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bioRxiv · 10.1101/2024.11.20.624512

Accelerated growth of the scleractinian coral Orbicella faveolata under turbid and polluted water conditions

Lizcano-Sandoval, L.·Marulanda-Gomez, A.·Lopez-Victoria, M.·Rodriguez-Ramirez, A.
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Abstract

Cartagena Bay, Colombia, experienced historical changes in water quality, mainly due to dredging and channelization of the Canal del Dique, which connects the bay with the Magdalena River. In 1981 the largest dredging events occurred in the Canal del Dique, which negatively affected the water quality in the bay. In this bay, the coral reef of Varadero depicts high coral diversity and large coral colonies, showing apparent signs of a healthy ecosystem, under highly turbid and polluted waters. Here, we evaluated the potential effects of historical water quality changes and environmental variables on the coral skeletal growth of Orbicella faveolata. We obtained coral growth information from 65 years in the period 1951-2015. Coral skeletal density was 0.73 g cm-3, linear extension 1.02 cm yr-1, and calcification 0.74 g cm-2 yr-1. After 1981, significant changes in coral growth and luminescence were found: skeletal density decreased (9.9%), linear extension increased (6.6%), and skeletal luminescence was less intense (1.6%). In overall, Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO) data explained changes in skeletal density (8-10%) and linear extension (7-19%). Air temperature explained changes in skeletal luminescence (22-45%). Water flow of the Canal del Dique did not contribute significantly to any coral growth and luminescence variables. The growth of O. faveolata in Varadero Reef was characterized by low density skeletons and an accelerated linear extension, apparently influenced by the dredging events of 1981. Further research is required to understand coral growth responses and resilience to the conditions of high turbidity, pollution, and low light in Cartagena Bay.

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Lizcano-Sandoval, L., Marulanda-Gomez, A., Lopez-Victoria, M., Rodriguez-Ramirez, A.. 2024-11-21. Accelerated growth of the scleractinian coral Orbicella faveolata under turbid and polluted water conditions. https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.11.20.624512

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