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Marine Ecology Progress Series

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MEPS is a leading hybrid research journal on all aspects of marine, coastal and estuarine ecology. Priority is given to outstanding research that advances our ecological understanding.

Online: ISSN 1616-1599

Print: ISSN 0171-8630

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/meps

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Volume contents
Mar Ecol Prog Ser 166:119-130 (1998)

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/meps166119

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Bioerosion of experimental substrates on high islands and on atoll lagoons (French Polynesia) after two years of exposure

ABSTRACT: Rates of bioerosion by grazing and boring were studied in lagoons of 2 high islands (3 sites) and 2 atolls (2 sites each) in French Polynesia using experimental carbonate substrates (blocks of Porites lutea skeleton). The substrate loss versusaccretion was measured after 6 and 24 mo of exposure. The results show significant differences between pristine environments on atolls and environments on high islands subjected to different levels of eutrophication and pollution due to human activities.Whereas experimental substrates on the atolls maintain a balance between accretion and erosion or exhibit net gains from accretion (positive budget), only 1 site on a high island exhibits significant loss of substrate by net erosion (negative budget). Theerosional patterns set within the first 6 mo of exposure were largely maintained throughout the entire duration of the experiment. The intensity of bioerosion by grazing increases dramatically when reefs are exposed to pollution from harbour waters; thisis shown at one of the Tahiti sites, where the highest average bioerosional loss, up to 25 kg m-2 yr-1 (6.9 kg m-2 yr-1 on a single isolated block), of carbonate substrate was recorded.

KEYWORDS

Bioerosion Experimental substrates Coral reefs French Polynesia

N. Pari (Co-author)

  • Centre d'Océanologie de Marseille, UMR CNRS 6540, Université de la Méditerranée, Station Marine d'Endoume, rue de la Batterie des Lions, F-13007 Marseille, France
  • Centre de Sédimentologie et Paléontologie, UPRESA CNRS 6019,Université de Provence, Aix-Marseille I, case 67, F-13331 Marseille cedex 03, France

M. Peyrot-Clausade (Co-author)

  • Centre d'Océanologie de Marseille, UMR CNRS 6540, Université de la Méditerranée, Station Marine d'Endoume, rue de la Batterie des Lions, F-13007 Marseille, France

T. Le Campion-Alsumard (Co-author)

  • Centre d'Océanologie de Marseille, UMR CNRS 6540, Université de la Méditerranée, Station Marine d'Endoume, rue de la Batterie des Lions, F-13007 Marseille, France

P. Hutchings (Co-author)

  • The Australian Museum, 6-8 College Street, 2000 Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

V. Chazottes (Co-author)

  • Centre de Sédimentologie et Paléontologie, UPRESA CNRS 6019,Université de Provence, Aix-Marseille I, case 67, F-13331 Marseille cedex 03, France

S. Golubic (Co-author)

  • Department of Biology, Boston University, Boston,Massachusetts 02215, USA

J. Le Campion (Co-author)

  • Centre d'Océanologie de Marseille, UMR CNRS 6540, Université de la Méditerranée, Station Marine d'Endoume, rue de la Batterie des Lions, F-13007 Marseille, France

M. F. Fontaine (Co-author)

  • Centre d'Océanologie de Marseille, UMR CNRS 6540, Université de la Méditerranée, Station Marine d'Endoume, rue de la Batterie des Lions, F-13007 Marseille, France

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