Corals surviving ocean polution

           

                Corals such as Porites and Pocillopora are adapting well to the acidification of the oceans. A study was done along the Gulf of California. These corals are amongst the most important organisms in the reefs of the Oriental Pacific Ocean. The oceans’, during pre-industrial earth, PH was 8.15. Now, is 8.05 – they are becoming more acidic. The acidification of the oceans is mainly caused by air pollution (caused by exhaust gasses and industrial pollution- an increase of carbon dioxide emissions). Scientists at the Center of Biological research of the Northeast used radiographic plates to visualize changes in extension, density and calcification. They also extracted DNA from the corals in order to know their genetic diversity. According to scientist Balart Paez: "These marine organisms are healthy, for the moment, because of a bigger energetic expense given by a genetic adaptation, however as the acidification levels rise there can be a disturbance in the sexual proportions. ". Genetic adaptation allowed these corals to survive in polluted waters. The effect that the acidulation has one them is dependent on their gender (the Porites have both males and females and the Pocillopora are hermaphrodites). The corals can produce more energy than they spend for adaptation, which makes them sustainable for now. However Paez says that higher levels of pollution could alter the gender balance for the worst  (Porites).