A recently published research paper in the Journal Science demonstrated that the growth rate of massive Porites corals has declined by 13% which is the lowest rate in at least 400 years. Massive Porites grow at a steady rate and by taking cores and examining the growing intervals very much like the rings of a tree, the Australian researchers were able to observe that rising temperatures and acidification have had a strong effect on the reef building corals of the largest structure made by any animal. 13% may not seem like that big of a decline but when that figure is spread across thousands of square miles, you realize that it would take a lot of kalkwasser to make up that lost growth.

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