Geochemical Consequences of Increased Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide on Coral Reefs

摘要: A coral reef represents the net accumulation of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) produced by corals and other calcifying organisms. If calcification declines, then reef-building capacity also declines. Coral depends on saturation state mineral aragonite surface waters. By middle next century, an increased concentration carbon dioxide will decrease in tropics 30 percent biogenic precipitation 14 to percent. reefs are particularly threatened, because organisms secrete metastable forms CaCO3, but biogeochemical consequences marine ecosystems may be equally severe.