Why is bacterioplankton growth in coral reef framework cavities enhanced?

Scheffers, Sander; Bak, Rolf P. M.; Duyl, Fleur C. van

doi:10.3354/meps299089

Cited by 26 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 46 publications

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“…These sources can support benthic heterotrophic bacteria (Cole et al ., ; Alongi, ) and can be supplemented by upwelling and runoff, as well as by interaction of interstitial fluids with basement rocks (Steinmann & Déjardin, ). In addition, heterotrophic bacteria such as sulfate reducers can be supported by particulate and dissolved organic matter derived from the reef organisms with which they are closely associated (Richter et al ., ; Scheffers et al ., ; Heindel et al ., ). It has been shown that decomposition of organic matter in reef frameworks produces interstitial waters that are sufficiently nutrient‐rich for reefs to be net exporters of nutrients (Tribble et al ., ; Ayukai, ; Rougerie & Wauthy, ; Rasheed et al ., ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Millennial‐scale ocean acidification and late Quaternary decline of cryptic bacterial crusts in tropical reefs

2014

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Ocean acidification by atmospheric carbon dioxide has increased almost continuously since the last glacial maximum (LGM), 21,000 years ago. It is expected to impair tropical reef development, but effects on reefs at the present day and in the recent past have proved difficult to evaluate. We present evidence that acidification has already significantly reduced the formation of calcified bacterial crusts in tropical reefs. Unlike major reef builders such as coralline algae and corals that more closely control their calcification, bacterial calcification is very sensitive to ambient changes in carbonate chemistry. Bacterial crusts in reef cavities have declined in thickness over the past 14,000 years with largest reduction occurring 12,000-10,000 years ago. We interpret this as an early effect of deglacial ocean acidification on reef calcification and infer that similar crusts were likely to have been thicker when seawater carbonate saturation was increased during earlier glacial intervals, and thinner during interglacials. These changes in crust thickness could have substantially affected reef development over glacial cycles, as rigid crusts significantly strengthen framework and their reduction would have increased the susceptibility of reefs to biological and physical erosion. Bacterial crust decline reveals previously unrecognized millennial-scale acidification effects on tropical reefs. This directs attention to the role of crusts in reef formation and the ability of bioinduced calcification to reflect changes in seawater chemistry. It also provides a long-term context for assessing anticipated anthropogenic effects.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Millennial‐scale ocean acidification and late Quaternary decline of cryptic bacterial crusts in tropical reefs

2014

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“…As a result, it is likely that microbes contribute to the primary producer component of detrital material and that heterotrophic activity, breaking down reef detritus, is relatively low. The low residence time of detrital material on Palmyra's reef surface may not provide adequate time for heterotrophic microbial colonization, whereas there may be more heterotrophic microbial activity within the reef matrix (Scheffers et al 2005), where detrital residence times are likely higher.…”

Section: Processes Influencing Patterns Of Detrital Composition and Amentioning

confidence: 99%

Benthic processes and overlying fish assemblages drive the composition of benthic detritus on a central Pacific coral reef

Max¹,

Hamilton²,

Gaines³

et al. 2013

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

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While detrital material is recognized as an important food source on coral reefs, its role in reef food webs remains unclear. We quantified standing stock and input rates to the detrital resource pool in exposed forereef and protected backreef habitats of Palmyra Atoll National Wildlife Refuge and measured the trophic structure of the overlying fish assemblage. While detrital standing stock was 1.6 times higher on the backreef than on the forereef, detrital input rates were 1.7 to 2.9 times higher on the forereef. Planktivores were the most abundant guild in the fore reef habitat, and stable isotope signatures of detritus reflected a greater input from pelagic sources (i.e. depleted in 13 C). In contrast, herbivores and detritivores numerically dominated the backreef habitat and detrital stable isotope signatures appeared to be predominately of benthic origin (i.e. enriched in 13 C). Through total organic carbon (TOC) and nitrogen analyses we found that benthic detritus may represent a significant nutritional source. Converting total nitrogen into maximum protein estimates, we found high benthic deposition of protein (104 to 124 mg m −2 d −1) and organic carbon (184 to 190 mg m −2 d −1), but very low standing stocks of these materials (protein: 5 to 6 mg m −2 , organic carbon: 46 to 63 mg m −2). While high water flow rates may explain low standing stocks of detritus in forereef habitats, the lower flow rates in backreef habitats suggest that removal of this material is via consumption by abundant roving detritivorous fishes. Our results provide support for the hypothesis that reef fish detritivory represents a significant consumer-mediated energy pathway, promoting nutrient recycling by linking many elements of a complex food web.

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“…An enrichment with respect to nitrite, nitrate and DIN has been found in the interstitial water of tropical and temperate corals (Schiller and Herndl, 1989) and in coral reef cavities (Van Duyl et al, 2006;Scheffers et al, 2005). There was no consistent difference in the rates of nutrient flux (ammonium, nitrite, DIN and DIP) between experiments with NSW as incubation water and experiments with incubation water, where viral and prokaryotic abundance was manipulated (Table 4).…”

Section: Nutrient Dynamics and Mucus Releasementioning

confidence: 85%

Dynamics of nutrients, total organic carbon, prokaryotes and viruses in onboard incubations of cold-water corals

et al. 2011

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Abstract. The potential influence of the cold-water corals (CWCs) Lophelia pertusa and Madrepora oculata on the dynamics of inorganic nutrient and total organic carbon (TOC) concentrations and the abundances of prokaryotes and viruses in bottom water was assessed in onboard incubation experiments. Ammonium, nitrite, dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN), dissolved inorganic phosphorus (DIP) and TOC concentrations and N:P ratios were typically higher in incubation water with corals than in controls, whereas nitrate concentrations did not reveal a clear trend. Mucus release (normalized to coral surface) was estimated by the net increase rate of TOC concentrations and averaged 23 ± 6 mg C m −2 h −1 for L. pertusa and 21 ± 8 mg C m −2 h −1 for M. oculata. Prokaryotic and viral abundance and turnover rates were typically stimulated in incubation water with corals. This estimated prokaryotic stimulation averaged 6.0 ± 3.0 × 10 9 cells m −2 h −1 for L. pertusa and 8.4 ± 2.9 × 10 9 cells m −2 h −1 for M. oculata, whereas the estimated viral stimulation averaged 15.6 ± 12.7 × 10 9 particles m −2 h −1 for L. pertusa and 4.3 ± 0.4 × 10 9 particles m −2 h −1 M. oculata. Our data suggest that prokaryotes and viruses are released from corals and that nutrient and mucus release enhanced prokaryotic and viral production. The result of this stimulation could be a fuelling of bottom water in CWC reefs with nutrients and organic matter and consequently an enhancement of microbe-mediated processes.

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Why is bacterioplankton growth in coral reef framework cavities enhanced?

Cited by 26 publications

References 46 publications

Millennial‐scale ocean acidification and late Quaternary decline of cryptic bacterial crusts in tropical reefs

Millennial‐scale ocean acidification and late Quaternary decline of cryptic bacterial crusts in tropical reefs

Benthic processes and overlying fish assemblages drive the composition of benthic detritus on a central Pacific coral reef

Dynamics of nutrients, total organic carbon, prokaryotes and viruses in onboard incubations of cold-water corals

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