Journal article
From temporal variability to integrated metabolic balance: Interpreting total alkalinity and dissolved inorganic carbon relationships in dynamic coral reef ecosystems
Limnology and oceanography letters, Vol.11(5), pp.1-10
09/2026
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Abstract
Linear regressions between total alkalinity (TA) and dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) are widely used to infer the balance between net ecosystem calcification (NEC) and net ecosystem production (NEP) in coral reefs. Using high‐frequency carbonate chemistry observations from an Australian reef flat and simple numerical models, we show that TA–DIC slopes primarily reflect the temporal co‐variability of NEC and NEP, rather than their time‐integrated metabolic balance. To recover time‐integrated metabolic information, diel reef measurements must be coupled with offshore reference conditions, which anchor changes in TA and DIC to NEC : NEP ratios. We further demonstrate that metabolic balance shifts systematically over the diel cycle and depends on light, indicating that it is inherently dynamic rather than static. Together, our results highlight the need to distinguish metabolic co‐variability from metabolic ratios when interpreting carbonate chemistry data in coral reef and other dynamic aquatic ecosystems.
Details
- Title
- From temporal variability to integrated metabolic balance: Interpreting total alkalinity and dissolved inorganic carbon relationships in dynamic coral reef ecosystems
- Creators
- Tyler Cyronak - Georgia Southern UniversityYuichiro Takeshita - Monterey Bay Aquarium Research InstituteRebecca Albright - California Academy of SciencesKen Caldeira - Stanford UniversityBradley Eyre - Southern Cross UniversityAlyssa Griffin - University of California, DavisDavid A. Koweek - Stanford UniversityJennifer Mallon - Nova Southeastern UniversityManoela Romano de Orte - Stanford UniversityKai G. Schulz - Southern Cross UniversityKennedy Wolfe
- Publication Details
- Limnology and oceanography letters, Vol.11(5), pp.1-10
- Publisher
- ASLO
- Grant note
- Lost Bird Foundation Office of International Science and Engineering: 2328190 Australian Museum Lizard Island Research Station Australian Research Council: DP150102092, DP220101263
The authors acknowledge the generous support of the Lizard Island Research Station staff, especially Anne Hoggett and Lyle Vail. Portions of the manuscript text were edited for clarity and grammar using a generative artificial intelligence tool (ChatGPT 5.2, OpenAI). All scientific content, interpretations, and conclusions are the responsibility of the authors. Tyler Cyronak was supported by an Australian Museum Lizard Island Research Station Yulgilbar Foundation Fellowship, the Lost Bird Foundation, and the National Science Foundation (NSF) Grant 2328190. Bradley Eyre was supported by ARC Grants DP150102092 and DP220101263. Jennifer Mallon was supported by an Australian Museum Lizard Island Research Station Fellowship.
- Identifiers
- 991013393752202368
- Copyright
- © 2026 The Author(s)
- Academic Unit
- Faculty of Science and Engineering; Science
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article