Coral reefs, much like humans, depend on the nutrients present in their surrounding environment. Researchers at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) are conducting laboratory experiments with nutrient-enriched tiles to assess their potential in enhancing the immune responses of corals. This enhancement may enable corals to better endure stressors such as rising ocean temperatures, which contribute to coral bleaching, and to recover more effectively from severe climate events like hurricanes.
Colleen Hansel, a senior scientist and marine chemist at WHOI, stated, “We are investigating the responses of corals cultivated on substrates enriched with vital metal micronutrients, including manganese, zinc, and iron.” She noted that the combination of rapidly increasing water temperatures and an active hurricane season has posed challenges for conducting field trials of these substrates. However, initial findings from over a year of laboratory studies indicate that corals receiving early exposure to these nutrient supplements exhibited greater resistance and resilience to heat stress.
The research team intends to incorporate these nutrient-enriched tiles into the concrete framework of a 20 square meter artificial reef, designed by specialists at the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI). This structure will serve as a stable base for planting juvenile corals and for coral larvae to settle, while the tiles will release essential nutrients and vitamins into the surrounding waters, enhancing the corals’ resilience against environmental challenges. Marilyn Brandt, a coral disease ecologist at UVI, explained, “The artificial reef we are constructing will be situated adjacent to a natural reef that has suffered significant damage from marine heat waves and severe storm events. This artificial reef will not only safeguard the shoreline from storm surges and erosion but will also provide a habitat for corals that are struggling due to climate change, as we strive to restore the natural reefs in the region.”
Field testing remains essential to confirm that the introduction of additional nutrients into the environment does not favour a particular species of coral or encourage the proliferation of unwanted or invasive organisms. Brandt, Hansel, and their research team aspire to employ these nutrient tiles in conjunction with an artificial reef structure to foster a diverse ecosystem for both the reefs and the species that depend on them. Hansel emphasized the significance of establishing an ecologically balanced and diverse coral reef. “It is crucial that an artificial reef closely resembles a natural reef in both appearance and sound. This includes not only coral but also sponges, anemones, and other biogeochemical elements integral to the reef ecosystem. The interactions and feedback among these components are vital for maintaining the overall health of the habitat.”
