The aim of this project is to study the effect of natural oscillations of the aragonite saturation horizon, via the shoaling and breaking solitons and formation of solibores, on coral calcification in marginal reefs. Marginal reefs mark the transition between flourishing coral reefs on the one hand, and rocky bottom devoid of macroskeletal organisms on the other. Such reefs occur under conditions where calcium carbonate accretion balances corrosion/erosion. In coral reefs subjected to solibores, including the Andaman Sea (Thailand), the Celebes Sea (Indonesia) and the Sulu Sea (Philippines), the transition from reef to rock occurs over scales of only ~100 m, between the solibore-protected and the solibore-exposed sides of the island. Marginal reefs at the flexion point provide a unique opportunity to assess tipping points in aragonite saturation state with regard to net coral calcification, and to explore the synergies between aragonite saturation, and other parameters (e.g. temperature, nutrients) associated with solibores.

Dr. Gertraud Schmidt

Prof. Dr. Claudio Richter