New paper discovers a 'major source' of alkalinity that might protect reefs from 'acidification'

A new paper published in Biogeosciences finds groundwater and porewater are "major sources" of alkalinity to reefs which are not taken into account by computer models of ocean 'acidification'. The authors "suggest that porewater and groundwater fluxes of TA [total alkalinity] should be taken into account in ocean acidification models in order to properly address changing carbonate chemistry within coral reef ecosystems." Note also that studies in the laboratory of the effect of 'acidification' upon various organisms also fail to consider this moderating "major source" of alkalinity.

Biogeosciences, 10, 2467-2480, 2013
www.biogeosciences.net/10/2467/2013/
doi:10.5194/bg-10-2467-2013
Groundwater and porewater as major sources of alkalinity to a fringing coral reef lagoon (Muri Lagoon, Cook Islands)

T. Cyronak, I. R. Santos, D. V. Erler, and B. D. Eyre
Centre for Coastal Biogeochemistry, School of Environment, Science and Engineering, Southern Cross University, Lismore, New South Wales, Australia
 Abstract. To better predict how ocean acidification will affect coral reefs, it is important to understand how biogeochemical cycles on reefs alter carbonate chemistry over various temporal and spatial scales. This study quantifies the contribution of shallow porewater exchange (as quantified from advective chamber incubations) and fresh groundwater discharge (as traced by ²²²Rn) to total alkalinity (TA) dynamics on a fringing coral reef lagoon along the southern Pacific island of Rarotonga over a tidal and daily cycle. Benthic alkalinity fluxes were affected by the advective circulation of water through permeable sediments, with net daily flux rates of carbonate alkalinity ranging from −1.55 to 7.76 mmol m⁻² d⁻¹, depending on the advection rate. Submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) was a source of TA to the lagoon, with the highest flux rates measured at low tide, and an average daily TA flux of 1080 mmol m⁻² d⁻¹ at the sampling site. Both sources of TA were important on a reef-wide basis, although SGD acted solely as a delivery mechanism of TA to the lagoon, while porewater advection was either a sink or source of TA dependent on the time of day. This study describes overlooked sources of TA to coral reef ecosystems that can potentially alter water column carbonate chemistry. We suggest that porewater and groundwater fluxes of TA [total alkalinity] should be taken into account in ocean acidification models in order to properly address changing carbonate chemistry within coral reef ecosystems.

 Final Revised Paper (PDF, 1775 KB)   Discussion Paper (BGD)