Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Skeletal Extension, Density And Calcification Of The Reef Coral, Montastrea Annularis: St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, Richard E. Dodge, Garrett W. Brass

Marine & Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles

Parameters of the annual and subannual skeletal growth of 61 Montastrea annularis corals, collected at a variety of shallow depth sites on reefs of St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, are determined by X-radiography and scanning densitometry for each year in the 10-year period, 1970–1979. Extension (linear growth) of the coral skeleton is correlated negatively with bulk density (mass per unit volume) and positively with calcification (mass addition). Density and mass are slightly positively correlated. No one parameter, however, is a perfect predictor of another. At least two parameters, from which the third can be calculated, are required for complete description …