Marine & Environmental Sciences Faculty Proceedings, Presentations, Speeches, Lectures

Event Name/Location

Proceedings of the Ninth International Coral Reef Symposium, Bali.

Presentation Date

2000

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Keywords

Coral Skeleton, Density Banding, Skeletal Architecture, X-ray Computed Tomography, ICRS9

Description

Density bands in corals have long been considered a valuable tool for reconstructing past environmental and climatic conditions. X-radiographs reveal density banding within a skeletal slab, but provide little information about the skeletal variability causing banding. The skeletal architecture of Diploria strigosa was analyzed by X-radiography, X-ray computed tomography, and image analysis to identify the specific skeletal elements responsible for density banding. Threedimensional skeletal reconstructions, density-band reconstructions, and skeletal animations were created to assess the apparent changes in skeletal structure associated with density banding. Measurements were made of the dissepiments, thecae, septa, and columellae to determine how element size related to density banding. Dissepiment spacing and thecal wall thickness exhibited no consistent variation relative to density. Density bands were associated with thickening of septal and columellar structures. X-ray computed tomography provided an effective tool for revealing density banding as well as measuring variations in skeletal elements.

Comments

Full conference proceedings may be found at http://www.reefbase.org

Additional Comments

In Moosa, M.K., S. Soemodihardjo, A. Soegiarto, K. Romimohtarto, A. Nontji, Soekarno and Suharsono (ed.). Proceedings of the Ninth International Coral Reef Symposium, Bali. 23-27 Oct. 2000. Vol. 1:365-372

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