Abstract
Because the precipitation of calcium carbonate results in the sequestering of carbon, it frequently has been thought that coral reefs functions as sinks of global atmospheric CO2. However, the precipitation of calcium carbonate is accompanied by a shift of pH that results in the release of CO2. This release of CO2 is less in buffered sea water than fresh water systems; nevertheless, coral reefs are sources, not sinks, of atmospheric carbon. Using estimated rates of coral reef carbonate production, we compute that coral reefs release 0.02 to 0.08 Gt C as CO2 annually. This is approximately 0.4% to 1.4% of the current anthropogenic CO2 production due to fossil fuel combustion.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.