22
Reef Lime Constructions
Table 1.3. Rate of calcification (Rc, mgg-1h- 1 of CaC0 3 ) in some reef calcareous
animals and plants in daytime
Groups of
Taxa
Rc
Reference
calcifiers
Coralline algae
Amphiroa fragilissima
2.09
Stark et al. (1969)
Amphiroa foliacea
0.26
Borowitzka (1979)
Porolithon oncoides
0.30
Littler (1976)
Green calcareous Halimeda opunta
0.70
Stark et al. (1969)
algae
Halimeda tuna
2.90
Bi:ihm (1978)
Halimeda discoidea
0.35
Goreau (1963)
Penicillus sp.
1.05
Goreau (1963)
Udotea sp.
2.90
Goreau (1963)
Brown calcareous Padina sanctaecircus
3.13
Goreau (1963)
algae
ScIeractinian
Acropora cervicornis
2.4-3.3
Goreau (1963)
corals
Porites furcata
0.28
Goreau (1963)
Average for 11 species, Jamaica 1-2
Goreau (1963)
Acropora cervicornis
0.20
Chalker (1983)
Acropora sp.
0.20
Barnes et al. (1976)
Acropora palmata
0.16-0.26 Gladfelter et al. (1978)
Hydrocorals
Millepora complanata
0.26
Goreau (1963)
cification in corals result in an annual production of 2-10 kg m -2 of CaC0 3
by the coral cover of a bottom surface of 10-30% (Gladfelter et al. 1978).
The evaluation of calcification rates in whole coral reef communities may
be based on: a) the experimental estimation of Rc in common species with
taking into account the relative bottom area covered by them (Smith and
Kinsey 1976); b) measurements of linear growth of the dominant corals
(Jokiel et al. 1978); c) observations of changes in the topography of definite
reefal constructions in time in conjunction with radiocarbon dating of the
rock's age (Davies 1983), and estimations of the carbon balance of the
whole reef (Sargent and Austin 1949). Linear and mass growth in corals
could be measured by X-ray analysis of annual rings on cross-sections of
colonies (Macintyre and Smith 1974). But the most widespread is the
alizarine method. The colony of corals or its branch is covered in situ with a
plastic bag, into which the stain is then injected. After several months of
exposure on reef the colony is cut into sections and its growth beyond the
boundary of the stained layer is measured (Stoddart and Johannes 1978;
Oliver et al. 1983).
The linear growth of corals depends on the morphology of their colonies
(Table 1.4). The highest values were recorded in common ramose acroporid
corals, such as Acropora cervicornis, A. palmata, A. formosa, A. prolifera,
A. pulchra: 4-20 cm year-I. Average rates of linear growth is peculiar to the
foliose, columnar, cribose corals and to corals with short branches like
Agaricia, Turbinaria, Madracis, Pocillopora, Porites, Pavona: 0.54 cm year-I. In the massive corals, in which the ratio of area to volume of
Reef Lime Constructions
Table 1.3. Rate of calcification (Rc, mgg-1h- 1 of CaC0 3 ) in some reef calcareous
animals and plants in daytime
Groups of
Taxa
Rc
Reference
calcifiers
Coralline algae
Amphiroa fragilissima
2.09
Stark et al. (1969)
Amphiroa foliacea
0.26
Borowitzka (1979)
Porolithon oncoides
0.30
Littler (1976)
Green calcareous Halimeda opunta
0.70
Stark et al. (1969)
algae
Halimeda tuna
2.90
Bi:ihm (1978)
Halimeda discoidea
0.35
Goreau (1963)
Penicillus sp.
1.05
Goreau (1963)
Udotea sp.
2.90
Goreau (1963)
Brown calcareous Padina sanctaecircus
3.13
Goreau (1963)
algae
ScIeractinian
Acropora cervicornis
2.4-3.3
Goreau (1963)
corals
Porites furcata
0.28
Goreau (1963)
Average for 11 species, Jamaica 1-2
Goreau (1963)
Acropora cervicornis
0.20
Chalker (1983)
Acropora sp.
0.20
Barnes et al. (1976)
Acropora palmata
0.16-0.26 Gladfelter et al. (1978)
Hydrocorals
Millepora complanata
0.26
Goreau (1963)
cification in corals result in an annual production of 2-10 kg m -2 of CaC0 3
by the coral cover of a bottom surface of 10-30% (Gladfelter et al. 1978).
The evaluation of calcification rates in whole coral reef communities may
be based on: a) the experimental estimation of Rc in common species with
taking into account the relative bottom area covered by them (Smith and
Kinsey 1976); b) measurements of linear growth of the dominant corals
(Jokiel et al. 1978); c) observations of changes in the topography of definite
reefal constructions in time in conjunction with radiocarbon dating of the
rock's age (Davies 1983), and estimations of the carbon balance of the
whole reef (Sargent and Austin 1949). Linear and mass growth in corals
could be measured by X-ray analysis of annual rings on cross-sections of
colonies (Macintyre and Smith 1974). But the most widespread is the
alizarine method. The colony of corals or its branch is covered in situ with a
plastic bag, into which the stain is then injected. After several months of
exposure on reef the colony is cut into sections and its growth beyond the
boundary of the stained layer is measured (Stoddart and Johannes 1978;
Oliver et al. 1983).
The linear growth of corals depends on the morphology of their colonies
(Table 1.4). The highest values were recorded in common ramose acroporid
corals, such as Acropora cervicornis, A. palmata, A. formosa, A. prolifera,
A. pulchra: 4-20 cm year-I. Average rates of linear growth is peculiar to the
foliose, columnar, cribose corals and to corals with short branches like
Agaricia, Turbinaria, Madracis, Pocillopora, Porites, Pavona: 0.54 cm year-I. In the massive corals, in which the ratio of area to volume of