Background
About
Interactions between biology, hydrology, and chemistry can help us understand how quickly coral and algae are growing. Coral calcification and dissolution, and organic photosynthesis and respiration can be measured by looking at the water chemistry in an ecosystem - termed "ecosystem metabolism". I analyse water samples collected in-situ in the laboratory for total alkalinity and dissolved inorganic carbon. Rates of ecosystem metabolism can be compared over time and space to investigate differences in reefs due to natural variability or as a result of disturbance, such as coral bleaching events.
Research areas
coral reef, calcification, organic productivity, submarine groundwater discharge, carbonate chemistry, biogeochemistry, climate change
