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Published byAmbrose Hardy Modified over 9 years ago
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Part II Section 5
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What is a coral? What is a coral? Healthy corals accumulate CaCO 3 at rate of 3-15 meters in 1000 years
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Predation Crown-of-thorns starfish (Acanthaster planci): coral predator in Indo-Pacific Reefs Time lag = cause/effect (max. # of predators as coral level falls) Removal of the starfish Removal of the starfish Click video
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Storm Damage ◦ Hurricanes or tropical storms ◦ Physical breakage of corals ◦ Abrasive sediments Hurricane Hattie (1961 – Cat 5) destroyed 43 km of the British Honduras barrier reef ◦ Recovery – 25 to 100 years
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Exposure to air ◦ Corals dry out ◦ Overheat
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Reef erosion = shores/coastal properties are exposed to damages from waves Artificial reefs: human-made structures = concrete/stone blocks, sacks filled with sand or shipwrecks (sunken ships) ◦ Colonized by algae, corals and fish ◦ Used as submerged breakwater Dissipate wave energy Click
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Prevents erosion of land Anchorage/protection for harbors New habitats Increase fishing areas Tourism – snorkeling/diving
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USS Oriskany (2006)
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Geomorphology – study of landforms and processes involved in shaping them
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Shows growth and geological history of reef Carbon Dating – age of coral sample ◦ As corals grow, carbon (from carbon dioxide) is deposited in their skeleton as CaCO 3 ◦ 14C carbon slowly decays to 12C Proportion of 14C to 12C estimates age of coral Can estimate age up to 50,000 years old
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Deep drilling – cores of material to identify corals and estimate growth rate ◦ Have ‘bands’ just like tree rings (give age) Evidence of growth rate due to environmental conditions like temperature or nutrient availability
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Growth up to 20m deep Fossil corals found at 1200 m is evidence of subsidence (caving in and sinking of land area) ◦ New coral grow on top of old as reef gradually sinks Fossil corals found above sea level ◦ Evidence of changes in sea level Mexico – sea level changes between ice ages
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Access this link: ◦ http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/education/tutorial_co rals/ http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/education/tutorial_co rals/ ◦ Answer Questions passed out to you. ◦ Due Monday, April 8 th Read Marine Biology book pages 10-11 ◦ Answer question 1 AND write bolded words with definitions!
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Climate Close-up (paleoclimatology) Climate Close-up Coral Reefs Coral Reefs
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