Holding coral reefs together with soluble cement

该项目旨在描述和了解珊瑚礁中的水泥形成。珊瑚礁是由珊瑚形成的文石砌块粘合而成的。主要的固井剂是高镁方解石，这是最易溶解的碳酸盐矿物，易受海洋酸化的影响。高镁方解石胶结物在珊瑚礁的高能边缘发育最好。该项目将量化甲壳珊瑚藻如何产生高镁方解石，并控制高镁水泥的溶解和再沉淀。该项目旨在量化珊瑚礁胶结率，对海洋酸化和变暖的敏感性，以及添加碱度可能产生的缓解效果。

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.