About This Project

Unprecedented ocean temperatures in 2023/2024 have led to the worst mass coral bleaching event on record. Artificial upwellings (AU) simulate their natural counterpart, bringing cooler, cleaner, nutrient-rich water from depth to the surface waters, effectively cooling and boosting resilience of marine ecosystems. We will conduct ecological surveys with upwellers to test the hypothesis that AU can protect and restore coral reefs that are affected by climate change, as well as other stressors.

Ask the Scientists

What is the context of this research?

Many healthy coral reefs are next to upwellings [1], and given the obvious mechanism of cooling to reduce thermal stress, there is a strong case for studying the potential of artificial upwellings in coral reef restoration. Upwellings also deliver nutrients and ‘fresh’ water, (i.e. the water is different chemically, physically, and microbially,) [2] which might offer unknown advantages to nearby reefs, as many are more resilient [3], with lower incidences of disease [pers. obs.] Healthy reefs seem to make use of increased nutrients from a natural upwelling source, however, reefs in the Caribbean show an increase in fleshy algae near upwellings [1]. Because reef response patterns are heterogeneous and context-specific, it is essential to study the effects in place.

What is the significance of this project?

Most reef restoration technologies address the outcomes of climate change, like mortality, but not their causes, like heating, metabolic stress, and weakened immunity. Ecosystem-based approaches to coral reef conservation are urgently needed, and can be used to improve other restoration efforts. By cooling the reef, artificial upwellings (AU) mitigate the cause of thermal stress on all reef organisms, not just corals. This study would be the first ever field investigation of the effects of artificial upwellings on coral reef ecosystems, providing essential baseline data on the potential benefits, co-benefits, and impacts of this technology. The results will inform future research, and if favorable, AU could be a powerful tool to protect reefs into the future.

What are the goals of the project?

We use a Before After Control Impact (BACI) experimental design for ecological assessments at our sites, with continuous sensor data, and manual surveys collected once weekly for two months. The following parameters will be measured: In situ sensor data loggers- temperature, pressure, conductivity (surface mount); temperature, pressure (deep mount). Field surveys: turbidity, pH, chlorophyll-a, nutrient analysis, microbial abundance/diversity, plankton abundance/diversity, macrofauna abundance/diversity, coral demographics, fish demographics, substrate functional group composition, disease prevalence. All macrofauna parameters will be collected by stereo video for automated analysis, all other parameters will use standard ecological survey protocols.