Can someone good at studies explain this to me?

[Miami Reef]

I saw this topic a few months ago, but I just want to understand better.

https://reefbuilders.com/2011/12/05/acropora-phosphate-growth/

Does anyone know where to full article is? If higher phosphates inhibit calcification, how does it make sense that these acros grow faster in increasing levels of phosphate? I feel like there’s details that I’m missing.

 

[Miami Reef]

Here’s the full study: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0022098111004588

 

[shootingstar_reef]

Haven't had a chance to comb it thoroughly, but they're saying faster growth in high PO4 = a less dense, more brittle skeleton.

 

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

This study does line up with most everything I've read on corals in higher nutrient systems.

Perhaps @Randy Holmes-Farley or some of our other #chemistrygurus might have more input on the questions you're asking about why.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I'm surprised and disappointed that they do not provide any information on the available nitrogen (ammonia/nitrite/nitrate/ etc). They also appeared to directly feed the corals.

Perhaps I missed it, but all I can find is this nearly meaningless comment:

"We controlled heavily for a variety of potential confounding factors,... and nitrogenous compounds (kept in check using a bacterial filter). "

 

[Miami Reef]

I'm surprised and disappointed that they do not provide any information on the available nitrogen (ammonia/nitrite/nitrate/ etc). They also appeared to directly feed the corals.

Perhaps I missed it, but all I can find is this nearly meaningless comment:

"We controlled heavily for a variety of potential confounding factors,... and nitrogenous compounds (kept in check using a bacterial filter). "

I’m not even sure I saw anything about alkalinity either. Just calcium. Maybe I missed it though.

 

[Miami Reef]

I'm surprised and disappointed that they do not provide any information on the available nitrogen (ammonia/nitrite/nitrate/ etc). They also appeared to directly feed the corals.

Perhaps I missed it, but all I can find is this nearly meaningless comment:

"We controlled heavily for a variety of potential confounding factors,... and nitrogenous compounds (kept in check using a bacterial filter). "

I took a good look at the article @shootingstar_reef posted and I do see mention of nitrates/ammonia/nitrites