Coral calcification mechanisms in a warming ocean and the interactive effects of temperature and light

Abstract Ocean warming is transforming the world’s coral reefs, which are governed by growth of marine calcifiers, most notably branching corals. Critical to skeletal corals’ regulation their internal chemistry promote calcification. Here we investigate effects temperature and light on calcifying fluid (using boron isotope systematics), calcification rates, metabolic rates photo-physiology Acropora nasuta during two mesocosm experiments simulating seasonal static regimes. Under regime, carbonate chemistry, productivity responded both changes in light. However, under conditions artificially prolonged exposure summer temperatures resulted heat stress a heightened sensitivity Our results indicate that physiology mechanisms interactive context-specific, making it essential conduct realistic multi-variate dynamic order predict how will respond ocean warming.