Experimental coral physiological and δ15N isotopic measurements in October 2012 at Reef Systems Coral Farm, Ohio.

Website: https://www.bco-dmo.org/dataset/839920
Data Type: experimental
Version: 1
Version Date: 2022-03-21

Project
» Interactive Effects of Temperature, Nutrients, and Ocean Acidification on Coral Physiology and Calcification (OA_coral_physiology)

Program
» Science, Engineering and Education for Sustainability NSF-Wide Investment (SEES): Ocean Acidification (formerly CRI-OA) (SEES-OA)
ContributorsAffiliationRole
Grottoli, Andréa G.Ohio State UniversityPrincipal Investigator
Dobson, KerriOhio State UniversityCo-Principal Investigator, Contact
Soenen, KarenWoods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI BCO-DMO)BCO-DMO Data Manager

Abstract
Experimental coral physiological and δ15N isotopic measurements in October 2012 at Reef Systems Coral Farm, Ohio.


Coverage

Spatial Extent: Lat:40.123 Lon:-82.782
Temporal Extent: 2012-10-06 - 2012-10-13

Dataset Description

Details of instruments used during the experiment can be found in Hoadley et al. (2016).

Other comments on the data:

  • No control data (treatment 1) for A. millepora.
  • No DOC or POC samples were collected for A. millepora.
  • No δ15N coral host data was collected for T. reniformis, and no δ15N whole data was collected for A. millepora.

Methods & Sampling

Prior to the start of this experiment in September 2012, six colonies of A. millepora and T. reniformis originally collected from 3-10m depth in Fiji (17°29’19”S, 177°23’39”E) were maintained for 18 months at 26.4°C ±0.04 SE in 3785 L recirculating indoor aquaria with artificial seawater (Instant Ocean Reef Crystals) in a greenhouse (700–1000 µmol quanta-1 m-2 s-1) at the Reef Systems Coral Farm mariculture facility in New Albany, Ohio (40°07'24"N, 82°46'55”W). In January 2012, A. millepora and T. reniformis colonies were divided into coral ramets (n=8 per colony), mounted on 5cm PVC tiles using EcoTech coral glue, and allowed to recover. On 6 August 2012, coral ramets were placed into indoor experimental tanks (57 L) with artificial light (Tek Light T5 actinic lights, 275 μmol quanta-1 m-2 s-1, 10:14 hours light:dark diurnal cycle) under ambient conditions (26.4°C, 402 μatm) and allowed to acclimate for four weeks.

The experimental systems in this study were previously outlined in Hoadley et al. (2016). Briefly, from 7 – 16 September 2012, treatment conditions were initiated: temperature, pCO2, and nutrients were gradually increased over the course of a week until target conditions in each treatment were reached to minimize shocking any of the corals. The treatments consisted of a control (26.4°C, 402 μatm), elevated pCO2 (26.4°C, 760 µatm), elevated temperature (29.8°C, 402 μatm), and combined elevated temperature and pCO2 (29.8°C, 760 μatm). Half of the tanks in each treatment were under ambient nutrient concentrations (0.41 μmol L-1 NO3- and 0.25 μmol L-1 PO4-3) and the other half under moderate nutrient concentrations (3.56 μmol L-1 NO3- and 0.31 μmol L-1 PO4-3). Experimental conditions (ramping plus target conditions) lasted for 30 days, and coral were fed fresh, two-day old Artemia nauplii (Carolina Biological Supply) twice each week.


Data Processing Description

Calcification. Net calcification was determined using the buoyant weight technique (Jokiel et al 1978). Each coral fragment was weighed at the beginning and end of the experiment. Buoyant weight was normalized to dry weight.

Gross photosynthesis. Gross photosynthesis was calculated from net photosynthesis and respiration; these measurements were made on the live coral fragments incubated in sealed chambers (Hoadley et al. 2016).

CZAR, CHARtoc, CTAR. Gross photosynthesis and respiration were used to calculate CZAR (Muscatine et al. 1981). Dissolved and particulate organic carbon samples (DOC and POC) were collected following incubations. DOC samples were analyzed using a Shimadzu TOC-L total organic carbon analyzer (using the 680°C combustion catalytic oxidation method) (Levas et al 2015). POC filters (GF/F) were acid fumigated (Levas et al 2015) and combusted in an Elementar Vario EL Cube/Micro Cube elemental analyzer interfaced to a PDZ Europa 20-20 isotope ratio mass spectrometer at the stable isotope facility at the University of California - Davis. CHARtoc was calculated using methods modified from Levas et al (2015). CZAR and CHARZOO were summed to yield CTAR (Grottoli et al. 2014).

For tissue analyses, corals were frozen at -80 degrees C and samples were either ground of airbrushed for further analyses.

Surface area. Surface area was measured on Acropora millepora using the wax-dipping technique (Veal et al. 2010) and on Turbinaria reniformis using the aluminum foil method (Marsh 1970).

Tissue biomass. Ash free dry weight was calculated using methods in McLachlan et al. (2020) on ground growing tips of A. millepora and water-picked tissue slurry of T. reniformis.

Chlorophyll a. A. millepora chlorophyll a was measured from tissue slurry using 100% acetone (Jeffrey & Humphrey 1975). T. reniformis chlorophyll data was from Hoadley et al. (2016).

Protein. Protein was measured using the bicinchoninic method (Smith et al. 1985) with bovine serum albumin as a standard (Pierce BCA Protein Assay Kit). This was carried out on air-brushed tissue slurry of A. millepora and water-picked and freeze-dried tissue slurry for T. reniformis. Protein was reported in Joules (Gnaiger & Bitterlich, 1984) and standardized to total biomass of the sub-sample.

Carbohydrates. Carbohydrates were measured using the phenol-sulfuric acid spectrophotometric method (Dubois et al. 1956) with glucose standards. This was carried out on air-brushed tissue slurry of A. millepora and ground T. reniformis. Carbohydrates were reported in Joules (Gnaiger & Bitterlich, 1984) and standardized to total biomass of the sub-sample.

Total lipids. Total lipids were measured using chloroform:methanol (2:1, v:v) with two KCl rinses (Baumann et al. 2014). This was carried out on air-brushed tissue slurry of A. millepora and water-piked and freeze-dried tissue slurry for T. reniformis. Total lipids were reported in Joules (Gnaiger & Bitterlich, 1984) and standardized to total biomass of the sub-sample.

δ15N isotopes (coral host, algal endosymbiont, whole tissue). Samples were prepped for isotopic analysis using a method modified from Hughes and Grottoli (2010). All A. millepora host and algal endosymbiont fractions, partitioned from airbrushed tissue slurry, were combusted in a Costech elemental analyzer and the resulting N2 gas analyzed with a Thermo Finnigan Delta IV stable isotope ratio mass spectrometer (SIRMS) via a ConFlow open split interface in the Grottoli Stable Isotope Biogeochemistry Lab at The Ohio State University. All T. reniformis whole (freeze-dried tissue slurry) and algal endosymbiont fractions were combusted in an Elementar Vario EL Cube/Micro Cube elemental analyzer interfaced to a PDZ Europa 20-20 SIRMS at the stable isotope facility at University of California - Davis. Repeated measurements of an internal standard had an average SD ±0.08‰ δ15N. The δ15N values of both species are reported as the per mil deviation of the ratio of stable nitrogen isotopes 15N:14N relative to air. Approximately 10% of A. millepora samples were run in duplicate with an average SD ± 0.21‰.

 

A Euclidean distance-based resemblance matrix was constructed using normalized data of primary physiological variables: P, calcification, biomass, protein, and total lipids. Non-metric multi-dimensional scaling (NMDS) plots were generated to visualize relationships between each coral ramet across all treatments, for each species. Analysis of similarities (ANOSIM) was used to evaluate the degree of dissimilarity among treatments. All multivariate analyses were conducted using the software package Primer v6 (Clarke & Gorley 2006). Prior to further statistical analysis, all data were tested for normality by a Shapiro-Wilk’s test and homogeneity of variance was assessed with plots of expected vs. residual values. Univariate three-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to test the effects of temperature, pCO2, nutrients, and genotype on each measured variable for each species. Temperature was fixed with 2 levels (26.4°C, 29.8°C), pCO2 fixed with 2 levels (401 μatm, 760 μatm), nutrients fixed with 2 levels (ambient, moderate). All univariate parametric statistics were generated using SAS software, Version 9.3 of the SAS System for Windows. Values of p ≤ 0.05 were considered significant.

Additional details of the statistical analysis are outlined in Dobson et al. 2020.


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Data Files

File
nutrients.csv
(Comma Separated Values (.csv), 12.69 KB)
MD5:8ff32ee405fa84a1a8e351081682560b
Primary data file for dataset ID 839920

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Related Publications

Cai, W.-J., Ma, Y., Hopkinson, B. M., Grottoli, A. G., Warner, M. E., Ding, Q., … Wang, Y. (2016). Microelectrode characterization of coral daytime interior pH and carbonate chemistry. Nature Communications, 7(1). doi:10.1038/ncomms11144
Methods
Dobson, K. L., Levas, S., Schoepf, V., Warner, M. E., Cai, W.-J., Hoadley, K. D., Yuan, X., Matsui, Y., Melman, T. F., & Grottoli, A. G. (2021). Moderate nutrient concentrations are not detrimental to corals under future ocean conditions. Marine Biology, 168(7). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-021-03901-3
Results
Grottoli, A. G., Dalcin Martins, P., Wilkins, M. J., Johnston, M. D., Warner, M. E., Cai, W.-J., … Schoepf, V. (2018). Coral physiology and microbiome dynamics under combined warming and ocean acidification. PLOS ONE, 13(1), e0191156. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0191156
Methods
Hoadley, K. D., Pettay, D. T., Grottoli, A. G., Cai, W.-J., Melman, T. F., Levas, S., … Warner, M. E. (2016). High-temperature acclimation strategies within the thermally tolerant endosymbiont Symbiodinium trenchii and its coral host, Turbinaria reniformis, differ with changing pCO 2 and nutrients. Marine Biology, 163(6). doi:10.1007/s00227-016-2909-8
Methods
Levas, S., Grottoli, A., Warner, M., Cai, W., Bauer, J., Schoepf, V., … Wang, Y. (2015). Organic carbon fluxes mediated by corals at elevated pCO2 and temperature. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 519, 153–164. doi:10.3354/meps11072
Methods
Schoepf, V., Grottoli, A. G., Warner, M. E., Cai, W.-J., Melman, T. F., Hoadley, K. D., … Baumann, J. H. (2013). Coral Energy Reserves and Calcification in a High-CO2 World at Two Temperatures. PLoS ONE, 8(10), e75049. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0075049
Methods
Yuan, X., Cai, W.-J., Meile, C., Hopkinson, B. M., Ding, Q., Schoepf, V., … Grottoli, A. G. (2018). Quantitative interpretation of vertical profiles of calcium and pH in the coral coelenteron. Marine Chemistry, 204, 62–69. doi:10.1016/j.marchem.2018.06.001
Methods

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Parameters

ParameterDescriptionUnits
Date_CollectedCollection date in ISO format (yyyy-mm-dd) unitless
LatitudeLatitude of sampling location, south is negative decimal degrees
LongitudeLongitude of sampling location, west is negative decimal degrees
SpeciesTaxonomic name of the coral species unitless
Sample_IDID number of the coral sample unitless
TreatmentNo description provided units
Temperature_WaterWater temperature units
pCO2Partial pressure of CO2 micro-atmospheres (µatm)
Nutrient_ConcentrationNutrient concentration of the water mol/L
GenotypeGenotype (parent colony) identifier unitless
Total_CalcificationCalcification rate across the entire experiment using buoyant weight, normalized to dry weight, and standardized to the surface area of the coral fragment milligrams per day per square centimeters (mg/day/cm2)
Gross_PhotosynthesisGross photosynthesis of the coral fragment in amount of oxygen produced, standardized to time and surface area of the fragment micromoles per minute per square centimeters (µmol/min/cm2)
CZARContribution of Zooxanthellae to Animal Respiration percentage (%)
CHARTOCContribution of Heterotrophy to Animal Respiration from total organic carbon, measured in percentage percentage (%)
CTARContribution of Total Acquired fixed carbon relative to animal Respiration, measured in percentage percentage (%)
Tissue_BiomassThe ash-free dry weight of the whole tissue (animal host and algal endosymbiont) standardized to surface area miligrams per square centimeters (mg/cm2)
Chlorophyll_aThe chlorophyll a content of the endosymbiont fraction, standardized to surface area of the fragment micrograms per square centimers (µg/cm2)
ProteinThe soluble protein content of the animal host fraction, converted into Joules and standardized to ash-free dry weight Joules per g ash-free dry weight (J/gdw)
CarbohydratesThe soluble carbohydrate content of the animal host fraction, converted into Joules and standardized to ash-free dry weight Joules per g ash-free dry weight (J/gdw)
Total_lipidsThe soluble lipid content of the combined animal host and algal endosymbiont fraction, converted to Joules and standardized to ash-free dry weight Joules per g ash-free dry weight (J/gdw)
Delta15N_WholeStable nitrogen isotopes of the combined animal host and algal endosymbiont, relative to air parts per thousand (‰)
Delta15N_Algal_EndosymbiontsStable nitrogen isotopes of the isolated algal endosymbiont, relative to air parts per thousand (‰)
Delta15N_Coral_HostStable nitrogen isotopes of the isolated animal host, relative to air parts per thousand (‰)


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Instruments

Dataset-specific Instrument Name
Thermo Finnigan Delta IV stable isotope ratio mass spectrometer
Generic Instrument Name
Isotope-ratio Mass Spectrometer
Dataset-specific Description
A. millepora δ15N samples measured on Costech elemental analyzer coupled to a Thermo Finnigan Delta IV stable isotope ratio mass spectrometer (EA-SIRMS).
Generic Instrument Description
The Isotope-ratio Mass Spectrometer is a particular type of mass spectrometer used to measure the relative abundance of isotopes in a given sample (e.g. VG Prism II Isotope Ratio Mass-Spectrometer).

Dataset-specific Instrument Name
PDZ Europa 20-20 stable isotope ratio mass spectrometer
Generic Instrument Name
Isotope-ratio Mass Spectrometer
Dataset-specific Description
T. reniformis δ15N samples measured on Elementar Vario EL Cube/Micro Cube elemental analyzer interfaced to a PDZ Europa 20-20 stable isotope ratio mass spectrometer (EA-SIRMS).
Generic Instrument Description
The Isotope-ratio Mass Spectrometer is a particular type of mass spectrometer used to measure the relative abundance of isotopes in a given sample (e.g. VG Prism II Isotope Ratio Mass-Spectrometer).

Dataset-specific Instrument Name
Shimadzu TOC-L total organic carbon analyzer
Generic Instrument Name
Total Organic Carbon Analyzer
Dataset-specific Description
DOC samples measured on Shimadzu TOC-L total organic carbon analyzer.
Generic Instrument Description
A unit that accurately determines the carbon concentrations of organic compounds typically by detecting and measuring its combustion product (CO2). See description document at: http://bcodata.whoi.edu/LaurentianGreatLakes_Chemistry/bs116.pdf

Dataset-specific Instrument Name
Thermo Scientific Genesys
Generic Instrument Name
Spectrophotometer
Dataset-specific Description
A Thermo Scientific Genesys spectrophotometer was used to measure the intensity of light transmission at specific wavelengths for chlorophyll a, protein and carbohydrate samples of both species.
Generic Instrument Description
An instrument used to measure the relative absorption of electromagnetic radiation of different wavelengths in the near infra-red, visible and ultraviolet wavebands by samples.

Dataset-specific Instrument Name
Costech elemental analyzer
Generic Instrument Name
Elemental Analyzer
Dataset-specific Description
A. millepora δ15N samples measured on Costech elemental analyzer coupled to a Thermo Finnigan Delta IV stable isotope ratio mass spectrometer (EA-SIRMS).
Generic Instrument Description
Instruments that quantify carbon, nitrogen and sometimes other elements by combusting the sample at very high temperature and assaying the resulting gaseous oxides. Usually used for samples including organic material.

Dataset-specific Instrument Name
Elementar Vario EL Cube/Micro Cube elemental analyzer
Generic Instrument Name
Elemental Analyzer
Dataset-specific Description
T. reniformis δ15N samples measured on Elementar Vario EL Cube/Micro Cube elemental analyzer interfaced to a PDZ Europa 20-20 stable isotope ratio mass spectrometer (EA-SIRMS).
Generic Instrument Description
Instruments that quantify carbon, nitrogen and sometimes other elements by combusting the sample at very high temperature and assaying the resulting gaseous oxides. Usually used for samples including organic material.


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Project Information

Interactive Effects of Temperature, Nutrients, and Ocean Acidification on Coral Physiology and Calcification (OA_coral_physiology)

Coverage: Reef Systems Coral Farm, New Albany, Ohio, USA


Extracted from the NSF award abstract: 

Atmospheric and sea surface CO2 concentrations are expected to continue to increase substantially over the coming decades resulting in warmer and more acidic oceans, which will greatly stress the health of coral reefs. In addition, ocean margins where most corals live will also see continued increases in human-produced nutrient inputs. While there has recently been a considerable focus on how ocean acidification (due to higher CO2 alone) could negatively impact the growth of reef-building corals due to the projected loss in calcification, the combined impacts of CO2, temperature, and nutrients on coral physiology and calcification are poorly understood. This project will investigate the possible synergistic and antagonistic effects of elevated temperature, CO2, and nutrients on the physiology and internal calcifying chemistry of several species of corals in a laboratory setting. Research tools will include the assessment of coral energy reserves and metabolic demand, symbiotic algal physiology and molecular diversity, coral calcification, and direct measurement of the internal coral pH and carbonate concentration via microprobes. The results from this project have the potential to supply broad scientific impacts regarding how (or if) reef-building corals will survive future climate change scenarios, and will help establish several parameter ranges that could be used to strengthen ocean acidification and coral reef growth models.



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Program Information

Science, Engineering and Education for Sustainability NSF-Wide Investment (SEES): Ocean Acidification (formerly CRI-OA) (SEES-OA)


Coverage: global


NSF Climate Research Investment (CRI) activities that were initiated in 2010 are now included under Science, Engineering and Education for Sustainability NSF-Wide Investment (SEES). SEES is a portfolio of activities that highlights NSF's unique role in helping society address the challenge(s) of achieving sustainability. Detailed information about the SEES program is available from NSF (https://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=504707).

In recognition of the need for basic research concerning the nature, extent and impact of ocean acidification on oceanic environments in the past, present and future, the goal of the SEES: OA program is to understand (a) the chemistry and physical chemistry of ocean acidification; (b) how ocean acidification interacts with processes at the organismal level; and (c) how the earth system history informs our understanding of the effects of ocean acidification on the present day and future ocean.

Solicitations issued under this program:
NSF 10-530, FY 2010-FY2011
NSF 12-500, FY 2012
NSF 12-600, FY 2013
NSF 13-586, FY 2014
NSF 13-586 was the final solicitation that will be released for this program.

PI Meetings:
1st U.S. Ocean Acidification PI Meeting(March 22-24, 2011, Woods Hole, MA)
2nd U.S. Ocean Acidification PI Meeting(Sept. 18-20, 2013, Washington, DC)
3rd U.S. Ocean Acidification PI Meeting (June 9-11, 2015, Woods Hole, MA – Tentative)

NSF media releases for the Ocean Acidification Program:

Press Release 10-186 NSF Awards Grants to Study Effects of Ocean Acidification

Discovery Blue Mussels "Hang On" Along Rocky Shores: For How Long?

Discovery nsf.gov - National Science Foundation (NSF) Discoveries - Trouble in Paradise: Ocean Acidification This Way Comes - US National Science Foundation (NSF)

Press Release 12-179 nsf.gov - National Science Foundation (NSF) News - Ocean Acidification: Finding New Answers Through National Science Foundation Research Grants - US National Science Foundation (NSF)

Press Release 13-102 World Oceans Month Brings Mixed News for Oysters

Press Release 13-108 nsf.gov - National Science Foundation (NSF) News - Natural Underwater Springs Show How Coral Reefs Respond to Ocean Acidification - US National Science Foundation (NSF)

Press Release 13-148 Ocean acidification: Making new discoveries through National Science Foundation research grants

Press Release 13-148 - Video nsf.gov - News - Video - NSF Ocean Sciences Division Director David Conover answers questions about ocean acidification. - US National Science Foundation (NSF)

Press Release 14-010 nsf.gov - National Science Foundation (NSF) News - Palau's coral reefs surprisingly resistant to ocean acidification - US National Science Foundation (NSF)

Press Release 14-116 nsf.gov - National Science Foundation (NSF) News - Ocean Acidification: NSF awards $11.4 million in new grants to study effects on marine ecosystems - US National Science Foundation (NSF)



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Funding

Funding SourceAward
NSF Emerging Frontiers Division (NSF EF)

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