Summary
Under standard experimental conditions, sample groups of Acropora acuminata gave calcification results having a coefficient of variation approaching 50%. Because of this, the resolution of radioisotope measurements approaches the magnitude of the effect of light on calcification rate. Differences in calcification rate between samples appear to be caused by short-term variations in calcification rate of samples, rather than size differences between samples. The coefficient of variation associated with results can be decreased by relatively straightforward modifications to the standard technique.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Barnes DJ (1982) Improved measurement of coral calcification by sequential incubations with tritiated tetracycline and 45-calcium. Proc 4th Int Symp Coral Reefs (in press)
Barnes DJ, Crossland CJ (1977) Coral calcification: sources of error in radioisotope techniques. Mar Biol 42:119–129
Barnes DJ, Crossland CJ (1980) Diurnal and seasonal variations in the growth of a staghorn coral measured by time-lapse photography. Limnol Oceanogr 26:1113–1117
Buddemeier RW, Kinzie RA III (1976) Coral growth. Oceanogr Mar Biol Annu Rev 14:183–225
Chalker BE, Taylor DL (1975) Light-enhanced calcification, and the role of oxidative phosphorylation in calcification of the coral, Acropora cervicornis. Proc R Soc [Lond] B 190:323–331
Chalker BE, Taylor DL (1978) Rhythmic variations in calcification and photosynthesis associated with the coral Acropora cervicornis (Lamark). Proc R Soc [Lond] B 201:179–189
Clausen CD (1971) Effects of temperature on the rate of 45calcium uptake by Pocillopora damicornis. In: Lenhoff HM, Muscatine L, Davies LV (eds) Experimental coelenterate biology. University of Hawaii Press, Honolulu, pp 246–259
Clausen CD, Roth AA (1975a) Estimation of coral growth-rates from laboratory 45Ca-incorporation rates. Mar Biol 33:85–91
Clausen CD, Roth AA (1975b) Effect of temperature and temperature adaption on calcification rate in the hermatypic coral Pocillopora damicornis. Mar Biol 33:93–100
Crossland CJ, Barnes DJ (1974) The role of metabolic nitrogen in coral calcification. Mar Biol 28:325–332
Crossland CJ, Barnes DJ (1977) Calcification in the staghorn coral Acropora acuminata: variations in apparent skeletal incorporation of radioisotopes due to different methods of processing. Mar Biol 43:57–62
Drew EA (1973) The biology and physiology of alga-invertebrate symbioses. III. In situ measurements of photosynthesis and calcification in some hermatypic corals. J Exp Mar Biol Ecol 13:165–179
Goreau TF (1959) The physiology of skeleton formation in corals. I. A method for measuring the rate of calcium deposition by corals under different conditions. Biol Bull Mar Biol Lab Woods Hole 116:59–75
Goreau TF (1961) On the relationship of calcification to primary productivity in reef building organisms. In: Lenhoff HM, Loomis WF (eds) The biology of Hydra. University of Miami Press, Miami, p 269–285
Goreau TF (1963) Calcium carbonate deposition by coralline algae and corals in relation to their roles as reef builders. Ann NY Acad Sci 109:127–167
Goreau TF, Goreau NI (1959) The physiology of skeleton formation in coral. II. Calcium deposition by hermatypic corals under various conditions in the reef. Biol Bull Mar Biol Lab Woods Hole 117:239–259
Goreau TF, Goreau NI (1960) The physiology of skeleton formation in corals. IV. On isotopic equilibrium exchanges of calcium between corrallum and environment in living and dead reef-building corals. Biol Bull Mar Biol Lab Woods Hole 119:416–427
Jeffrey SW (1968) Photosynthetic pigments of the phytoplankton of some coral reef waters. Limnol Oceanogr 13:350–335
Lowry OH, Rosebrough NJ, Farr AL, Randall RJ (1951) Protein measurement with the Folin phenol reagent. J Biol Chem 193:265–275
Lamberts AE (1974) Measurements of alizarin deposited by coral. Great Barrier Reef Commitee, Brisbane. Proc Int Symp Coral reefs 2:241–244
Pease VB, Muscatine L (1971) Role of symbiotic algae (zooxanthellae) in coral calcification. Biol Bull Mar Biol Lab Woods Hole 141:350–363
Snedecor GW, Cochrane WG (1967) Statistical methods. Iowa State University Press, Ames
Vandermeulen JH, Davies ND, Muscatine L (1972) The effect of inhibitors of photosynthesis on zooxanthellae in corals and other marine invertebrates. Mar Biol 16:185–191
Vandermeulen JH, Muscatine L (1974) Influence of symbiotic algae on calcification in reef corals: critique and progress report. In: Vernberg WB (ed) Symbiosis in the sea. University of South Carolina Press, Columbia, pp 1–19
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Barnes, D.J., Crossland, C.J. Variability in the calcification rate of Acropora acuminata measured with radioisotopes. Coral Reefs 1, 53–57 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00286540
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00286540