| Summary: | This dataset contains data from experiments testing the survival of fertilised Acropora millepora gametes before and after settlement in different climate and sediment treatment conditions. One datafile shows the development and survival until competency for settlement, which has been tested at the National Sea Simulator. A second file demonstrates the settlement success after development in these treatments. Successful recruitment is crucial for the survival and repopulation of coral reefs. Studies have shown that the different phases from gamete release, fertilisation and larvae development may be affected by suspended sediments, increasing temperatures or ocean acidification. To date, the cumulative impact of all three stressors has not been evaluated. Note that the gametes were exposed to the climate and sediment treatments after fertilisation. Methods: The cumulative effect of suspended sediment and climate stress on the larvae development of Acropora millepora was tested in this experiment. A. millepora colonies containing eggs were collected in the reefs surrounding Falcon Island, GBR (Permit: G12/35236.1, Location: S18°46'15", E146°31'57") about one week prior to the annual spawning event in late November / December 2017. Gametes were collected, and fertilisation initiated on 14.12.2017. After 45 minutes, the fertilised eggs were rinsed with filtered seawater and transferred (n = 60) into twelve 500 mL Schott glass bottles. Sediment was added (Middle Reef, ~ 10µm) (Table 1), the bottles sealed, and they were then placed onto half-submerged roller tables in three different treatments resembling current (10-year historic daily mean reef temperature at Davies Reef, ~27°C) and predicted mid and end century climate conditions. Climate conditions: Today: +0°C Temp, 440 ± 50 PCo2 [ppm], sediment [mg/ml-1] 0, 10, 30, 100 Mid Century: +1°C Temp, 660 ± 50 PCo2 [ppm], sediment [mg/ml-1] 0, 10, 30, 100 End Century: +2°C Temp, 940 ± 50 PCo2 [ppm], sediment [mg/ml-1] 0, 10, 30, 100 To achieve a constant pCO2 within ...
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