Abstract
Measurements of interstitial waters in deep wells (0–500 m) in Mururoa and in shallow bores (0–35 m) in Tikehau (French Polynesia) have shown high contents of dissolved nutrients and relatively low salinities, implying a deep oceanic origin. Studies of specific thermal fields within these atolls and carbonate platforms have led to models of deep oceanic water circulation by convection resulting from upward geothermal heat flow. Cold, low-salinity, low-pH, high-CO2, nutrient-rich deep oceanic water pervades the permeable atoll, where it loses density by heating related to geothermal heat flow, subsequently rising to seep out through the outer rim. New nutrients are thus continuously provided, enabling the reef-building community (algae+corals) to thrive in optimal conditions for photosynthesis and carbonate precipitation. This “geothermal endo-upwelling” concept is defined and its role in atoll trophic networks is emphasized as a necessary and sufficient process for reef net production and organic matter exportation. The endo-upwelled flow can then be viewed as a key factor for internal diagenesis, as early cementation of reef framework and dolomitization of deep limestone. Generalization of this interstitial, deep seawater circulation is discussed and linked to previously described thermal convection models in Florida or raised atolls.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Aharon P, Socki R, Chan L (1987) Dolomitization of atolls by sea water convection flow: test of a hypothesis at Niue, South Pacific. J Geol 95:187–203
Aissaoui D, Purser B (1986) La cimentation dans les récifs: principe de cimentation maximale. CR Acad Sci (Paris) [Sér II] 303/4:301–303
Aissaoui DM, Buigues D, Purser BH (1986) Model of reef diagenesis: Mururoa Atoll, French Polynesia. In: Schroeder JH, Purser BH (eds) Reef diagenesis. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York, pp 27–52
Aminot A, Chaussepied (1983) Manuel des analyses chimiques en milieu marin. CNEXO, Brest
Andrews JC, Furnas MJ (1986) Subsurface intrusions of Coral Sea water into the central Great Barrier Reef: I. Structures and shelf dynamics. Cont Shelf Res 6/4:491–514
Andrews JC, Gentien P (1982) Upwelling as a source of nutrients for the Great Barrier Reef ecosystems: a solution to Darwin's question? Mar Ecol Prog Ser 8:257–269
Atkinson HR, Davies PJ (1984) Report of a New Zealand, Australian and Papua New Guinea Scientific Mission to Mururoa Atoll. Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Wellington, 167 pp
Buddemeier RW, Oberdorfer JA (1986) Internal hydrology and geochemistry of coral reefs and atoll islands: key to diagenetic variations. In: Schroeder JH, Purser BH (eds) Reef diagenesis. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York, pp 91–111
Caristan Y (in press) Hydrogéologie de l'atoll de Mururoa
Chevalier JP, Denizot M, Mougin JL, Plessis Y, Salvat B (1969) Etude geomorphologique et bionomique de l'atoll de Mururoa. Cah Pac 12,13:9–144
Coudray J, Thomassin BA, Vasseur P (1985) Comparative geomorphology of New Caledonia and Mayotte Barrier Reefs. Proc 5th Coral Reef Symp 6:427–432
Fagerstrom JA (1987) The evolution of reef communities. Wiley Interscience, New York
Fairbridge RW (1957) The dolomite question. Soc Econ Paleontol Spec Publ 5:125–178
Fanning KA, Byrne RH, Breland JA, Betzer PR, Moore WS, Elsinger RJ (1981) Geothermal springs of the west Florida Continental Shelf: evidence for dolomitization and radionuclide enrichment. Earth Planet Sci Lett 52:345–354
Gittings SR, Bright TJ, Powell EN (1984) Hard bottom microfauna of the East Flower Garden brine seep: impact of a long term sulfurous brine discharge. Contrib Mar Sci 27:105–125
Gladfelter EH (1985) Metabolism, calcification and carbon production: I. Proc 5th Int Coral Reef Symp 4:527–539
Guilcher A (1988) Coral reef geomorphology. Wiley Interscience, New York
Hammer WM, Hauri JR (1981) Effects of island mass: water flow and plankton pattern around a reef in the Great Barrier Reef Lagoon, Australia. Limnol Oceanogr 26:1084–1102
Isaacs JD (1977) The nature of oceanic life. In: Ocean science. Scientific American Freeman, San Francisco, pp 189–202
Koblenz-Mishke OJ (1965) Primary production in the Pacific. Oceanology 5:104–116
Kohout FA (1965) A hypothesis concerning cyclic flow of salt water related to geothermal heating in the Floridan aquifer. Trans NY Acad Sci 28:249–271
Kohout FA, Kolipinski MC (1966) Biological zonation related to groundwater discharge along the shore of Biscayne Bay, Miami, Florida. In: Lauff GH (ed) Estuaries: ecology and populations. pp 488–499
Kohout FA, Henry HR, Banks JE (1977) Hydrogeology related to geothermal conditions of the Floridan Plateau: In: Smith DL, Griffin GM (eds) The geothermal nature of the Floridan plateau. Bur Geol Spec Publ 21:1–34
Lam RK (1974) Atoll permeability: calculated from tidal diffusion. J Geophys Res 79/21:3073–3081
Machel HG, Mountjoy EW (1986) Chemistry and environments of dolomitization. A reappraisal. Earth Sci Rev 23:175–222
Oberdorfer JA, Buddemeier RW (1986) Coral reef hydrology: field studies of water movement within a barrier reef. Coral Reefs 5:7–12
Purser BH, Schroeder JH (1986) The diagenesis of reefs: a brief review of our present understanding. In: Schroeder JH, Purser BH (eds) Reef diagenesis. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York, pp 424–446
Pytkowicz RM, Atlas E, Culberson CH (1975) Chemical equilibrium in seawater. In: Marine chemistry in the coastal environment. (ACS symposium series, no 18) ACS, Washington, pp 9–24
Ramade F (1986) Les catastrophes écologiques. McGraw-Hill, New York
Risk, MJ, Muller HR (1983) Porewater in coral heads: evidence for nutrient regeneration. Limnol Oceanogr 28:1004–1008
Rotschi H, Jarrige F (1968) Sur le renforcement d'un upwelling equatorial. Cah ORSTOM [Ser Oceanogr] 314:87–90
Rougerie F (1983) Nouvelles données sur le fonctionnement interne des lagons d'atoll. CR Acad Sci (Paris) [II] 297:909–912
Rougerie F, Ricard M, Mazaury E (1984) Le lagon de l'atoll de Mururoa. Rapport CEA, R, no, 5236 Service Doc SACLAY no 77
Rougerie F, Wauthy B (1986) Le concept d'endo-upwelling dans le fonctionnement des atolls oasis. Oceanolog Acta 9:133–148
Rougerie F, Wauthy B (1988) The endo-upwelling concept: a new paradigm for solving an old paradox. Proc. 6th Int Coral Reef Symp 3:21–26
Saller AH (1984) Petrologic and geochemical constraints on the origin of subsurface dolomite. Enewetak Atoll: an example of dolomitization by normal sea water. Geology 12:217–220
Samaden G, Dallot P, Roche R (1985) Atoll d'Eniwetak. Système geothermique insulaire à l'état naturel. Houille Blanche 2:143–151
Sansone FJ, Andrews CC, Buddemeier RW, Tribble GW (1988) Well-point sampling of reef interstitial water. Coral Reefs 7:19–22
Simms M (1984) Dolomitization by groundwater flow systems in a carbonate platform. Trans Gulf Coast Assoc Geol Soc 34:411–420
Smith SV, Kinsey DW (1976) Calcium carbonate production, coral reef growth and sea level change. Science 194:937–939
Smith SV, Kinsey DW (1988) Why don't budgets of energy, nutrients and carbonates always balance at the level of organisms, reefs, and tropical oceans? An overview. Proc 6th Int Coral Reef Symp Townsville:7
Swartz JH (1958) Geothermal measurements on Eniwetak and Bikini atolls. US Geol Surv Prof Paper 260/[U]:711–739
Szmant-Froehlich A (1983) Functional aspects of nutrient cycling in coral reefs. Symp Ser Undersea research, NOAA Progr 1:133–139
Wauthy B (1986) Physical ocean environment in the South Pacific commission area. Reg Seas Rep Stud Noumea 83:90
Webb KL, Dupaul WD, Wiebe W, Sottile W, Johannes RE (1975) Eniwetak Atoll: aspects of the nitrogen cycle on a coral reef. Limnol Oceanogr 20:198–210
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Rougerie, F., Wauthy, B. The endo-upwelling concept: from geothermal convection to reef construction. Coral Reefs 12, 19–30 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00303781
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00303781