Soft, Caribbean Gorgonian Corals Fight Against Ocean Acidification

It turns out that tropical shallow-water soft corals may actually be resistant to ocean acidification. Scientists have examined a type of corals, called gorgonians, and have found that they were able to calcify and grow even under elevated carbon dioxide concentrations.

As more carbon dioxide enters the atmosphere, more of this gas also centers the ocean. This, in turn, causes the acidity of ocean waters to increase. Because calcium carbonate is affected by acidity, these conditions can hinder the growth of corals.

In this case, the researchers collected Eunicea fusca specimens from the Florida Keys. Then, they placed them in water in a simulated range of predicted ocean acidification conditions during a four-week experiment. While the soft coral showed a negative response to calcification under elevated CO2 concentrations, growth and calcification didn't stop under any of the CO2 levels.

"Our results suggest that gorgonian coral may be more resilient than other reef-dwelling species to the ocean acidification changes that are expected to occur in the oceans as a result of climate change," said Chris Langdon, one of the researchers, in a news release. "These findings will allow us to better predict the future composition of coral reef communities under the current 'business-as-usual scenario."

The findings reveal that these corals may be able to withstand climate change in the future. Gorgonian corals form complex structures that provide an essential habitat for other important reef-dwelling organisms. If these corals can withstand higher concentrations of CO2, it's possible that there may be a way to help preserve reefs in the future.

The findings are published in the journal Coral Reef.