MARINE BIOGEOCHEMISTRY LABORATORY (MBGCL)

Environmental stressors are linked with each other and they can have a significant impact on the ecosystem. Increased nutrients from anthropogenic activities (e.g. mariculture, domestic inputs) bring about eutrophication that can lead to blooms of algae that are either toxic or non-toxic, and fish kills. Decomposition of dead blooms and other organic matter will utilize/deplete dissolved oxygen resulting in anoxia or hypoxia and release carbon dioxide. Elevated carbon dioxide will decrease seawater pH and create acidic conditions that are detrimental to corals. Ocean warming will increase respiration rates, cause coral bleaching resulting in poor coral health. Determining how these factors interact with one another can help in mitigating their impact on the environment.