Work

Community metabolism and air-sea C02 fluxes in a coral reef ecosystem (Moorea, French Polynesia)

Year: 1993

Type: article

Abstract: Community metabolism (primary production, respiration and calcification) and air-sea CO2 fluxes of the 'Tiahura barrier reef' (Moorea, French Polynesia) were investigated in November and December 1991 Gross production and respiration were respectively 640.2 to 753 and 590.4 to 641.5 mm01 (02 or CO2) m-' d-l (7.7 to 9.0 and 7.1 to 7.7 g C m-2 d ') and the reef displayed a slightly negative excess (= net) production.The contribution of planktonic primary production to reef metabolism was negligible (0.15 ?4, of total gross production).Net calcification was positive both during the day and at night; its daily value was 243 mm01 CaCO, m-2 d -' (24.3 g CaC03 m m 2 d-l).Reef metabolism decreased seawater total CO2 by 433.3 mm01 m--d-' The air-sea CO, fluxes were close to zero in the ocean but displayed a strong daily pattern at the reef front and the back reef.Fluxes were positive (COz evasion) at night, decreased as irradiance increased and were negative during the day (COz invasion) Integration of the fluxes measured during a 24 h experiment at the back reef showed that the reef was a source of CO2 to the atmosphere (1 5 minol m-2 d-l).

Source: Marine Ecology Progress Series

DOI: 10.3354/meps096259

Authors: J-P Gattuso, M Pichon, B Delesalle, M Frankignoulle

Institutions: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université de Perpignan, École Pratique des Hautes Études, Australian Institute of Marine Science, University of Liège

Language: English

Topic: Coral and Marine Ecosystems Studies

Subfield: Ecology

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Life below water, Climate action

Open Access status: bronze

Funders: Australian Institute of Marine Science, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique