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PRODID:UW-Madison-Physics-Events
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SEQUENCE:0
UID:UW-Physics-Event-8439
DTSTART:20230928T230000Z
DTEND:20230929T010000Z
DTSTAMP:20260414T031157Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230927T204409Z
LOCATION:2241 Chamberlin
SUMMARY:Coral biomineralization vs. climate change\, Graduate Program
Event\, Pupa Gilbert\, Physics Faculty
DESCRIPTION:Coral reefs cover only 1% of ocean floors\, yet they host
25% of all known marine species. This incredible
\nbiodiversity is
sheltered by the 3D structure of coral skeletons. My group and I revea
led that corals form
\ntheir skeletons by attachment of amorphous c
alcium carbonate (ACC) nanoparticles\, then fill
\ninterstitial spa
ces by ion attachment. Subsequent crystallization starts as aragonite
(CaCO3)
\nnanocrystals\, randomly oriented and termed sprinkles\, w
hich coarsen and become radially oriented
\nacicular crystals terme
d spherulites. This is Nature’s 3D printing! The resulting space-fil
ling\, solid\,
\nisotropic structure grows slowly (0.5-5.0 cm/year)
to form m-km coral reefs visible from outer space.
\nCorals are th
reatened by climate change\, including ocean warming and acidification
. With acidification\,
\nthe solubility of CaCO3 increases\, thus\,
making it increasingly difficult for corals to build their skeletons\
,
\nespecially because the ACC transient precursor phase is more so
luble than aragonite. Different coral
\nspecies are differently sen
sitive to ocean acidification\, indicating that mechanistic biological
factors link
\nocean chemistry and CaCO3 mineral growth\, which we
are studying. My group’s research suggests two
\nscience-based i
nterventions to help coral reefs. First\, species selection based on r
esilience to acidification may allow repopulation of damaged reef ecos
ystems. Second\, we are building electrified grids on
\nwhich coral
s are expected to grow faster\, resist bleaching and acidification.
\n
URL:https://www.physics.wisc.edu/events/?id=8439
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