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

PeerJ ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. e7586 ◽  
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.

scholarly journals <sup>210</sup>Pb-<sup>226</sup>Ra chronology reveals rapid growth rate of <i>Madrepora oculata</i> and <i>Lophelia pertusa</i> on world's largest cold-water coral reef

2012 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 1253-1265 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Sabatier ◽  
J.-L. Reyss ◽  
J. M. Hall-Spencer ◽  
C. Colin ◽  
N. Frank ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Coral Reef ◽  
Metal Oxides ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Cold Water ◽  
Age And Growth ◽  
Lophelia Pertusa ◽  
Fe Oxide ◽  
Oxide Contamination ◽  
Water Coral

Abstract. Here we show the use of the 210Pb-226Ra excess method to determine the growth rate of two corals from the world's largest known cold-water coral reef, Røst Reef, north of the Arctic circle off Norway. Colonies of each of the two species that build the reef, Lophelia pertusa and Madrepora oculata, were collected alive at 350 m depth using a submersible. Pb and Ra isotopes were measured along the major growth axis of both specimens using low level alpha and gamma spectrometry and trace element compositions were studied. 210Pb and 226Ra differ in the way they are incorporated into coral skeletons. Hence, to assess growth rates, we considered the exponential decrease of initially incorporated 210Pb, as well as the increase in 210Pb from the decay of 226Ra and contamination with 210Pb associated with Mn-Fe coatings that we were unable to remove completely from the oldest parts of the skeletons. 226Ra activity was similar in both coral species, so, assuming constant uptake of 210Pb through time, we used the 210Pb-226Ra chronology to calculate growth rates. The 45.5 cm long branch of M. oculata was 31 yr with an average linear growth rate of 14.4 ± 1.1 mm yr−1 (2.6 polyps per year). Despite cleaning, a correction for Mn-Fe oxide contamination was required for the oldest part of the colony; this correction corroborated our radiocarbon date of 40 yr and a mean growth rate of 2 polyps yr−1. This rate is similar to the one obtained in aquarium experiments under optimal growth conditions. For the 80 cm-long L. pertusa colony, metal-oxide contamination remained in both the middle and basal part of the coral skeleton despite cleaning, inhibiting similar age and growth rate estimates. The youngest part of the colony was free of metal oxides and this 15 cm section had an estimated a growth rate of 8 mm yr−1, with high uncertainty (~1 polyp every two to three years). We are less certain of this 210Pb growth rate estimate which is within the lowermost ranges of previous growth rate estimates. We show that 210Pb-226Ra dating can be successfully applied to determine the age and growth rate of framework-forming cold-water corals if Mn-Fe oxide deposits can be removed. Where metal oxides can be removed, large M. oculata and L. pertusa skeletons provide archives for studies of intermediate water masses with an up to annual time resolution and spanning over many decades.

scholarly journals <sup>210</sup>Pb-<sup>226</sup>Ra chronology reveals rapid growth rate of <i>Madrepora oculata</I> and <i>Lophelia pertusa</i> on world's largest cold-water coral reef

2011 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 12247-12283
Author(s):  
P. Sabatier ◽  
J.-L. Reyss ◽  
J. M. Hall-Spencer ◽  
C. Colin ◽  
N. Frank ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Coral Reef ◽  
Linear Growth ◽  
Cold Water ◽  
Optimal Growth ◽  
Growth Conditions ◽  
Age And Growth ◽  
Linear Growth Rate ◽  
Lophelia Pertusa ◽  
Water Coral

Abstract. Here we show the use of the 210Pb-226Ra excess method to determine the growth rate of corals from one of the world's largest known cold-water coral reef, the Røst Reef off Norway. Two large branching framework-forming cold-water coral specimens, one Lophelia pertusa and one Madrepora oculata were collected alive at 350 m water depth from the Røst Reef at ~67° N and ~9° E. Pb and Ra isotopes were measured along the major growth axis of both specimens using low level alpha and gamma spectrometry and the corals trace element compositions were studied using ICP-QMS. Due to the different chemical behaviors of Pb and Ra in the marine environment, 210Pb and 226Ra were not incorporated the same way into the aragonite skeleton of those two cold-water corals. Thus to assess of the growth rates of both specimens we have here taken in consideration the exponential decrease of initially incorporated 210Pb as well as the ingrowth of 210Pb from the decay of 226Ra. Moreover a~post-depositional 210Pb incorporation is found in relation to the Mn-Fe coatings that could not be entirely removed from the oldest parts of the skeletons. The 226Ra activities in both corals were fairly constant, then assuming constant uptake of 210Pb through time the 210Pb-226Ra chronology can be applied to calculate linear growth rate. The 45.5 cm long branch of M. oculata reveals an age of 31 yr and a~linear growth rate of 14.4 ± 1.1 mm yr−1, i.e. 2.6 polyps per year. However, a correction regarding a remaining post-depositional Mn-Fe oxide coating is needed for the base of the specimen. The corrected age tend to confirm the radiocarbon derived basal age of 40 yr (using 14C bomb peak) with a mean growth rate of 2 polyps yr−1. This rate is similar to the one obtained in Aquaria experiments under optimal growth conditions. For the 80 cm-long specimen of L. pertusa a remaining contamination of metal-oxides is observed for the middle and basal part of the coral skeleton, inhibiting similar accurate age and growth rate estimates. However, the youngest branch was free of Mn enrichment and this 15 cm section reveals a growth rate of 8 mm yr−1 (~1 polyp every two to three years). However, the 210Pb growth rate estimate is within the lowermost ranges of previous growth rate estimates and may thus reflect that the coral was not developing at optimal growth conditions. Overall, 210Pb-226Ra dating can be successfully applied to determine the age and growth rate of framework-forming cold-water corals, however, removal of post-depositional Mn-Fe oxide deposits is a prerequisite. If successful, large branching M. oculata and L. pertusa coral skeletons provide unique oceanographic archive for studies of intermediate water environmentals with an up to annual time resolution and spanning over many decades.

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

2008 ◽  
Vol 75 (5) ◽  
pp. 1437-1444 ◽  
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.

scholarly journals Imprint of Holocene Climate Variability on Cold-Water Coral Reef Growth at the SW Rockall Trough Margin, NE Atlantic

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (8) ◽  
pp. 2437-2452 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucile Bonneau ◽  
Christophe Colin ◽  
Edwige Pons-Branchu ◽  
Furu Mienis ◽  
Nadine Tisnérat-Laborde ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coral Reef ◽  
Climate Variability ◽  
Cold Water ◽  
Reef Growth ◽  
Ne Atlantic ◽  
Holocene Climate ◽  
Rockall Trough ◽  
Water Coral

scholarly journals Environmental constraints on Holocene cold-water coral reef growth off Norway: Insights from a multiproxy approach

2016 ◽  
Vol 31 (10) ◽  
pp. 1350-1367 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacek Raddatz ◽  
Volker Liebetrau ◽  
Julie Trotter ◽  
Andres Rüggeberg ◽  
Sascha Flögel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coral Reef ◽  
Cold Water ◽  
Environmental Constraints ◽  
Reef Growth ◽  
Multiproxy Approach ◽  
Water Coral
Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document