Urban coral communities and water quality parameters along the coasts of Guangdong Province, China

Zhao, Yu; Law, Yu Sheung; Zhai, Ximei; Zhou, Kai; Chen, Mingru; Qiu, Jian‐Wen

doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.113821

Cited by 8 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 37 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Little is known about the carbonate system dominated by subtropical coral reefs, where the environmental characteristics are significantly different from those in tropical coral reefs. The coastal waters of Dapeng Peninsula, located in the SCS next to the eastern coastline of Shenzhen, belong to subtropical waters, and have a large number of coral colonies distributed throughout [37][38][39]. The metabolic processes of these corals and related organisms may significantly affect the dynamics of the carbonate system in seawater, but the relevant information is still unknown.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Multiple Factors Driving Carbonate System in Subtropical Coral Community Environments along Dapeng Peninsula, South China Sea

et al. 2023

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Coral reef ecosystems have extremely high primary productivity and play an important role in the marine carbon cycle. However, due to the high carbon metabolism efficiency of coral communities, little is known about the carbon sink–source properties of coral reefs. In November 2022, in situ field investigations coupled with incubation experiments were conducted in typical subtropical coral reef waters, i.e., Yangmeikeng Sea Area (Area I) and Dalu Bay (Area Ⅱ), to explore the dynamics of the carbonate system and its controlling factors. The results revealed that the carbonate parameters had high variability, comprehensively forced by various physical and biochemical processes. Overall, Areas I and Ⅱ were net sinks of atmospheric CO2, with net uptake fluxes of 1.66 ± 0.40 and 0.99 ± 0.08 mmol C m−2 day−1, respectively. The aragonite saturation state (ΩA), 3.04–3.87, was within the range adequate for growth of tropical shallow-water scleractinian corals. Inorganic carbon budget results indicated that photosynthesis and microbial respiration were the main factors affecting the dynamics of carbonate systems in the whole study area. However, focusing on the reef areas, coral metabolism was also a key factor affecting the carbonate system in seawater (especially in Area I) and its contribution accounted for 28.9–153.3% of the microbial respiration. This study highlighted that metabolism of coral communities could significantly affect the seawater carbonate system, which is of great significance in the context of the current process of ocean acidification.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Multiple Factors Driving Carbonate System in Subtropical Coral Community Environments along Dapeng Peninsula, South China Sea

et al. 2023

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…While naturally-extreme coral environments have been identified worldwide in areas ranging from volcanic CO 2 seeps 10 and upwelling regions 11 , to mangrove channels 12 and tide pools 13 , recent attention has focused on corals living in close proximity to metropolitan areas 14 – 17 . These so-called urban coral communities, which can develop on anthropogenic substrates and structures, are by their very nature relevant to reef coexistence in the Anthropocene.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Coral persistence despite marginal conditions in the Port of Miami

Enochs

Studivan

Kolodziej

et al. 2023

Sci Rep

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Coral cover has declined worldwide due to anthropogenic stressors that manifest on both global and local scales. Coral communities that exist in extreme conditions can provide information on how these stressors influence ecosystem structure, with implications for their persistence under future conditions. The Port of Miami is located within an urbanized environment, with active coastal development, as well as commercial shipping and recreational boating activity. Monitoring of sites throughout the Port since 2018 has revealed periodic extremes in temperature, seawater pH, and salinity, far in excess of what have been measured in most coral reef environments. Despite conditions that would kill many reef species, we have documented diverse coral communities growing on artificial substrates at these sites—reflecting remarkable tolerance to environmental stressors. Furthermore, many of the more prevalent species within these communities are now conspicuously absent or in low abundance on nearby reefs, owing to their susceptibility and exposure to stony coral tissue loss disease. Natural reef frameworks, however, are largely absent at the urban sites and while diverse fish communities are documented, it is unlikely that these communities provide the same goods and services as natural reef habitats. Regardless, the existence of these communities indicates unlikely persistence and highlights the potential for coexistence of threatened species in anthropogenic environments, provided that suitable stewardship strategies are in place.

show abstract