Figure 3.

Depth profiles of normalized scalar irradiance (a), temperature (b) and O₂ concentration (c) as simulated by the coral slab model for the baseline case (all parameters as in table 1). The arrow in the normalized scalar irradiance depth profile indicates a strong light enhancement by refractive index mismatches and the presence of scattering coral host pigments in the epidermis. The TBL and DBL are visible above the coral tissue surface in the temperature and O₂ concentration depth profiles. The arrows in the temperature and O₂ concentration depth profiles indicate peaks in the temperature and O₂ concentrations, which are due to the high light absorption in the oral (upper arrow) and aboral (lower arrow) gastrodermis resulting in strong local heat dissipation and high photosynthesis rates, respectively.