Development of ocean acidification flow-thru experimental raceway units (OAFTERU), simulating the future reefs in the Keys, today : final report.

Abstract

This project involves the development of a unique water system that can be used as an ocean acidification testing location for Florida Keys corals and other reef species. This will be developed and tested over the course of the year providing results to potentially allow the establishment of the Summerland Keys Mote Marine Facility as a permanent ocean acidification testing facility. The objectives are to demonstrate that the water system at the Mote facility in Summerland Key, Florida, can provide a range of seawater pH values, making it suitable as a testing facility for ocean acidification; and to determine the effect of different pH concentrations from the system at the Mote facility in Summerland Key on three different coral reef species and one other calcifying snail species found on the reef or surrounding habitat.