Annual band width variation in Porites sp. from Aqaba, Gulf of Aqaba, Red Sea.

Heiss, Georg A. (1996) Annual band width variation in Porites sp. from Aqaba, Gulf of Aqaba, Red Sea. Bulletin of Marine Science, 59 (2). pp. 393-403.

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Abstract

Studies on core samples of the genus Porites in the northern Gulf of Aqaba revealed marked short-term variations in the growth rate of this coral over the last 20 years, Individual growth rates show high variations, even among colonies growing next to each other, These variations might be attributed to locally restricted differences in the reef environment, or to endogenous differences between the individual colonies, A general increase in linear extension rate was observed for colonies situated in a relatively undisturbed reef area between 1 m and 15 m water depth. Over the time period 1972–1992, major variations in climate conditions that could have affected coral growth were not observed. Reduction of terrestrial sediment influx is a possible reason for the accelerated growth rates. The effect of intense sediment loading on the rate of coral growth within a stressed environment is demonstrated for one Porites-core taken from a colony growing in the vicinity of the phosphate loading berth at Aqaba. The drastic decrease in growth rate at this location during the observed time span stands in contrast with the general development of Aqaba's reefs and is most probably the result of sediment stress.

Document Type: Article
Keywords: Gulf of Aqaba, Red Sea; Porites, coral reef
Research affiliation: OceanRep > GEOMAR > FB1 Ocean Circulation and Climate Dynamics > FB1-P-OZ Paleo-Oceanography
Refereed: Yes
Open Access Journal?: No
Publisher: University of Miami - Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science
Date Deposited: 16 Feb 2016 12:50
Last Modified: 21 Jan 2019 15:11
URI: https://oceanrep.geomar.de/id/eprint/31360

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