A new study led by researchers at the University of Miami (UM) Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science has found that submarine springs can help protect coral reefs from the effects of ocean acidification.
The study, published in the journal Nature Communications, found that submarine springs release alkaline water that can help to neutralize the acidic water that is harming coral reefs. This finding could have important implications for the conservation of coral reefs, which are home to a diverse array of marine life.
"Our study shows that submarine springs can act as a buffer against ocean acidification," said Chris Langdon, professor of marine biology and ecology at the UM Rosenstiel School and lead author of the study. "This is important news for coral reefs, which are under threat from a variety of human activities, including climate change."
Ocean acidification is caused by the absorption of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere by the ocean. This process lowers the pH of the ocean water, making it more acidic. Acidic water can dissolve the calcium carbonate skeletons of corals, making them more susceptible to disease and death.
Submarine springs are natural outlets for groundwater that discharge into the ocean. The water in submarine springs is often alkaline, which means that it has a high pH. This alkaline water can help to neutralize the acidic water that is harming coral reefs.
The study found that submarine springs can release enough alkaline water to raise the pH of the water around coral reefs by up to 0.5 units. This may seem like a small change, but it can make a big difference for coral reefs. Even a small increase in pH can help to protect corals from the effects of ocean acidification.
"Our study shows that submarine springs can play an important role in protecting coral reefs from ocean acidification," said Langdon. "This is good news for coral reefs, and it gives us hope that we can protect these important ecosystems from the effects of climate change."
The study was conducted at two coral reefs in the Florida Keys: Looe Key and Key Largo Dry Rocks. The researchers measured the pH of the water around the coral reefs and found that it was higher near submarine springs. They also found that the corals near submarine springs were healthier than corals that were not near submarine springs.
The researchers believe that submarine springs could be used to help protect coral reefs from ocean acidification. One way to do this would be to create artificial submarine springs by pumping alkaline water into the ocean. Another way to protect coral reefs would be to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide that is released into the atmosphere.
"Ocean acidification is a serious threat to coral reefs, but our study shows that there is hope," said Langdon. "We can protect coral reefs by reducing the amount of carbon dioxide that is released into the atmosphere and by creating artificial submarine springs."
