The Paytan lab features a number of ongoing, and completed, projects involving coral reef communities from around the world. Corals grow their carbonate skeletons in annual density bands, much like trees form growth rings. However, these are among the ecosystems most affected by climate change and anthropogenic eutrophication. Using a suit of biogeochemical tools, we can use corals as a proxy for ocean chemistry, ocean circulation, climate, and coastal nutrient sources.
American Samoa
Ongoing work in American Samoa investigates the cause of algal overgrowth in “super coral” reefs. These corals are adapted to a wide range of temperature and salinity, a point of interest for a continually warming ocean. Algal intrusion in this system has caused a decline in these adapted coral, with nutrient source still still undetermined. Research led by Zan Stremler, sponsored by Nancy Prouty at the USGS.
Guam
Ongoing work in Guam, a U.S. island territory in Micronesia, currently investigates coral as a possible record for on-shore fire events. The calcium carbonate skeleton of coral may store Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), a class of carcinogenic chemicals released when wood and diesel are burned. Research led by Zan Stremler, sponsored by Nancy Prouty at the USGS.
Hawai’i
In conjunction with the USGS, three coral cores were collected in West Maui, Hawaii. Macro-algal blooms, eutrophication, and reduction in coral cover have been observed and linked to nutrient inputs from coastal submarine groundwater seeps. This work corroborates a link between local wastewater injection and degradation of the reef environment. Research led by previous student, Joe Murray.
Coral Research Team
