Research Grant
[Cite as https://purl.org/au-research/grants/arc/DP170103067]
Researchers:
Christopher Cornwall
(Chief Investigator)
,
Ellwood, Michael
(Chief Investigator)
,
Ellwood, Michael J.
(Chief Investigator)
,
Prof Stephen Eggins
(Chief Investigator)
,
Prof William Maher
(Chief Investigator)
View all 7 related researchers
Brief description Holding coral reefs together with soluble cement. This project aims to characterise and understand cement formation in coral reefs. Coral reefs are constructed by cementing together aragonite building blocks made by corals. The main cementing agent is high-magnesium calcite, the most soluble carbonate mineral and susceptible to ocean acidification. High-magnesium calcite cements are best developed on the high energy margins of coral reefs. This project will quantify how crustose coralline algae produces high-magnesium calcite and controls the dissolution and reprecipitation of high-magnesium cements. This project intends to quantify rates of reef cementation, susceptibility to ocean acidification and warming, and possible mitigating effects of alkalinity addition.
Funding Amount $393,000
Funding Scheme Discovery Projects
- PURL : https://purl.org/au-research/grants/arc/DP170103067
- ARC : DP170103067