Three patterns of nutrient flux in a coral reef community

Johannes, RE; Wiebe, W. J.; Crossland, CJ

doi:10.3354/meps012131

Cited by 26 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 9 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Although diel rhythms influencing the release of mucus and DOClipids (Crossland 1987, and nutrient fluxes (Johannes et al 1983) have been found in coral reef waters, our variables did not show such a consistent light-dependent diurnal pattern. Diurnal variations in our studies may have been masked by dilution of CS with ambient water flowing over the reef and/or the chosen time intervals may have been unsuited to record diurnal changes.…”

Section: Temporal and Spatial Variabilitymentioning

confidence: 52%

Linkage of small-scale spatial variations in DOC, inorganic nutrients and bacterioplankton growth with different coral reef water types

Duyl¹,

Gast²

2001

Aquat. Microb. Ecol.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

This study focuses on links of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), inorganic nutrients (DIN and DIP) and bacterioplankton growth with specific coral reef water types. At 5 reef stations along the SW coast of Curaçao (Netherlands Antilles), 6 different water types (4 reef water types [live coral surface contact water, reef crevice water, reef bottom water, reef overlying water] and 2 reference water types collected offshore from each station at 2 and 8 m depth) were analysed for DOC, DIN and DIP, bacterial production and abundance. Consistent patterns were found: reef waters were enhanced in DIN, DIP and specific bacterial growth rate (µ n ) compared to offshore waters. DOC, DIP, and µ n were higher close to the reef bottom than in the reef overlying water. Coral surface contact water was significantly enhanced in DOC compared to reef crevice and reef bottom water, suggesting that the major source of DOC in reef waters are the live corals. DIN concentration was highest in reef crevice water, suggesting that crevices are the major net N-regenerating spaces on reefs, more important than the reef bottom between corals. Small-scale DIP distribution suggested net P regeneration in reef crevice and coral surface contact water. The highest specific growth rates of bacterioplankton were found in the coral surface contact water, with slightly lower rates in reef crevice water. Experiments showed that the labile DOC fraction (LDOC) in reef crevice water was substantially smaller than in coral surface contact and reef overlying water, which suggests that crevices are apparently sinks of LDOC. In reef crevice and reef bottom water the low substrate LDOC:DIN ratios suggest that LDOC might be the growth-limiting factor of bacterioplankton in these water types. In coral surface contact and reef overlying water the substrate LDOC:DIN ratios of more than 40 (and LDOC:DIP ratios of over 800) and the significant relations between µ n and DIN (DIP) suggest nutrient limitation of bacterioplankton growth in these water types. This study clearly illustrates the close link in reef waters between coral reef benthos and bacterioplankton trophodynamics.

show abstract

Section: Temporal and Spatial Variabilitymentioning

confidence: 52%

Linkage of small-scale spatial variations in DOC, inorganic nutrients and bacterioplankton growth with different coral reef water types

Duyl¹,

Gast²

2001

Aquat. Microb. Ecol.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…In general, there were no clear seasonal trends at specific sites - except that DOP and DON were higher during winter in the reef channels and along the eastern front of Rat Island, and RP was higher during this period over the reef flats. Temporal variations in nutrient concentrations did occur over time scales other than seasonal, for example, long-term (year-to-year) and short-term (minutesto-hours) (Johannes et al, 1983a). The short-term variability probably reflects spatial inhomogeneities resulting from complex mixing of waters within the reef system.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dissolved nutrients of a high-latitude coral reef, Houtman Abrolhos Islands, Western Australia

Crossland¹,

Hatcher²,

Atkinson³

et al. 1984

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Dissolved nutrients were monitored at 20 stations over a 2 yr period in the Easter Group of the Houtman Abrolhos Islands, Western Australia. Nutrient concentrations were greater inside the reef complex than concentrations In the oceanic region outside the island groups. Winter concentrations of dissolved organic phosphorus and nitrogen were high in the channels and along the islands, and reactive (inorganic) phosphate was high over the reef flats in winter. We suggest a mechanism for nutrient enrichment of the island groups whereby macroalgal material, tom by waves from the extensive algal stands along reef margins, IS deposited inside the reef complex and through remineralization processes form a significant nutrient source in the lagoon.

show abstract

“…While production of particulate or total organic matter in the form of mucus has been relatively well studied (Ducklow & Mitchell 1979, Coffroth 1990, 1991, very few data are available on the release of DOC and DON (Crossland 1987, Bythell 1988, Yamamuro & Kayanne 1997, despite DON representing more than 70% of the total dissolved nitrogen in coral reef waters (Crossland & Barnes 1983, Johannes et al 1983, Smith 1984 and dissolved compounds being more easily absorbed and more directly available to reef organisms. The above studies were performed in situ by enclosing a coral colony in a perspex chamber and measuring DOC and DON release after 1 h incubation or continously by collection on a filter.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Release of dissolved organic carbon and nitrogen by the zooxanthellate coral Galaxea fascicularis

Ferrier‐Pagés¹,

Gattuso²,

Cauwet³

et al. 1998

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

110

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

ABSTRACT-Corals are known to release large amounts of particulate and dissolved organlc carbon (POC and DOC) and nitrogen (PON and DON). Product~on of POC and PON in the form of mucus has been relatively well studled, but very few data are available on the release of DOC and DON by corals. In order to investigate several aspects of carbon and nutnent cycling in corals, release of DOC and DON by fed and unfed colonies of the zooxanthellate coral Galaxea fascicularis (Linnaeus 1767) was measured in the laboratory under controlled conditions. Colonies were either fed with artemia or supplied with nitrogen-and phosphorus-enriched seawater. We measured DOC and DON fluxes from corals using the high temperature catalytic oxidation method and DOC release as 'v-photosynthate using a radioisotope technique. Corals released significant amounts of dissolved organic matter (DOM). Two large release peaks were observed in mid-morning and mid-afternoon. DOC concentrations increased from ca 100 p M (background level) to 300-1700 pM, depending on the size of the colony and the trophic status. DON concentrations also increased from 15 to 120 pM. Release rates varied from 2-3 pm01 DOC and 0.5-0 6 pm01 DON (mg protein)-' d-l for the unfed colonies to 13-25 pm01 DOC and 1-3 pm01 DON (mg protein)-' d-l for the artemia-fed colonies to 4-6 pm01 DOC and 0 . 2 1 . 3 pm01 DON (mg protein)-' d-' for the nutrient-enriched colonies Fed corals therefore released more DOC than unfed colonies, but tended to conserve organic n~trogen, suggesting that heterotrophic nutrition may serve corals as a source of new nutrients. Calculations of the carbon balance for the unfed colonies showed that DOC release represents ca 14 % of the net daily photosynthetically fixed carbon Following each peak in release, concentrations of DOM fell back to routine background levels. The role of free-living, epibiotic and/or intracellular bacteria in the uptake of DOM was therefore investigated. Colonies were labelled with "C-bicarbonate and the subsequent release of "C-DOM was followed in filtered seawater treated with and without prokaryotic inhibitors. No subsequent uptake of I4C-DOM was observed in the presence of inhibitors, suggesting that bacteria may play an important role in DOM uptake. This process may lead to tight nutrient recycling within coral colonies and may enable corals to thrive in oligotrophic waters.KEY WORDS: Corals . Dlssolved organic carbon and nitrogen . Release . Uptake INTRODUCTIONCoral reef environments display a high gross primary production relative to the open ocean (Odum & Odum 1955) and support a large variety of organisms. This high production has been explained by tight nutrient recycling within the reef ecosystem (Smith 1984). Corals are known to release large amounts of nutrients (Crossland 1987, Coffroth 1990 as particulate and dissolved organic carbon (POC and DOC) and nitrogen (PON and DON). The POC and PON are generally referred to collectively as mucus. An important fraction (up to 4 0 % ) of the photosynthetically fixed carbon t...

show abstract

Three patterns of nutrient flux in a coral reef community

Cited by 26 publications

References 9 publications

Linkage of small-scale spatial variations in DOC, inorganic nutrients and bacterioplankton growth with different coral reef water types

Linkage of small-scale spatial variations in DOC, inorganic nutrients and bacterioplankton growth with different coral reef water types

Dissolved nutrients of a high-latitude coral reef, Houtman Abrolhos Islands, Western Australia

Release of dissolved organic carbon and nitrogen by the zooxanthellate coral Galaxea fascicularis

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About