[Coral-List] COT in Red Sea and Gulf Area
maha ebeid
mlebeid3 at hotmail.com
Thu Jan 22 17:23:37 EST 2009
Dear David, Iain, Karl and list,
COT outbreaks was recorded in Hurghada (Egyptian Red Sea proper) covering vast areas of corals during 2001. And as David mentioned the salinity here reaches 41 and we can get a water temp up to more than 20 oC in summer. however, one of our colluges suggested the reason to the overfishing of COT predators like the trigger fishes.
Dr. Yasser Geneid
Marine Ecology Division,
National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries,
Ataqa, Suez,
Egypt
Mob:+20106063189
> Date: Tue, 20 Jan 2009 17:06:30 +0000
> From: MedioD at halcrow.com
> To: coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
> Subject: [Coral-List] COT in Red Sea and Gulf Area
>
> Re Salinity as a limiting factor, COT explosions have been recorded in
> Ras Mohammed (Northern Red Sea) in the past and as far as I can remember
> salinity is high there too.
>
> Could the constraints (in Qatar and other parts of the Gulf) not be more
> linked to the yearly ranges in temperature and in some parts salinity as
> well.
>
> Dr David Medio
> Associate Director, Environment
> Halcrow Group Ltd, Arndale Centre, Otley Rd, Headingley, Leeds, LS6 2UL,
> UK
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> -----Original Message-----
> From: coral-list-bounces at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
> [mailto:coral-list-bounces at coral.aoml.noaa.gov] On Behalf Of
> coral-list-request at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
> Sent: 20 January 2009 17:00
> To: coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
> Subject: Coral-List Digest, Vol 5, Issue 20
>
> Send Coral-List mailing list submissions to
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> Today's Topics:
>
> 1. Re: SPPI Report (Tom Lo)
> 2. Re: COTS observations, Leyte (Marga McElroy)
> 3. Micornesia Challenge Communications Specialist Vacancy
> Announcement (Yimnang Golbuu)
> 4. Re: COT current status (Fadlalla, Yusef H)
> 5. Over fishing contributing to ocean acidification? (Gene Shinn)
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Message: 1
> Date: Mon, 19 Jan 2009 10:49:11 -0600
> From: Tom Lo <tolope at gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [Coral-List] SPPI Report
> To: coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov, Coral-List
> <coral-list at aoml.noaa.gov.aoml.noaa.gov>
> Message-ID:
> <b5c609e40901190849v275661e8n7609711788f37b2 at mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
>
> Hi listers.
>
> I don't agree to call opponents in science to those who think different,
> or
> interpret in a different manner the same proofs we get. I think
> that debating anxiusly with this people for our point of view to be
> accepted
> just makes wider the gap (which is not a favorable situation from a
> political point of view, where political groups could go after the best
> economic proposal). No one can be sure that the interpretation made from
> a
> resarch is the absolute truth (i.e. previous messages from Gene and
> Lister's about a journalist's interpretations of Ove statements), and I
> think this also applies for the GCC controversial situation. Every paper
> we
> publish or word-idea we give is our *bona fide* contribution to science
> and
> to society, but taking the risk that our contributions can eventually be
> refuted.
>
> Tha actual atmospheric CO2 levels, the intensity and magnitude of
> oceanic
> and meteorological events, the glacial melting by higher T?,... ; lead
> us to
> question about the future of nature and human kind. The issue is not
> just to
> keep asking about the cause-consequences and relation between this facts
> (which always is gona be a controversial issue, even if there are a lot
> of
> scientific basis), but to look for what we could do about it to
> adapt and mitigate this situation. If the GCC is a fact we must take
> action
> now, but if not, we could keep with our life style. The bottom line is
> that
> "maybe" we won't have a second chance to find an answer, so modifying
> our
> life style is the minor risk we could get. And this is mainly a
> political
> issue.
>
> Regards,
>
> Tom?s
> 2009/1/17 RainbowWarriorsInternational <southern_caribbean at yahoo.com>
>
> > Dear listers,
> >
> > I have read the SPPI report, and have some questions.
> >
> > Is this report the first one of its kind to venture this
> "ThermoSolarStat"
> > concept and this ridiculous notion that the planet keeps the ocean
> > temperature fluctuating between 28 and 30 degrees, or plus or minus
> one (1)
> > degree the threshold temperature for corals?
> >
> > This other issue is even more ridiculous, this "symbiont shuffling
> > hypothesis", and then the suggestions that climate change and sea
> level rise
> > are "beneficial" for coral growth.
> >
> > The most outrageous point however is the CO2 increase and increasing
> > acidification of the oceans not harming corals.
> >
> > After reading the report I would to get a shortlist of articles and
> reports
> > that refute all these allegations.
> >
> > An important question remains, for which audience was this report
> published
> > and to whom has it been distributed, and where has it been commented
> on the
> > media?
> >
> > In my organization we do not have marine biologists readily at our
> disposal
> > as full paid staff, so when the time comes that we must debunk bad
> science
> > as well, we depend on others.
> >
> > For practical purposes, has anyone ever bothered to make a listing and
> keep
> > it updated on bad marine biology science as related to global warming
> > climate change etc.?
> >
> > I am almost sure of the fact that our opponents have a fully updated
> > reference list of climate change-alarmist literature and actors in
> this
> > field.
> >
> > It is important to know your opponent.
> >
> > Milton Ponson, President
> > Rainbow Warriors Core Foundation
> > (Rainbow Warriors International) Tel. +297 568 5908
> > PO Box 1154, Oranjestad
> > Aruba, Dutch Caribbean
> > Email: southern_caribbean at yahoo.com Web Sites:
> > http://www.southerncaribbean..org http://www.rainbowwarriors.net
> > (Global)
> > http://www.projectparadigm.info
> >
> > To unite humanity in a global society dedicated to a sustainable way
> of
> > life
> >
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > Coral-List mailing list
> > Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
> > http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/mailman/listinfo/coral-list
> >
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 2
> Date: Mon, 19 Jan 2009 18:51:19 -0500
> From: Marga McElroy <margamcel at hotmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [Coral-List] COTS observations, Leyte
> To: coral list coral list <coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov>
> Message-ID: <COL117-W4067B3577CA7674F394B81B0D30 at phx.gbl>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="Windows-1252"
>
>
> Greetings
> As a non-scientific observor, knowing nothing about the nutrient loading
> in the area I have recently observed COTS while diving in southern Sogod
> Bay, especially on the East side. Perhaps the info will be of use to
> someone knowledgeable enough to use it."Marga"Marguerite K. McElroyU.S.
> Peace Corps VolunteerCampaclan, Sibulan 6201Negros OrientalPhilippines
> _________________________________________________________________
> Windows Live?: Keep your life in sync.
> http://windowslive.com/howitworks?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_t1_allup_howitworks_
> 012009
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 3
> Date: Tue, 20 Jan 2009 12:10:03 +0900
> From: "Yimnang Golbuu" <ygolbuu at gmail.com>
> Subject: [Coral-List] Micornesia Challenge Communications Specialist
> Vacancy Announcement
> To: "Coral List" <coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov>
> Cc: "Charlene T. Mersai" <micronesiachallenge at gmail.com>
> Message-ID: <8970F05E165342F2894CC29138CEE313 at YIM>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
>
> Micronesia Challenge
>
>
>
> Job Vacancy Announcement
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> JOB TITLE: MICRONESIA CHALLENGE COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST
>
> CLOSING DATE: February 13, 2009
>
> TO APPLY: Send cover letter and resume to Charlene Mersai at
> micronesiachallenge at gmail.com
>
>
>
>
>
> BACKGROUND:
>
>
>
> The Micronesia Challenge (MC) is a globally unique effort, and is
> unprecedented in its collaborative regional approach to achieving
> conservation goals. As such, the MC has the potential to attract both
> international and national funding as well as fostering pride in island
> residents as leaders in this unique conservation effort. To fully
> maximize this potential however, a coordinated, strategic, and sustained
> marketing strategy, which highlights local success stories at a regional
> and national level, must be implemented.
>
>
>
> Social marketing and communication strategies are now recognized as
> critical components to successful conservation efforts. Ultimately,
> conservation is about people. We do not manage resources; we manage how
> people interact with these resources. The question is no longer whether
> to involve local communities in conservation, but how.
>
>
>
> While most jurisdictions have some level of a public participation plan,
> and an outreach professional working on engaging local communities in
> conservation, most have also noted "community support and participation"
> as a challenge to their efforts. These local professionals will become
> essential in spreading the messages and goals of the Micronesia
> Challenge to local stakeholders, and fostering public participation in
> management actions towards achieving the MC goals. However, they need
> support to further develop strong social marketing messages, and gain
> skills to effectively foster environmental stewardship. It is essential
> to provide long term support to local coordinators as they carry out
> public awareness strategies in their local jurisdictions.
>
>
>
> Finally, there is currently no mechanism for developing a regional
> marketing approach that emphasizes the unique nature of the Challenge
> and garners further financial and technical support both nationally and
> internationally. It is unrealistic to assume that locally-based
> coordinators can carry out regional MC communications. Their limited
> time and technical resources must be prioritized for local initiatives.
> A truly integrated and successful approach requires an individual with
> highly developed technical marketing skills that can carry out public
> opinion research, craft effective messages, and implement a sustained
> and targeted campaign.
>
>
>
>
>
> AIM:
>
>
>
> Raising public awareness of environmental concerns and how to address
> these concerns is a central component of any strategy to conserve
> biodiversity and promote the sustainable use of natural resources. The
> Micronesia Challenge is a unique and unprecedented conservation
> endeavor. At the regional level, it requires a:
>
>
>
> 1.. specialized, effective, regional marketing campaign that conveys a
> regional message, showcases the participating jurisdictions' successes,
> and ultimately attracts foreign and/or national investment;
> 2.. a reliable communications plan that coordinates regional events
> and oversees the flow of information between jurisdictions and the
> greater international community; and
> 3.. a system that provides technical support to the existing outreach
> and education strategies of the local jurisdictions.
>
>
>
>
> ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
>
>
>
> The Micronesia Challenge Communications Specialist (MCCS) position will
> assist the five Micronesia Challenge (MC) jurisdictions (The
> Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Federated States of
> Micronesia, Guam, the Republic of Palau, and The Republic of the
> Marshall Islands) through development of marketing materials and
> technical assistance. Specifically, the role of the MCCS will include
> but not be limited to:
>
> ? Work with MC Coordinator, MC Communications Team and MC
> Support team to further develop and implement a regional MC
> Communications Plan, ensuring the MC is positioned appropriately at
> important national, regional and international events as they arise.
>
> ? Assist MC Coordinator to liaise with donors, the media and the
> general public to elevate global recognition and support for the
> Challenge
>
> ? Craft regional messages highlighting local success stories
>
> ? Work with MC Champions (and Champions Coordinator) to support
> implementation of communications plan
>
> ? Provide support and training for local coordinators as
> appropriate
>
> ? Serve as Web administrator of a regional Web site that will
> link to existing local web-based information and house communication
> tools.
>
> ? Bring expertise and training to local jurisdictions to support
> jurisdictional efforts
>
> ? Coordinate regional events (e.g. MC Festival/Meeting,
> training)
>
> ? Compile regional reports highlighting local efforts
>
> ? Disseminate branding tools and ensure consistency of brand in
> all MC Communications materials
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> QUALIFICATIONS:
>
>
>
> Knowledge/Skills:
>
> ? Bachelor's degree in English, Journalism, Social marketing or
> related field and at least 3 years related experience or equivalent
> combination.
>
> ? Excellent written and oral communication skills.
>
> ? Good interpersonal skills, including the ability to
> effectively pitch news/feature stories and work with media on deadline.
>
> ? Sound judgment, professionalism and, especially, discretion
> while serving as the media spokesperson for the Micronesia Challenge.
>
> ? Demonstrated experience in MS Office, Word, and Excel. May
> require database management skills with ability to produce reports.
> Ability to use advanced computer functions including navigating the
> Internet. Ability to manipulate, analyse and interpret data.
>
> ? Ability to organize time and manage diverse activities. Meet
> deadlines.
>
> ? Must be able to present ideas and concepts clearly and in a
> culturally considerate context and to work effectively within the region
> other MC partners.
>
> ? Preference given to candidates from or with experience in
> Micronesia or other Pacific Islands.
>
>
>
> Communications/Interpersonal Contacts:
>
> ? Communication and presentation skills; ability to persuasively
> convey the mission of MC to diverse groups including donors, the public
> and others.
>
> ? Ability to communicate and coordinate with multiple
> stakeholders (e.g. local outreach focal points, MC Coordinator, donors,
> the public, donors, and others) over long distances.
>
> ? Ability to work closely with a team of people to develop and
> implement project plans
>
> ? Solicit MC support through clear written communications,
> including proposal writing and other written materials.
>
>
>
> Problem Solving/Decision-Making Responsibility:
>
> ? Coordinate multiple projects with several variables, set
> realistic deadlines, and manage a timeline.
>
> ? Interpret guidelines and analyse factual information to adapt
> or modify processes in response to changing circumstances.
>
> ? Duties may require non-routine analysis, research and
> follow-through.
>
> ? Work independently without requiring detailed management
> review of general work.
>
> ? Financial responsibility may include working within a budget
> to complete projects, negotiating and contracting with vendors,
> assisting with budget development, and meeting fundraising targets.
>
>
>
> Working Conditions/Physical Effort:
>
> ? Ability to adapt to dynamic working schedules and
> environments, including regional travel
>
> ? Ability to work under stress during peak workload periods.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> PLACE AND PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE:
>
>
>
> a.. The MCCS will be supervised by the MC Regional Coordinator,
> Charlene Mersai, based in Palau.
> b.. Work hours will vary according to task being performed but will
> average 40 hours per week.
> c.. Regional travel may be required to perform certain tasks.
> d.. MC Regional Office and host partner organization will provide
> office space, computer, phone, and administrative support.
> e.. The period of performance for this contract is 1 year from the
> date of award.
>
>
> Location TBD- finding the right candidate with the right skills is the
> highest priority
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> SALARY:
>
>
>
> a.. $35,000 to $40,000 per annum
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 4
> Date: Mon, 19 Jan 2009 13:28:57 +0300
> From: "Fadlalla, Yusef H" <yusef.fadlalla at aramco.com>
> Subject: Re: [Coral-List] COT current status
> To: "dr_iamacdonald at yahoo.co.uk" <dr_iamacdonald at yahoo.co.uk>,
> "Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov"
> <Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov>,
> "info at crcreef.com" <info at crcreef.com>, Karl & Michele
> <michka at fellenius.net>
> Message-ID:
> <64539150B8671E4B8C14A59C154617E3070B5AF1E2 at EMAILC.aramco.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
>
> Iain,
>
> We have no record of COT sighting from Saudi Arabian reefs in the ROPME
> Sea Area. Are you suggesting that the COT was sighted in Qatar?
>
> Yusef Fadlalla
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: coral-list-bounces at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
> [mailto:coral-list-bounces at coral.aoml.noaa.gov] On Behalf Of Iain
> Macdonald
> Sent: Sunday, January 18, 2009 9:56 AM
> To: Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov; info at crcreef.com; Karl & Michele
> Subject: Re: [Coral-List] COT current status
>
> Karl and list,
>
> I have a different question on COT to those posed by Karl and Michele
> stimulated by a recent presentation on local (Qatar) threats to coral
> reefs. COT was one of the threats. However, i was under the impression
> that COT did not exist this far into the ROPME Sea Area since the
> salinity (typically between 39-42) was to high for junvenile survival.
> Have i been misinformed about juvenile survival? If the COT do not exist
> here (which is true as far as i know) i do not want people to mis-direct
> their efforts in reef conservation on a red herring (pardon the pun).
>
> How far do COT expand into the area? If you work in Iran/UAE (or any
> other country in the neighbourhood) let me know the furthest extent of a
> sighting please.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Iain Macd.
>
> --- On Fri, 16/1/09, Karl & Michele <michka at fellenius.net> wrote:
>
> From: Karl & Michele <michka at fellenius.net>
> Subject: [Coral-List] COT current status
> To: Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov, info at crcreef.com
> Date: Friday, 16 January, 2009, 2:23 AM
>
> Dear coral list and CRC,
>
> I have been looking at the 2003 CRC info doc on crown of thorns at
> www.reef.crc.org.au/publications/brochures/COTS_web_Nov2003.pdf as well
> as a
> few other web publications.
>
> I do environmental assessments in Vanuatu and currently there is a COT
> outbreak on Efate. I am seeking fairly specific references to published
> works on linkages between nutrients, algae and COTs. Not so much from a
> coastal run-off perspective but more related to harvesting of herbivores
> and
> omnivores in the aquarium trade. Efate has an very active fish and
> invertebrate export. COT outbreaks are occurring in their collection
> areas
> as well as a number of other areas. I realise there are numerous factors
> at
> play. Last year this was a fairly heated topic here with many differing
> opinions and official responses denying any connections between the
> trade
> and COTs. However, both 'outbreaks' continue on Efate ...
>
> I have been asked by a group made up of villagers, ex-pat residents, and
> others seeking answers to these questions to do what I can. My
> background is
> such that I believe these hypotheses to be true, although I have not
> carried
> out the research. I trust that others have. After last years' mess on
> this
> subject I have maintained a fairly low profile but now there are many
> people
> here that are furious that nothing beyond individual groups doing COT
> removals has been done. So I find myself reluctantly re-entering the
> discussion of trying to persuade players that should know better, again..
> I
> am not entering that foray again without published references.
>
> I am looking for references on any of the following points. I am not
> looking
> for an emotional back-and-forth between proponents and opponents of the
> aquarium trade. The coral list has already been used for that.
>
> Pre-outbreak stimuli
> -Quite a bit of research suggests that COTs thrive in the presence of
> pollution and algae that ensues. A lot of that comes from excessive
> nutrient
> discharges in areas of run-off, like Mele Bay.
> Moreover, further research suggests that nutrient discharges can
> actually
> stimulate reproduction in COTs, outside of their normal spawning times
> in
> Dec & Jan (when, by the way, COTs should not be collected because
> handling can trigger early spawning). Other research goes yet further
> and suggests that loss of herbivores and omnivores can stimulate
> existing
> COTs to eat more, and faster. This happens because in the absence of
> such fish in particular, there is more algae and especially
> cyanobacteria
> left on the reef. And that brings us back to the first point above, that
> COTs thrive in algae conditions. So its really about what causes the
> algae,
> not so much as what causes the COTs directly. There is correlation
> between
> aquarium fish collection and COTs outbreaks with respect to the issue of
> the algae. It makes sense. Albeit this has not conclusively been shown
> to
> be cause-effect, only a correlation. It is just my personal opinion and
> the
> opinion of others that actually study
> the matter. There is a heck of alot of 'bad' algae around in current
> fish
> collection areas, particularly in Mele Bay. This might help to explain
> the
> COT explosion on Efate (fish collection and nutrient pollution) and
> possibly
> Santo (some nutrient pollution), but not on Epi.
>
>
> -Research is not out yet on pelagic and benthic movement of COTs. Some
> people speculate that spawning COTs in Fiji are one reason behind the
> COTs
> here. I find that a bit far-fetched but who knows? I've seen juveniles,
> but
> not anything near larval stages. Could this be the source for COTs on
> Epi? I
> don't really know. The point is that it doesn't have to be the same
> reason
> everywhere. Its a mixed bag, as with most disturbances in the marine
> environment. It is also possible that the Epi population came from
> Efate. I
> heard that a few years back it was on Emae, before it hit North Efate.
> From
> Emae to Epi makes sense, but why Emae?
>
> -It is clear that the Triton shell and the Napoleon are natural
> predators of
> COTs. But is their depletion through local consumption enough to explain
> Epi? I doubt it. Its definitely a contributor though.
>
>
> Post-outbreak response
> -It is clear however that coral recruitment on COTs impacted reefs (or
> any
> impacted reefs that have lost coral) will decrease if hervivores and
> omnivores are in less supply than normal. The algae prevents new coral
> from
> settling. Moreover, dead coral covered in algae breaks off, and
> contributes
> to loose rubble further limiting coral recruitment not to mention same
> rubble that moves around in surge which damages surviving corals. Thus I
> sincerely believe
> that what we are losing now in terms of coral cover on Efate will not
> come
> back until herbivore and omnivore fish populations return to normal.
> Even
> then it will take a long time, considering all the pollution and global
> climate stressors acting concurrently. Even then it may be too little,
> too late. That in my mind is potentially a much more far-reaching issue
> than determining what is causing the outbreak in the first place.
>
>
> The latter point is sufficient in my mind to take a good, hard look at
> the
> impacts of the aquarium trade here in Vanuatu.
>
> Thank you,
>
> Karl
>
>
> **
> Karl Fellenius, Director &
> Michele Dricot, Manager
>
> Vaughani Shores Vanuatu
> Pangona Estates, Efate
> Postal Box 3158
> Port Vila
> VANUATU
>
> office +678 29273 (AWARE)
> mobileK +678 7773329
> mobileM +678 7773326
> email VaughaniShores at vanuatu.com.vu
> web http://www.diveVanuatu.org
> **
> _______________________________________________
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>
>
>
>
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> ------------------------------
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> Message: 5
> Date: Mon, 19 Jan 2009 10:48:36 -0500
> From: Gene Shinn <eshinn at marine.usf.edu>
> Subject: [Coral-List] Over fishing contributing to ocean
> acidification?
> To: coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
> Message-ID: <a06230907c59a4feb9da8@[131.247.137.127]>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed"
>
> An interesting article about an article published in Science. Gene
>
> Fish an ally against climate change
>
> * New Scientist 13:02 16 January 2009 by Catherine Brahic
>
> An unlikely ally may have been found in the fight against the effects
> of climate change. Fish excretions seem to play a key role in
> maintaining the ocean's delicate pH balance, says a study that also
> reveals that there are 2 billion tonnes of fish in the world's oceans.
>
> Bony fish excrete lumps of calcium carbonate, known as "gut rocks"
> which are thought to dissolve in the upper layers of the ocean. A
> team led by Rod Wilson of the University of Exeter in the UK has now
> shown that the sheer amount of gut rocks produced plays a key role in
> buffering the carbon dioxide that acidifies seawater.
>
> "This study really is the first glimpse of the huge impact fish have
> on our carbon cycle - and why we need them in the ocean," says
> Wilson's colleague Villy Christensen of the University of British
> Columbia in Canada.
>
> Protective role
>
> While marine biologists have known for some time that fish produce
> gut rocks, until now no-one had estimated just how much calcium
> carbonate is spewed out into the ocean in this way.
>
> It was widely believed that most marine carbonate is provided by the
> external skeletons of marine plankton. These microscopic organisms
> are likely to be hard hit as climate change increases the acidity of
> the oceans and their skeletons literally dissolve away.
>
> The new study reveals that fish play an important role in stopping
> this from happening.
> ferent models to estimate the amount of fish biomass that is in the
> global oceans, and its distribution.
>
> By drinking salt water, fish ingest a lot of calcium, and they
> excrete more or less calcium carbonate depending on their size and
> the temperature of the water. "For a given total mass of fish,
> smaller fish produce more than bigger fish, and fish at higher
> temperatures produce more than fish at lower temperatures," explains
> Wilson.
>
> Surprise finding
>
> The team then used data on how much carbonate fish produce on average
> to calculate how much the fish biomass represented in their computer
> models are likely to excrete.
>
> This revealed that between 3% and 15% of all the calcium carbonate
> produced in the oceans comes from fish. Wilson says this is a
> conservative estimate - he and his team think the real figure could
> be three times higher.
>
> "I expect it will be a big surprise to most of the ocean scientists
> who study the ocean carbon cycle," says Wilson. "Apart from a handful
> of fish biologists around the world, the scientific community were
> previously unaware that fish produce of any of this chalky mineral,
> let alone enough to be significant on a global scale."
>
> Eric Achterberg of the National Oceanography Centre in Southampton,
> UK, says the study offers an insight into an underrepresented marine
> process. "Whether the fish carbonate is really an important
> contribution to the mid-water alkalinity is not certain yet and forms
> an excellent topic of research," he says.
>
> 'Unrecognised allies'
>
> Wilson agrees that it is not yet certain whether the gut rocks do
> indeed dissolve in the upper layers of the ocean. Their chemical
> structure suggests that they are very soluble in seawater and should
> readily dissolve. But if future studies show this does not happen,
> this will mean the gut rocks sink to the bottom of the ocean without
> dissolving and buffering the oceans.
>
> Because fish carbonate production goes up with temperature, fish are
> likely to produce more carbonate - and be more effective buffers of
> ocean acidity - as temperatures increase through global warming.
> That's the good news. The bad news is that overfishing may have an
> additional downside: in addition to depleting food stocks, it could
> also deplete the precious carbonate buffer.
>
> Because of the complexity of ocean chemistry, "we cannot really say
> much with any confidence about how overfishing might affect ocean
> acidification says Wilson. "But we definitely need to study this more
> to help make better predictions about these future changes."
>
> "We must buck the current trend of clear-cutting of the oceans and
> foster these unrecognised allies against climate change," says
> Christensen.
>
> Journal reference: Science (DOI: 10.1126/science.1157972)
>
> --
>
>
> No Rocks, No Water, No Ecosystem (EAS)
> ------------------------------------ -----------------------------------
> E. A. Shinn, Courtesy Professor
> University of South Florida
> Marine Science Center (room 204)
> 140 Seventh Avenue South
> St. Petersburg, FL 33701
> <eshinn at marine.usf.edu>
> Tel 727 553-1158----------------------------------
> -----------------------------------
>
>
> ------------------------------
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