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August 24, 2017

Vibrant coral community growing at low pH springs on Caribbean Coast of Mexico

A vibrant coral community grows in low pH springs on the Caribbean Coast of Mexico. Although some calcifying corals grow under these conditions, their carbonate skeletons are not dense and are more sensitive to physical erosion.

[Supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation's Ocean Acidification Program (grant OCE 1040952), as part of the agency's Science, Engineering and Education for Sustainability Investment.]

Learn more in the NSF news release Natural underwater springs show how coral reefs respond to ocean acidification. (Date image taken: 2010-2012; date originally posted to NSF Multimedia Gallery: Aug. 25, 2017)

Credit: Elizabeth D. Crook


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