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In situ studies of metabolism in benthic reef communities

In-situ-Studien über den Stoffwechsel benthonischer Lebensgemeinschaften des Korallenriffs

Helgoländer wissenschaftliche Meeresuntersuchungen volume 24, pages 78–81 (1973)Cite this article

Kurzfassung

Im Rahmen mehrerer amerikanischer Unterwasser-Forschungsprogramme wurden Stoffwechseluntersuchungen in verschiedenen Korallenriffen an Benthostieren durchgeführt, die in symbiotischer Partnerschaft mit Zooxanthellen leben. An Korallen- undTridacna-Arten wurden in situ die Beziehungen zwischen Nettophotosynthese und Sauerstoffverbrauch (P/R-Verhältnis) gemessen. Als Maximalwert wurde beiManicina areolata ein P/R-Verhältnis von 2,9 ermittelt. Die auf einen Zeitraum von 24 Stunden bezogenen Durchschnittswerte lagen zwischen 0,79 und 0,89. Es wurde festgestellt, daß die photosynthetische Aktivität der Korallen in verunreinigten Riffgebieten stark absinkt.

Summary

1. Rates of net photosynthesis and respiration were determined in situ forTridacna and coral species and their contained zooxanthellae at depths from 9 to 18 m.

2. Integrated daily total net photosynthesis to respiration ratios (P/R ratio) were calculated from these data to obtain the potential contribution of algal photosynthesis to the energy budget of the coral-algal symbiotic association.

3. The integrated daily P/R ratios varied between 0.79 and .89. Maximum ratios of photosynthesis to respiration rates ranged from 1.15 forMussa arrgulosa to 2.91 forManicina areolata.

4. Similar measurements were made on mixed benthic communities off southeastern Florida (USA) in a clean, unpolluted area and in an area influenced by the effluent of Biscayne Bay (USA). Very significant differences were found.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Manned Undersea Science and Technology Program, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Rockville, Maryland, USA

    J. M. Wells, A. H. Wells & J. G. VanDerwalker

Authors
  1. J. M. Wells
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  2. A. H. Wells
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  3. J. G. VanDerwalker
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Wells, J.M., Wells, A.H. & VanDerwalker, J.G. In situ studies of metabolism in benthic reef communities. Helgolander Wiss. Meeresunters 24, 78–81 (1973). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01609500

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01609500

Keywords

Helgoland Marine Research

ISSN: 1438-3888

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