Influence of benthic currents on cold-water coral habitats: a combined benthic monitoring and 3D photogrammetric investigation

Abstract Strong currents are a key component of benthic habitats by supplying food and nutrients to filter-feeding organisms such as cold-water corals. Although field measurements show that cold-water coral habitats exist in areas of elevated bottom currents, flume studies show that cold-water corals feed more effectively at lower flow speeds. This research aims to explore this disconnect in situ by utilising high spatial resolution ROV photogrammetric data coupled with high temporal resolution in situ acoustic doppler current profile measurements at seven study sites within the upper Porcupine Bank Canyon (uPBC), NE Atlantic. Object-based image analysis of photogrammetric data show that coral habitats vary considerably within the upper canyon. Although there is a regional hydrodynamic trend across the uPBC, this variation is likely driven locally by topographic steering. Although live coral tends not to face directly into the prevailing current direction, preferring lower local flows speeds, they can tolerate exposure to high-flow speeds of up to 114 cm s−1, the highest recorded in a Desmophyllum pertusum habitat. Not only do these high flow speeds supply food and nutrients, they may also help contribute to coral rubble production through physical erosion. These results can be incorporated into simulations of future deep-water habitat response to changing environmental conditions while extending the upper current speed threshold for cold-water corals.

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The trophic structure of Spongosorites coralliophaga-coral rubble communities at two northeast Atlantic cold water coral reefs

Marine Biology Research ◽

10.1080/17451000.2016.1216569 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 12 (9) ◽

pp. 932-947 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Georgios Kazanidis ◽

Ursula F. M. Witte

Keyword(s):

Coral Reefs ◽

Trophic Structure ◽

Cold Water ◽

Coral Rubble ◽

Northeast Atlantic ◽

Water Coral

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In situ growth and bioerosion rates of Lophelia pertusa in a Norwegian fjord and open shelf cold-water coral habitat

PeerJ ◽

10.7717/peerj.7586 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 7 ◽

pp. e7586 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Janina V. Büscher ◽

Max Wisshak ◽

Armin U. Form ◽

Jürgen Titschack ◽

Kerstin Nachtigall ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Coral Reef ◽

Growth Rates ◽

Environmental Changes ◽

Cold Water ◽

Lophelia Pertusa ◽

Reef Growth ◽

Dead Coral ◽

Open Shelf ◽

Water Coral

Coral reef resilience depends on the balance between carbonate precipitation, leading to reef growth, and carbonate degradation, for example, through bioerosion. Changes in environmental conditions are likely to affect the two processes differently, thereby shifting the balance between reef growth and degradation. In cold-water corals estimates of accretion-erosion processes in their natural habitat are scarce and solely live coral growth rates were studied with regard to future environmental changes in the laboratory so far, limiting our ability to assess the potential of cold-water coral reef ecosystems to cope with environmental changes. In the present study, growth rates of the two predominant colour morphotypes of live Lophelia pertusa as well as bioerosion rates of dead coral framework were assessed in different environmental settings in Norwegian cold-water coral reefs in a 1-year in situ experiment. Net growth (in weight gain and linear extension) of live L. pertusa was in the lower range of previous estimates and did not significantly differ between inshore (fjord) and offshore (open shelf) habitats. However, slightly higher net growth rates were obtained inshore. Bioerosion rates were significantly higher on-reef in the fjord compared to off-reef deployments in- and offshore. Besides, on-reef coral fragments yielded a broader range of individual growth and bioerosion rates, indicating higher turnover in live reef structures than off-reef with regard to accretion–bioerosion processes. Moreover, if the higher variation in growth rates represents a greater variance in (genetic) adaptations to natural environmental variability in the fjord, inshore reefs could possibly benefit under future ocean change compared to offshore reefs. Although not significantly different due to high variances between replicates, growth rates of orange branches were consistently higher at all sites, while mortality was statistically significantly lower, potentially indicating higher stress-resistance than the less pigmented white phenotype. Comparing the here measured rates of net accretion of live corals (regardless of colour morphotype) with net erosion of dead coral framework gives a first estimate of the dimensions of both processes in natural cold-water coral habitats, indicating that calcium carbonate loss through bioerosion amounts to one fifth to one sixth of the production rates by coral calcification (disregarding accretion processes of other organisms and proportion of live and dead coral framework in a reef). With regard to likely accelerating bioerosion and diminishing growth rates of corals under ocean acidification, the balance of reef accretion and degradation may be shifted towards higher biogenic dissolution in the future.

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Natural ocean acidification at Papagayo upwelling system (North Pacific Costa Rica): implications for reef development

10.5194/bg-2017-459 ◽

2017 ◽

Author(s):

Celeste Sánchez-Noguera ◽

Ines Stuhldreier ◽

Jorge Cortés ◽

Carlos Jiménez ◽

Álvaro Morales ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Costa Rica ◽

Ocean Acidification ◽

Cold Water ◽

Coral Growth ◽

Published Data ◽

High Temporal Resolution ◽

Carbonate System ◽

Saturation State ◽

Aragonite Saturation

Abstract. Numerous experiments have shown that ocean acidification impedes coral calcification, but knowledge about in situ reef ecosystem response to ocean acidification is still scarce. Bahía Culebra, situated at the northern Pacific coast of Costa Rica, is a location naturally exposed to acidic conditions due to the Papagayo seasonal upwelling. We measured pH and pCO2 in situ during two non-upwelling seasons (June 2012, May–June 2013), with a high temporal resolution of every 15 and 30 min, respectively, using two Submersible Autonomous Moored Instruments (SAMI-pH, SAMI-CO2). These results were compared with published data from the upwelling season 2009. Findings revealed that the carbonate system in Bahía Culebra shows a high temporal variability. Incoming offshore waters drive inter- and intra-seasonal changes. Lowest pH (7.8) and highest pCO2 (658.3 µatm) values measured during a cold-water intrusion event in the non-upwelling season were similar to those minimum values reported from upwelling season (pH = 7.8, pCO2 = 643.5 µatm), unveiling that natural acidification occurs sporadically also in non-upwelling season. This affects the interaction of photosynthesis, respiration, calcification, and carbonate dissolution and the resulting diel cycle of pH and pCO2 in the reefs of Bahía Culebra. During non-upwelling season, the aragonite saturation state (Ωa) rises to values of > 3.3 and enhances calcification. Aragonite saturation state values during upwelling season falls below 2.5, hampering calcification and coral growth. Low reef accretion in Bahía Culebra indicates high erosion rates and that these reefs grow on the verge of their ecological tolerance. The Ωa threshold values for coral growth, derived from the correlation between Ωa and coral linear extension rates, suggest that future ocean acidification will threaten reefs in Bahía Culebra. These data contribute to build a better understanding of the carbonate system dynamics and coral reefs key response (e.g. coral growth) to natural low-pH conditions, in upwelling areas in the Eastern Tropical Pacific and beyond.

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Tissue-Associated “Candidatus Mycoplasma corallicola” and Filamentous Bacteria on the Cold-Water Coral Lophelia pertusa (Scleractinia)

Applied and Environmental Microbiology ◽

10.1128/aem.01781-08 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 75 (5) ◽

pp. 1437-1444 ◽

Cited By ~ 50

Author(s):

Sven C. Neulinger ◽

Andrea Gärtner ◽

Johanna Järnegren ◽

Martin Ludvigsen ◽

Karin Lochte ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cold Water ◽

Gastric Fluid ◽

Lophelia Pertusa ◽

Coral Mucus ◽

Key Species ◽

Bona Fide ◽

Catalyzed Reporter Deposition ◽

Bacterial Assemblages ◽

Water Coral

ABSTRACT The cold-water coral Lophelia pertusa (Scleractinia, Caryophylliidae) is a key species in the formation of cold-water reefs, which are among the most diverse deep-sea ecosystems. It occurs in two color varieties: white and red. Bacterial communities associated with Lophelia have been investigated in recent years, but the role of the associated bacteria remains largely obscure. This study uses catalyzed reporter deposition fluorescence in situ hybridization to detect the in situ location of specific bacterial groups on coral specimens from the Trondheimsfjord (Norway). Two tissue-associated groups were identified: (i) bacteria on the host's tentacle ectoderm, “Candidatus Mycoplasma corallicola,” are flasklike, pointed cells and (ii) endoderm-associated bona fide TM7 bacteria form long filaments in the gastral cavity. These tissue-bound bacteria were found in all coral specimens from the Trondheimsfjord, indicating a closer relationship with the coral compared to bacterial assemblages present in coral mucus and gastric fluid.

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Scale worms (Polychaeta: Aphroditiformia) associated with cold-water corals in the eastern Gulf of Mexico

Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom ◽

10.1017/s002531541300088x ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 93 (8) ◽

pp. 2129-2143 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Ruth Barnich ◽

Lydia Beuck ◽

André Freiwald

Keyword(s):

New Species ◽

Gulf Of Mexico ◽

Cold Water ◽

Coral Host ◽

Microscopic Images ◽

Eastern Gulf Of Mexico ◽

Respective Host ◽

Water Coral

During a recent cruise to investigate the cold-water coral habitats in the eastern Gulf of Mexico seven scale worm species (Polychaeta: Aphroditiformia) were found, with four of them new to science:Laetmonice tunicatasp. nov. (Aphroditidae);Eunoe purpureaTreadwell, 1936,Gorgoniapolynoe caeciliae(Fauvel, 1913),Harmothoe dannyisp. nov.,Harmothoe cedricisp. nov. andSubadyte campechensissp. nov. (Polynoidae); andLeanira robustaVerrill, 1885 (Sigalionidae). An extended taxonomic account is given for all species, with detailed descriptions and figures for the new species. Three of the five polynoid species were found associated with a coral host:E. purpureawithBathypathescf.alternataBrook, 1898 (Antipatharia);G. caeciliaewithAcanthogorgia armataVerrill, 1878 andCandidella imbricata(Johnson, 1862) (Octocorallia) andH. dannyisp. nov. withStylaster erubescensPourtalès, 1868 (Hydrozoa). These associations are characterized in detail and documented byin situROV pictures and microscopic images and videos of the live animals, together with their respective host.

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Peer Review #2 of "In situ growth and bioerosion rates of Lophelia pertusa in a Norwegian fjord and open shelf cold-water coral habitat (v0.1)"

10.7287/peerj.7586v0.1/reviews/2 ◽

2019 ◽

Keyword(s):

Peer Review ◽

Cold Water ◽

In Situ Growth ◽

Lophelia Pertusa ◽

Norwegian Fjord ◽

Open Shelf ◽

Water Coral

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Microhabitat and shrimp abundance within a Norwegian cold-water coral ecosystem

Biogeosciences Discussions ◽

10.5194/bgd-10-3365-2013 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 10 (2) ◽

pp. 3365-3396 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

A. Purser ◽

J. Ontrup ◽

T. Schoening ◽

L. Thomsen ◽

R. Tong ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cold Water ◽

Image Data ◽

Distribution Patterns ◽

Lophelia Pertusa ◽

Coral Rubble ◽

Primnoa Resedaeformis ◽

Order Of Magnitude ◽

Paragorgia Arborea ◽

Shrimp Abundance ◽

Water Coral

Abstract. Cold-water coral reefs are highly heterogeneous ecosystems comprising of a range of diverse microhabitats. In a typical European cold-water coral reef various biogenic habitats (live colonies of locally common coral species such as Lophelia pertusa, Paragorgia arborea and Primnoa resedaeformis, dead coral structure, coral rubble) may be surrounded and intermixed with non-biogenic habitats (soft sediment, hardground, gravel/pebbles, steep walls). To date, studies of distribution of sessile fauna across these microhabitats have been more numerous than those investigating mobile fauna distribution. In this study we quantified shrimp densities associated with key CWC habitat categories at the Røst reef, Norway, by analysing image data collected by towed video sled. We also investigated shrimp distribution patterns on the local scale (<40 cm) and how these may vary with habitat. We found shrimp abundances at the Røst reef to be on average an order of magnitude greater in biogenic reef habitats than in non-biogenic habitats. Greatest shrimp densities were observed in association with live Paragorgia arborea habitats (43 shrimp m−2, SD = 35.5), live Primnoa resedaeformis habitats (41.6 shrimp m−2, SD = 26.1) and live Lophelia pertusa habitats (24.4 shrimp m−2, SD = 18.6). In non-biogenic habitats shrimp densities were <2 shrimp m−2. We conclude that CWC reef habitats clearly support greater shrimp densities than the surrounding non-biogenic habitats on the Norwegian margin.

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Peer Review #2 of "In situ growth and bioerosion rates of Lophelia pertusa in a Norwegian fjord and open shelf cold-water coral habitat (v0.2)"

10.7287/peerj.7586v0.2/reviews/2 ◽

2019 ◽

Keyword(s):

Peer Review ◽

Cold Water ◽

In Situ Growth ◽

Lophelia Pertusa ◽

Norwegian Fjord ◽

Open Shelf ◽

Water Coral

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Natural ocean acidification at Papagayo upwelling system (north Pacific Costa Rica): implications for reef development

Biogeosciences ◽

10.5194/bg-15-2349-2018 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 15 (8) ◽

pp. 2349-2360 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Celeste Sánchez-Noguera ◽

Ines Stuhldreier ◽

Jorge Cortés ◽

Carlos Jiménez ◽

Álvaro Morales ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Costa Rica ◽

Ocean Acidification ◽

Cold Water ◽

Coral Growth ◽

Published Data ◽

High Temporal Resolution ◽

Carbonate System ◽

Saturation State ◽

Northern Pacific

Abstract. Numerous experiments have shown that ocean acidification impedes coral calcification, but knowledge about in situ reef ecosystem response to ocean acidification is still scarce. Bahía Culebra, situated at the northern Pacific coast of Costa Rica, is a location naturally exposed to acidic conditions due to the Papagayo seasonal upwelling. We measured pH and pCO2 in situ during two non-upwelling seasons (June 2012, May–June 2013), with a high temporal resolution of every 15 and 30 min, respectively, using two Submersible Autonomous Moored Instruments (SAMI-pH, SAMI-CO2). These results were compared with published data from the 2009 upwelling season. Findings revealed that the carbonate system in Bahía Culebra shows a high temporal variability. Incoming offshore waters drive intra- and interseasonal changes. Lowest pH (7.8) and highest pCO2 (658.3 µatm) values measured during a cold-water intrusion event in the non-upwelling season were similar to those minimum values reported from upwelling season (pH  =  7.8, pCO2  =  643.5 µatm), unveiling that natural acidification also occurs sporadically in the non-upwelling season. This affects the interaction of photosynthesis, respiration, calcification and carbonate dissolution and the resulting diel cycle of pH and pCO2 in the reefs of Bahía Culebra. During the non-upwelling season, the aragonite saturation state (Ωa) rises to values of >  3.3 and during the upwelling season falls below 2.5. The Ωa threshold values for coral growth were derived from the correlation between measured Ωa and coral linear extension rates which were obtained from the literature and suggest that future ocean acidification will threaten the continued growth of reefs in Bahía Culebra. These data contribute to building a better understanding of the carbonate system dynamics and coral reefs' key response (e.g., coral growth) to natural low-pH conditions, in upwelling areas in the eastern tropical Pacific and beyond.

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