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HERO ID
7879511
Reference Type
Journal Article
Title
Coral growth in high-nutrient, low-pH seawater: A case study of corals cultured at the Waikiki Aquarium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Author(s)
Atkinson, MJ; Carlson, B; Crow, GL
Year
1995
Is Peer Reviewed?
Yes
Journal
Coral Reefs
ISSN:
0722-4028
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Volume
14
Issue
4
Page Numbers
215-223
Language
English
DOI
10.1007/BF00334344
Web of Science Id
WOS:A1995TM29200007
Abstract
Fifty-seven species of hermatypic corals have been maintained and grown in high-nutrient seawater at the Waikiki Aquarium, Honolulu, Hawaii. In this study we document the chemical conditions of aquarium water in terms of dissolved nutrients and carbon. Aquarium water is characterized by concentrations of inorganic nutrients that are high relative to most natural reef ecosystems: SiO3â¼200 μM; PO4â¼0.6 μM; NO3â¼5 μM; NH4â¼2 μM. In contrast, concentrations of organic nutrients are lower than most tropical surface ocean waters: DOP â¼0.1 μM and DON â¼4 μM. The incoming well-water servicing the facility has low pH, crating over-saturation of carbon dioxide. The coral communities in aquaria took up inorganic nutrients and released organic nutrients. Rates of nutrient uptake into aquaria coral communities were similar to nutrient uptake by natural reef communities. Coral growth rates were near the upper rates reported from the field, demonstrating corals can and do flourish in relatively high-nutrient water. The growth of corals does not appear to be inhibited at concentrations of nitrogen up to 5 μM. Statements implying that corals can only grow in low nutrient oligotrophic seawater are therefore oversimplifications of processes that govern growth of these organisms. Some basic guidelines are given for maintenance of coral communities in aquaria. © 1995 Springer-Verlag.
Keywords
aquaria; coral; growth; nutrient dynamics; nutrient-rich water
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