title: Comment on "Preindustrial to modern interdecadal variability in coral reef pH".
abstract: Based on the boron isotopic composition of coral from the southwestern Pacific, Pelejero et al. (Reports, 30 September 2005, p. 2204) suggested that natural variations in pH can modulate the impact of ocean acidification on coral reef ecosystems. We show that this claim cannot be reconciled with other marine carbon chemistry constraints and highlight problems with the authors' interpretation of the paleontologic data.
authors.affiliation: Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation Marine and Atmosphere Research, and Antarctic Climate and Ecosystem Cooperative Research Centre, Hobart, TAS, Australia. Richard.Matear@csiro.au
authors.forename: Richard J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Matear
authors.forename: Ben I
authors.initials: BI
authors.lastname: McNeil
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D037421:Anthozoa / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology; D001272:Atmosphere; D001895:Boron; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000032:analysis; D017753:Ecosystem; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007554:Isotopes; D010140:Pacific Ocean; D012623:Seawater
chemical_list: D007554:Isotopes; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D001895:Boron