Collaborative Research: NSF-BSF: Photophysiology and bio-optics of Red Sea mesophotic corals

合作研究：NSF-BSF：红海中光珊瑚的光生理学和生物光学

• 批准号: 2149926
• 负责人: Martin Tresguerres
• 金额: $ 21.16万
• 依托单位: University of California-San Diego Scripps Inst of Oceanography
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2022
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2022-08-15 至 2025-07-31
• 项目状态: 未结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2149926&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Collaborative; Research; NSF; BSF; Photophysiology

Tropical coral reefs are hotspots of biodiversity and provide critical services to numerous coastal communities worldwide. A combination of global and local stressors have led to the unprecedented degradation of shallow water coral reef communities. Most importantly, elevated water temperatures combined with excess solar radiation can cause coral bleaching, which describes the loss of the coral’s symbiotic algae and is regarded as the major threat to the future existence of shallow-water reefs. Thus, corals from deep waters are gaining interest as they are expected to be buffered from extreme environmental impacts more commonly experienced in shallow waters. Surprisingly, corals are flourishing in habitats where sunlight barely reaches, and 30-150 m depth mesophotic coral reef ecosystems (MCEs) are characterized by unique coral communities that could serve as a refuge for shallow water corals. In this project, we aim to study the light-harvesting mechanisms that allow corals to thrive under such light-limited conditions using a multidisciplinary approach that combines state-of-the-art bioengineering, bio-optics, and coral physiology tools. Since corals are among the most efficient aquatic photosynthetic systems, studying coral bio-optics can also lead to the discovery of novel light-harvesting mechanisms and the development of novel coral-inspired photonic materials to build more efficient and sustainable photobioreactors. This is a US-Israel binational project that aims to promote international collaboration and diversity through a range of public outreach activities, including museum exhibitions and the design of creative experiences to support the participation of under-represented groups in STEM.Light is a key driver of coral community change along the coral reef depth gradient. However, the importance of irradiance for the existence and growth of corals has been predominantly studied in shallow species, and knowledge of how mesophotic corals thrive despite extremely limited light conditions is largely lacking. This study will provide a quantitative assessment of light-harvesting at mesophotic depths and offer novel insights into the role of bio-optics and irradiance in structuring coral communities. To achieve our goal, we will employ an interdisciplinary approach to establish the bio-optical properties of mesophotic corals. Our workflow combines (1) in-situ coral reef fieldwork in Eilat (Red Sea, Israel) to collect and analyze corals along a depth-irradiance gradient, (2) lab-based light microsensor measurements combined with analyses of endogenous green fluorescent protein and photosynthetic assays; (3) optical coherence tomography and microcomputed tomography to characterize tissue and skeletal morphology for the development of 3D light-capture models using Monte Carlo simulations; and (3) a novel 3D bioprinting approach to experimentally determine the roles of coral skeleton morphology on photosynthesis. Altogether, this research will provide the essential basis for theoretical models that seek to understand the spatial distribution of mesophotic coral reef ecosystems and predict their responses to environmental change, therefore offering a practical tool for reef management and conservation.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

热带珊瑚礁是生物多样性的热点，并为全世界众多沿海社区提供关键服务。全球和地方压力源的结合导致了浅水珊瑚礁社区的前所未有的降解。最重要的是，升高的水温与过量的太阳辐射相结合会导致珊瑚漂白，这描述了珊瑚共生藻类的丧失，被认为是对浅水礁未来存在的主要威胁。这是，深水的珊瑚正在引起人们的兴趣，因为预计它们会从浅水中更常见的极端环境影响中缓冲。令人惊讶的是，在阳光几乎无法到达的栖息地中，珊瑚正在荧光下，深度为中间的珊瑚礁生态系统（MCE）的特征是独特的珊瑚群落，这些珊瑚社区可以作为浅水珊瑚的避难所。在这个项目中，我们旨在研究轻度限制的珊瑚在轻度限制的条件下使用多学科的方法繁衍生息的轻度收获机制，该方法结合了最先进的生物工程，生物学和珊瑚生理学工具。由于珊瑚是最有效的水生光合并系统之一，因此研究珊瑚生物访问还可以导致发现新型的轻度收获机制，并开发出新型的珊瑚启发的光子材料，以构建更有效和可持续的光生反应器。这是一个美国 - 以色列二元项目，旨在通过一系列公共外展活动来促进国际合作和多样性，包括博物馆展览和创造性体验的设计，以支持代表性不足的群体参与STEM.LIGHT是沿着珊瑚礁深度梯度的珊瑚社区变化的关键驱动力。然而，辐照度对珊瑚存在和生长的重要性主要是在浅种类中研究的，并且了解中性珊瑚如何在很大程度上缺乏极有限的光条件。这项研究将对中间深度的轻度收获进行定量评估，并提供有关生物访问和辐照度在结构珊瑚群落中的作用的新见解。为了实现我们的目标，我们将采用一种跨学科方法来建立中介珊瑚的生物光学特性。我们的工作流程组合（1）在EILAT（以色列红）海上的原位珊瑚礁现场工作，以收集和分析沿深度 - iRradiance梯度的珊瑚，（2）基于实验室的光显微镜测量结果，结合了内源性绿色荧光蛋白和光合分析的分析； （3）使用Monte Carlo模拟的3D灯塔模型开发组织和骨骼形态的光学相干断层扫描和小额计算断层扫描； （3）一种新型的3D生物打印方法，可以通过实验确定珊瑚骨骼形态在光合作用中的作用。 Altogether, this research will provide the essential basis for theoretical models that seek to understand the spatial distribution of mesophotic coral reef ecosystems and predict their responses to environmental change, therefore offering a practical tool for reef management and conservation.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed precious of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review Criteria.