Community calcification in Lizard Island, Great Barrier Reef: a 33 year perspective

摘要: Abstract Measurements of community calcification ( G net ) were made during September 2008 and October 2009 on a reef flat in Lizard Island, Great Barrier Reef, Australia, 33 years after the first measurements there by LIMER expedition 1975. In we measured  = 61 ± 12 54 ± 13 mmol CaCO 3  m −2 ·day −1 , respectively. These rates are 27–49% lower than those same season 1975–76. agree well with estimated from temperature degree aragonite saturation using rate equation developed observations Red Sea coral reef. Community structure surveys across Island our study methods employed 1978 showed that live coverage had not changed significantly (∼8%). However, it should be noted uncertainty estimates this fairly large inherent to methodology. Using while assuming seawater above was at equilibrium atmospheric PCO 2 given cover have declined 30 ± 8% since as indeed observed. We note, however, error decrease relative 1970’s could much larger due uncertainties measurements. Nonetheless, similarity between predicted suggests ocean acidification may primary cause for CaCO precipitation flat.