Ideas and perspectives: Southwestern tropical Atlantic coral growth response to atmospheric circulation changes induced by ozone depletion in Antarctica
Journal
Biogeosciences
Journal Volume
13
Journal Issue
8
Pages
2379-2386
Date Issued
2016
Author(s)
Evangelista, H.
Wainer, I.
Sifeddine, A.
Corr?ge, T.
Cordeiro, R.C.
Lamounier, S.
Godiva, D.
Le Cornec, F.
Turcq, B.
Lazareth, C.E.
Hu, C.-Y.
Abstract
Recent Southern Hemisphere (SH) atmospheric circulation, predominantly driven by stratospheric ozone depletion over Antarctica, has caused changes in climate across the extratropics. Here, we present evidence that the Brazilian coast (southwestern Atlantic) may have been impacted from both wind and sea-surface temperature changes derived from this process. Skeleton analysis of massive coral species living in shallow waters off Brazil are very sensitive to air-sea interactions, and seem to record this impact. Growth rates of Brazilian corals show a trend reversal that fits the ozone depletion evolution, confirming that ozone impacts are far reaching and potentially affect coastal ecosystems in tropical environments. © Author(s) 2016.
Other Subjects
air temperature; air-sea interaction; atmospheric circulation; climate effect; coastal zone; coral; extratropical environment; growth rate; marine atmosphere; ozone depletion; sea surface temperature; shallow water; Southern Hemisphere; surface wind; tropical environment; Atlantic Ocean; Atlantic Ocean (South); Brazil; Anthozoa
Type
journal article