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Nova Southeastern University

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

Skeletal Architecture

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Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics

Skeletal Architecture And Density Banding In Diploria Strigosa By X-Ray Computed Tomography, Kevin P. Helmle, Richard E. Dodge, R. A. Ketcham Jan 2000

Skeletal Architecture And Density Banding In Diploria Strigosa By X-Ray Computed Tomography, Kevin P. Helmle, Richard E. Dodge, R. A. Ketcham

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

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 …


Skeletal Architecture And Density Banding Analysis Technique For Diploria Strigosa By X-Ray Computed Tomography, Kevin P. Helmle, Richard E. Dodge (Editor) Jan 1999

Skeletal Architecture And Density Banding Analysis Technique For Diploria Strigosa By X-Ray Computed Tomography, Kevin P. Helmle, Richard E. Dodge (Editor)

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

Coral skeletal density information is a useful growth parameter and may be coupled with extension rates to determine calcification rates. The conventional process for density determination is often cumbersome and requires some parameters which are difficult to precisely specify (e.g., Mass absorption coefficients). We have developed a technique and windows based computer program which enables the rapid collection of coral density data. The coral skeleton slab is xradiographed with an aluminum wedge. Thickness and density of the aluminum wedge, thickness of the coral slab, density of pure coral aragonite, and digitized images of the coral and wedge x-radiographs provide necessary …