Anthony, K.R.N., and Larcombe, P. (2002) Coral reefs in turbid waters: sediment-induced stresses in corals and likely mechanisms of adaptation. In: Moosa, M. Kasim, Soemodihardjo, Subagjo, Soegiarto, Aprilani, Romimohtarto, Kasijan, Nontji, Anugerah, Soekarno, and Suharsono, (eds.) Procedings of the 9th International Coral Reef Symposium. Ministery of Environment, Indonesian Institute of Sciences and International Society for Reef Studies, Bali, Indonesia, pp. 239-244.

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Abstract

Coral reefs close to the shoreline may repeatedly be exposed to high concentrations of suspended sediments and low light levels, but many such reefs display high coral cover, indicating that the corals have become adapted or acclimated to such events. Here, we discuss a set of mechanisms by which corals might adapt or acclimatise to variable sedimentation and turbidity. Specifically, we note the documented links between key physical parameters in turbid habitats (e.g. turbidity and suspended sediment concentration (SSC), light extinction, grain size and composition) and predicted responses of coral photosynthesis, feeding and respiratory/excretory losses. Based on observed temporal patterns in turbidity and sedimentation, we argue that 1) rapid replenishment of energy reserves during periods between sublethal turbidity events, 2) shifts between phototrophic and heterotrophic dependence, and 3) rapid rates of photo-acclimation are likely mechanisms by which corals maintain a positive energy balance (a proxy of stress or health) on coral reefs in turbid zones.

Item ID:	14666
Item Type:	Book Chapter (Research - B1)
ISBN:	979-8105-97-4
Keywords:	coral stress; energetics; physiology; sedimentation; turbidity
Additional Information:	Paper was presented at the 9th Internaional Coral Reef Symposium held in Bali, Indonesia 23-27 October 2002.
Date Deposited:	01 Aug 2017 00:15
FoR Codes:	06 BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES > 0603 Evolutionary Biology > 060302 Biogeography and Phylogeography @ 100%
SEO Codes:	97 EXPANDING KNOWLEDGE > 970106 Expanding Knowledge in the Biological Sciences @ 100%
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