Research activities carried out in the laboratory of Coral Eco-Physiology are concerned with the study of coral calcification and its interaction with photosynthesis and respiration. Important progress has been made in understanding the coral physiology. It was shown that in corals that there is an intense carbon cycle, gross photosynthesis being 5-10 times higher than net photosynthesis. Therefore respiration, and thus energy conservation in the form of ATP synthesis, is strongly stimulated in light. This in itself could lead to the well-known light stimulation of calcification, an energy consuming process in corals. However, the regulation of calcification by light is a bit more complicated. The transport of calcium ions from seawater through the tissue and the calicoblastic layer to the skeleton was measured. Particularly the behavior of calicoblastic layer proved essential for the understanding of calcification. In this membrane a Ca-H exchange mechanism is located, resulting in increasing pH and calcium concentration at the skeleton. This transport protein is energized by ATP (fuelled by the carbon cycle), but directly activated by light. In the dark, calcification will instantly decrease, due to deactivation of the Ca²⁺ and H⁺ transport, while the ATP levels remain high for several hours.

Study of the effects of nutrient loads and pollutants on the coral health and the reef ecosystem is another activity which interests us. We have developed a number of experiments to study the effects of nutrient addition on the coral health as well as its impact on the water chemistry. These studies are now underway in our lab. The results of such research are expected to help in understanding the reef response to such external load of nutrients and pollutants.

Due to the increased industrial and touristic pressure on the coral reefs of the Gulf of Aqaba, a need for reef conservation strategies became necessary. Therefore, we are now developing our ability to construct new artificial reefs for the purposes of reef restoration and creating new diving sites for tourists. We are still beginners in this field, but our experience in coral maintenance and propagation would certainly help in this regard. We are also looking forward to benefit from the experiences of our colleagues in the world to get the necessary training and funding for such activity.

While natural reefs are a renewable resource, they may not be able to keep up with the increased pressure resulting from natural and anthropogenic stressors like the well known phenomena of global worming and the atmospheric CO₂ increase, pollution, coral diseases and tourists activities. Therefore, we thought it is necessary for us to use a nondestructive source of coral samples for conducting research at the MSS. Consequently, we have developed our ability to propagate and maintain the different coral species in the Eco-physiology laboratory for scientific uses.