I want to know which is the best part to look at to compare if coral calcification is affected by in situ low pH environment. I've been reading papers but I can't pinpoint which part they are looking at under SEM. My fragments are from the genus Porites, Goniopora, and Platygyra.
#corals #calcification #microstructures #skeleton
Hi Joana,
I am not 100% sure what questions you are asking but if you are interested to compare the effects of ocean acidification (i.e., lower pH) on coral skeletons you have some options. Looking and comparing basic skeletal corallite structures at macro-morphological (e.g., corallite diameter and wall thickness; septal and costoseptal thickness and high) and micro-morphological levels (e.g., septal teeth height) would be relatively easy. You can look at the thickness and porosity of the skeletal material in general. Recently new studies have been done on pH effects on crystallographic features of coral skeletons (see attached paper). I hope the attached papers will assist you in getting your answer, the reference sections are full of good papers.
Cheers,
Tom