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Variation in coral growth rates with depth at Discovery Bay, Jamaica

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Abstract

Growth rates, determined by X-radiographic measurement of skeletal extension, decreased with depth for four of six species of coral examined at Discovery Bay, Jamaica. Growth of Porites astreoides, Montastrea annularis, Colpophyllia natans, and Siderastrea siderea decreased significantly with depth over a 1- to 30-m depth range. In Montastrea cavernosa, the highest growth rate occurred in the middle of the sampled depth range. Agaricia agaricites had no measurable change in growth rate with depth. A compilation of available growth data for Atlantic and Pacific corals shows a strong pattern of highest growth rates a short distance below the surface and a decrease with depth.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Environmental Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, 37831, Oak Ridge, TN, USA

    Michael Huston

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  1. Michael Huston
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Operated by Martin Marietta Energy Systems, Inc., under Contract No. DE-AC05-840R21400 with the U.S. Department of Energy. Publication No. 2467, Environmental Sciences Division, ORNL

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Huston, M. Variation in coral growth rates with depth at Discovery Bay, Jamaica. Coral Reefs 4, 19–25 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00302200

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