Temperature, Oxygen level and pH monitoring of Feridhoo House Reef October 2026

Coral reefs are dynamic ecosystems whose environmental conditions can change over short periods. Understanding these variations is an important step towards monitoring reef ecosystems and supporting science-based conservation.

At Feridhoo House Reef, Maldives, we use continuous data loggers to monitor key seawater parameters, including temperature, pH and dissolved oxygen (DO). These measurements help us observe environmental variability over time and establish a baseline for future comparisons.

Temperature

Between 22 September and 24 October, recorded temperatures fluctuated around 30°C, reaching approximately 30.5°C during early October. In the final 10 days of the monitoring period, the daily values ranged from 29.67°C to 29.98°C. Temperature influences coral metabolism, growth and photosynthesis by their symbiotic algae. Sustained elevated temperatures can also increase the risk of coral bleaching, making long-term monitoring particularly important in tropical reef environments.

pH and Dissolved Oxygen

Between 16 and 24 October, the recorded pH values ranged from 8.02 to 8.11, with a slight overall increase towards the end of the period. Seawater pH is influenced by processes such as photosynthesis, respiration and the exchange of carbon dioxide with the atmosphere. Changes in pH are also relevant to ocean acidification, which can affect the ability of corals and other calcifying organisms to build their calcium carbonate skeletons.

Dissolved oxygen concentrations fluctuated approximately between 7.34 and 7.61 mg/L. Oxygen availability is essential for marine organisms and reflects the balance between processes such as photosynthesis, respiration and gas exchange with the atmosphere. Temperature also affects oxygen solubility in seawater. The observed fluctuations provide a useful snapshot of oxygen conditions, although additional measurements and longer-term observations are needed to identify meaningful trends.

Why continuous monitoring matters

Looking at these parameters together provides a more complete picture of the reef's environmental conditions than any single measurement alone. Repeated observations can help identify unusual events, investigate relationships between environmental variables and establish a reference for future monitoring.

At Feridhoo House Reef, this work contributes to our ongoing commitment to marine research and coral reef conservation. By collecting environmental data over time, we can improve our understanding of the local reef system and build a stronger scientific foundation for future conservation efforts.

Every measurement contributes to a better understanding of the reef we aim to protect.