Pulse sediment event does not impact the metabolism of a mixed coral reef community
Ocean and Coastal Management
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Abstract
Sedimentation can bury corals, cause physical abrasion, and alter both spectral intensity and quality; however, few studies have quantified the effects of sedimentation on coral reef metabolism in the context of episodic sedimentation events. Here, we present the first study to measure coral community metabolism - calcification and photosynthesis - in a manipulative mesocosm experiment simulating a pulse sediment event. We exposed a mixed benthic community composed of 75% live carbonate rubble cover and 25% Montipora capitata coral cover to an approximately 275 mg cm−1 (sediment accumulation) acute pulse sediment loading event. No differences were found in net calcification or net photosynthesis between the control and treated mesocosms 48 h and 25 d following exposure to pulse sediment input. Results from this community experiment indicate the ability of Montipora capitata, a common reef coral, to persist under these acute sediment levels, demonstrating resistance to episodic sediment events.
Study Area
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Pulse sediment event does not impact the metabolism of a mixed coral reef community |
| Series title | Ocean and Coastal Management |
| DOI | 10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2019.105007 |
| Volume | 184 |
| Year Published | 2020 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Elsevier |
| Contributing office(s) | Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center |
| Description | 105007, 8 p. |
| Country | United States |
| State | Hawaii |
| Other Geospatial | Kāneʻohe Bay |
| Google Analytic Metrics | Metrics page |