Deep-water ecosystems are characterized by relatively low carbonate
concentration values and, due to ocean acidification (OA), these habitats might be among
the first to be exposed to undersaturated conditions in the forthcoming years. However,
until now, very few studies have been conducted to test how cold-water coral (CWC)
species react to such changes in the seawater chemistry. The present work aims to
investigate the mid-term effect of decreased pH on calcification of the two branching CWC
species most widely distributed in the Mediterranean, Lophelia pertusa and Madrepora
oculata. No significant effects were observed in the skeletal growth rate, microdensity and
porosity of both species after 6 months of exposure. However, while the calcification rate
of M. oculata was similar for all colony fragments, a heterogeneous skeletal growth pattern
was observed in L. pertusa, the younger nubbins showing higher growth rates than the
older ones. A higher energy demand is expected in these young, fast-growing fragments
and, therefore, a reduction in calcification might be noticed earlier during long-term
exposure to acidified conditions.