The Effects of Oil and Oil Dispersants on the Skeletal Growth of the Hermatypic Coral Diploria strigosa

Authors

Richard E. Dodge, Nova Southeastern UniversityFollow
Sheila C. Wyers, Bermuda Biological Station - United Kingdom
H. R. Frith, Bermuda Biological Station - United Kingdom
Anthony H. Knap, Bermuda Biological Station - United Kingdom
S. R. Smith, Bermuda Biological Station - United Kingdom
T. D. Sleeter, Bermuda Biological Station - United Kingdom

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Coral Reefs

ISSN

0722-4028

Publication Date

12-1-1984

Keywords

Petroleum pollution, Coral reefs

Abstract

Specimens of the hermatypic coral species Diploria strigosa were exposed to various concentrations (1–50 ppm) of oil or oil plus dispersant for 6–24 h periods in four laboratory and two field experiments. After dosing, corals were transplanted to, or left in, the field and recollected approximately one year later for extension (linear) growth analysis by the alizarin stain method. The experiments were designed to assess the long-term effects of brief low-level concentrations of chemically dispersed oil and oil alone on corals in a situation, for example, where an oil slick (treated and non-treated with dispersants) passes over a reef. No significant differences between extension growth parameters (Septa increase, Columella increase) and a calical shape parameter (New Endotheca Length) of treated corals versus controls were found in any of the experiments. In two summer experiments calical relief (Fossa length) was found to be depressed in corals of some of the experimental treatments.

DOI

10.1007/BF00288254

Volume

3

Issue

4

First Page

191

Last Page

198

Comments

©Springer-Verlag 1984

NSUWorks Citation

Dodge, RichardE, SheilaC Wyers, H. R. Frith, AnthonyH Knap, S. R. Smith, and T. D. Sleeter. 1984. "The effects of oil and oil dispersants on the skeletal growth of the hermatypic coral Diploria strigosa." Coral Reefs no. 3 (4):191-198. doi: 10.1007/BF00288254.