Can someone good at studies explain this to me?

[Miami Reef]

I saw this topic a few months ago, but I just want to understand better.

New study documents increased growth of staghorn Acropora in higher phosphate levels | Reef Builders | The Reef and Saltwater Aquarium Blog

Acropora corals are a mysterious creature with complex needs and one of those that we thought we’d nailed long ago was their “need” for minimal phosphate concentration in the water. A new study by…

reefbuilders.com

Does anyone know where to full article is? If higher phosphates inhibit calcification, how does it make sense that these acros grow faster in increasing levels of phosphate? I feel like there’s details that I’m missing.

 

[Miami Reef]

Here’s the full study: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0022098111004588

 

[shootingstar_reef]

Haven't had a chance to comb it thoroughly, but they're saying faster growth in high PO4 = a less dense, more brittle skeleton.

 

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

This study does line up with most everything I've read on corals in higher nutrient systems.

Perhaps @Randy Holmes-Farley or some of our other #chemistrygurus might have more input on the questions you're asking about why.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I'm surprised and disappointed that they do not provide any information on the available nitrogen (ammonia/nitrite/nitrate/ etc). They also appeared to directly feed the corals.

Perhaps I missed it, but all I can find is this nearly meaningless comment:

"We controlled heavily for a variety of potential confounding factors,... and nitrogenous compounds (kept in check using a bacterial filter). "

 

[Miami Reef]

I'm surprised and disappointed that they do not provide any information on the available nitrogen (ammonia/nitrite/nitrate/ etc). They also appeared to directly feed the corals.

Perhaps I missed it, but all I can find is this nearly meaningless comment:

"We controlled heavily for a variety of potential confounding factors,... and nitrogenous compounds (kept in check using a bacterial filter). "

I’m not even sure I saw anything about alkalinity either. Just calcium. Maybe I missed it though.

 

[Miami Reef]

I'm surprised and disappointed that they do not provide any information on the available nitrogen (ammonia/nitrite/nitrate/ etc). They also appeared to directly feed the corals.

Perhaps I missed it, but all I can find is this nearly meaningless comment:

"We controlled heavily for a variety of potential confounding factors,... and nitrogenous compounds (kept in check using a bacterial filter). "

I took a good look at the article @shootingstar_reef posted and I do see mention of nitrates/ammonia/nitrites