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Research Goal
Research Goal
The goal of my research is to learn more about the impact of Ocean Acidification (OA) on coral
To propose a solution or path to help prevent coral bleaching
To explore the feasibility of genetic modification on coral
Coral Bleaching
Coral Bleaching
Coral bleaching is a term used to describe coral that has responded to higher ocean temperatures and light stresses (Ainsworth & Brown, 2021). Coral contains around two million symbiont cells that provide energy for growth. When ocean temperatures rise, symbiont cells are reduced and the coral becomes pale, hence the term coral bleaching (Ainsworth & Brown, 2021). Coral loses its photosynthetic pigments, also known as chlorophyll, in multiple ways that are brought back to rising temperatures and ocean acidification (Ainsworth & Brown, 2021).
Ocean Acidification
Ocean Acidification
OA is when, due to increased temperatures in the ocean, the PH levels of the ocean change. OA is caused by increased levels of carbon dioxide which is then absorbed by the oceans and decreases pH levels (Edmunds, 2013). Because of decreased pH levels, the dissolved inorganic carbon of the ocean is changed which then affects all marine life (Edmunds, 2013).
Why is coral important?
Why is coral important?
Coral reefs are extremely important to the economy. If finding a partial solution to acidification’s impact on reefs was not already a big issue, to make it even more important, reefs are home to many species of fish and are also big for bringing in tourists to certain locations, boosting local economy and promoting biodiversity (Van Den Hoek & K. Bayoumi, 2017). The importance of coral reefs also is proven when touching on the impact of land protection and the overall health of the ocean (Brander et al., 2013). Reefs are key in continuing to help biodiversity flourish (Voolstra et al., 2023).
Theoretical Framework
Theoretical Framework
I will measure how successful GM is as a wide-scale solution and continue to expand on ideas already generated. By monitoring coral and using new methods to genetically modify the coral, there shows promise in protecting this vital life form (Hobman et al., 2022). To finalize my conclusions, I will continue to look at research and already collected data to help me construct a theory in order to implement genetic modification in coral reefs and prove that through genetic modification, there will be positive results and promise.
Methods and Justification
Methods and Justification
Because I do not have a background in data collection of this scale, I would find it beneficial to collaborate with researchers and marine biologists whose area of expertise is in the data collection of coral and work with experts who can conduct experiments in terms of genetic modification.
To gather information and research, the best method would be to collect quantitative data as large groups of coral may need to be tested to show inconsistencies and areas where coral is harmed the most by OA. My study design would include testing coral in a lab and deciding if there is an organism that would match with coral DNA and help produce a coral that can withstand OA (Levin et al., 2017).
Genetic Modification - With new technologies, genetic modification could be extremely helpful in saving future generations of coral and continuing to save coral reefs (Nicholl, 2023). In a study from 1980 to 2020, it has been proven that thermal stress and OA have in fact changed coral and provided site exposure and data collection. A step to protect coral reefs may come from modifying coral to become heat resistant. To tackle this, there have been ideas to use natural gene variants already existing in coral to help modify the reefs to become more resistant to heat and bleaching from OA (Hobman et al., 2022). In research done in 2017, a gene of interest called Symbiodinium was found to have traits including thermal tolerance (Levin et al., 2017). Because this gene is common in algae residing near reefs, there may be a way to genetically modify coral with this gene and help reefs fight OA and coral bleaching (Levin et al., 2017).
End Goal
End Goal
The end goal of my research proposal is to show the importance of coral reefs, how OA affects coral, and how it leads to coral bleaching. My hope is that through genetic modification coral can be better protected.
Execution
Execution
Working with experts and understanding more about coral will be key in executing any project that hints at lab work. Through working with scientists in a lab and collecting data in the field, more discoveries will be made in the realm of coral conservation.
Resources
Resources
Ainsworth, T. D., & Brown, B. E. (2021). Coral bleaching. Current Biology. https://www.cell.com/current-biology/pdf/S0960-9822(20)31591-8.pdf
Allemand, D., & Osborn, D. (2019). Ocean acidification impacts on coral reefs: From sciences to solutions. Regional Studies in Marine Science, 28, 100558. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rsma.2019.100558
Brander, L., Rehdanz, K., Tol, R. S., & Van Beukering, P. (2012). The Economic Impact of Ocean Acidification on Coral Reefs. Climate Change Economics, 03(01), 1250002. https://doi.org/10.1142/s2010007812500029
Chaudhari, L., & Trivedi, C. (2022). Inducing heat tolerance in corals using genetic modification in host and symbiont simultaneously. ECS Transactions, 107(1), 14655–14663. https://doi.org/10.1149/10701.14655ecst
Edmunds, P. J., Carpenter, R. C., & Comeau, S. (2013). Understanding the threats of ocean acidification to coral reefs. Oceanography, 26(3), 149–152. https://doi.org/10.5670/oceanog.2013.57
Hobman, E. V., Mankad, A., Carter, L., & Ruttley, C. (2022). Genetically engineered heat-resistant coral: An initial analysis of public opinion. PLOS ONE, 17(1), e0252739. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0252739
Hughes, T. P., Baird, A. H., Morrison, T. H., & Torda, G. (2023). Principles for coral reef restoration in the anthropocene. One Earth, 6(6), 656–665. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oneear.2023.04.008
Klein, S. G., Geraldi, N. R., Antón, A., Schmidt‐Roach, S., Ziegler, M., Cziesielski, M. J., Martin, C., Rädecker, N., Frölicher, T. L., Mumby, P. J., Pandolfi, J. M., Suggett, D. J., Voolstra, C. R., Aranda, M., & Duarte, C. M. (2021). Projecting coral responses to intensifying marine heatwaves under ocean acidification. Global Change Biology, 28(5), 1753–1765. https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.15818
Kleypas, J. A., & Yates, K. K. (2009). Coral reefs and ocean acidification on JSTOR. www.jstor.org. http://www.jstor.org/stable/24861028
Levin, R. A., Voolstra, C. R., Agrawal, S., Steinberg, P. D., Suggett, D. J., & Van Oppen, M. J. H. (2017). Engineering strategies to decode and enhance the genomes of coral symbionts. Frontiers in Microbiology, 8. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2017.01220
Nicole, S. T. (2023). An introduction to genetic engineering. Google Books. https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=5SusEAAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PR15&dq=how+does+genetic+modification+work+&ots=p6VsBIUN_X&sig=gfvgXXDo6KszhQigeAkfm9i9BJU#v=onepage&q&f=false
Van Woesik, R., & Kratochwill, C. (2022). A global coral-bleaching database, 1980–2020. Scientific Data, 9(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41597-022-01121-y
Voolstra, C. R., Peixoto, R. S., & Ferrier‐Pagès, C. (2023). Mitigating the ecological collapse of coral reef ecosystems. EMBO Reports, 24(4). https://doi.org/10.15252/embr.202356826
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