Deoxygenation lowers the thermal threshold of coral bleaching: [Inkl. Correction]

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  • Rachel Alderdice
  • Gabriela Perna
  • Anny Cárdenas
  • Benjamin C. C. Hume
  • Martin Wolf
  • Kuhl, Michael
  • Mathieu Pernice
  • David J. Suggett
  • Christian R. Voolstra

Exposure to deoxygenation from climate warming and pollution is emerging as a contributing factor of coral bleaching and mortality. However, the combined effects of heating and deoxygenation on bleaching susceptibility remain unknown. Here, we employed short-term thermal stress assays to show that deoxygenated seawater can lower the thermal limit of an Acropora coral by as much as 1 °C or 0.4 °C based on bleaching index scores or dark-acclimated photosynthetic efficiencies, respectively. Using RNA-Seq, we show similar stress responses to heat with and without deoxygenated seawater, both activating putative key genes of the hypoxia-inducible factor response system indicative of cellular hypoxia. We also detect distinct deoxygenation responses, including a disruption of O2-dependent photo-reception/-protection, redox status, and activation of an immune response prior to the onset of bleaching. Thus, corals are even more vulnerable when faced with heat stress in deoxygenated waters. This highlights the need to integrate dissolved O2 measurements into global monitoring programs of coral reefs.

Original languageEnglish
Article number18273
JournalScientific Reports
Volume12
Number of pages14
ISSN2045-2322
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2022

Bibliographical note

Correction: 10.1038/s41598-023-40318-y
Link: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-023-40318-y
Publisher Copyright:
© 2022, The Author(s).

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