Abstract
Fourteen environmental variables were monitored at seven locations along the west coast of Barbados on a weekly basis over a one-year period, 1981 to 1982. The physicochemical and biological data indicate that an environmental gradient exists as a result of increased eutrophication of coastal waters. Growth rates (linear extension) of Montastrea annularis (Ellis and Solander), measured along the environmental gradient, exhibit high correlation with a number of water quality variables. Concentration of suspended particulate matter is the best univariate estimator of M. annularis skeletal extension rates (r 2=0.79, P<0.0001). The results suggest that suspended particulate matter may be an energy source for reef corals, increasing growth up to a certain maximum concentration. After this, reduction of growth occurs due to smothering, reduced light levels and reduced zooxanthellae photosynthesis.
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Communicated by R. W. Doyle, Halifax
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Tomascik, T., Sander, F. Effects of eutrophication on reef-building corals. Mar. Biol. 87, 143–155 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00539422
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00539422