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Pigmentation of massive corals as a simple bioindicator for marine water quality.
- Source :
- Marine Pollution Bulletin; Jul2012, Vol. 65 Issue 4-9, p333-341, 9p
- Publication Year :
- 2012
-
Abstract
- Abstract: Photo-acclimatisation by the algal endosymbionts of scleractinian corals to changes in environmental conditions may influence their density and/or the concentration of photosynthetic pigments, and hence coral brightness, on short time-scales. To examine coral pigmentation as a bioindicator of water quality, the brightness of massive corals was quantified using colour charts, concentrations of the pigment chlorophyll a and reflectance spectrometry in the field and with manipulative experiments. Along a water quality gradient, massive Porites became progressively lighter as nutrients decreased and irradiance increased. A laboratory experiment showed that Porites nubbins darkened within 25days following exposure to reduced water quality. The results of a transplantation experiment of Porites nubbins in a manipulation incorporating multiple depths and zones of water quality confirmed colony brightness as a simple tool to monitor changes in marine water quality, provided effects due to other influences on pigmentation, e.g. seawater temperatures, are taken into consideration. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 0025326X
- Volume :
- 65
- Issue :
- 4-9
- Database :
- Supplemental Index
- Journal :
- Marine Pollution Bulletin
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 76917955
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2011.07.019