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Coral mucus functions as an energy carrier and particle trap in the reef ecosystem

Author

Listed:
  • Christian Wild

    (Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology)

  • Markus Huettel

    (Florida State University)

  • Anke Klueter

    (Australian Institute of Marine Science)

  • Stephan G. Kremb

    (Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research)

  • Mohammed Y. M. Rasheed

    (Marine Science Station, University of Jordan and Yarmouk University)

  • Bo B. Jørgensen

    (Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology)

Abstract

Zooxanthellae, endosymbiotic algae of reef-building corals, substantially contribute to the high gross primary production of coral reefs1, but corals exude up to half of the carbon assimilated by their zooxanthellae as mucus2,3. Here we show that released coral mucus efficiently traps organic matter from the water column and rapidly carries energy and nutrients to the reef lagoon sediment, which acts as a biocatalytic mineralizing filter. In the Great Barrier Reef, the dominant genus of hard corals, Acropora, exudes up to 4.8 litres of mucus per square metre of reef area per day. Between 56% and 80% of this mucus dissolves in the reef water, which is filtered through the lagoon sands. Here, coral mucus is degraded at a turnover rate of at least 7% per hour. Detached undissolved mucus traps suspended particles, increasing its initial organic carbon and nitrogen content by three orders of magnitude within 2 h. Tidal currents concentrate these mucus aggregates into the lagoon, where they rapidly settle. Coral mucus provides light energy harvested by the zooxanthellae and trapped particles to the heterotrophic reef community, thereby establishing a recycling loop that supports benthic life, while reducing loss of energy and nutrients from the reef ecosystem.

Suggested Citation

  • Christian Wild & Markus Huettel & Anke Klueter & Stephan G. Kremb & Mohammed Y. M. Rasheed & Bo B. Jørgensen, 2004. "Coral mucus functions as an energy carrier and particle trap in the reef ecosystem," Nature, Nature, vol. 428(6978), pages 66-70, March.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:428:y:2004:i:6978:d:10.1038_nature02344
    DOI: 10.1038/nature02344
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    Cited by:

    1. Vanessa I. Stenvers & Helena Hauss & Till Bayer & Charlotte Havermans & Ute Hentschel & Lara Schmittmann & Andrew K. Sweetman & Henk-Jan T. Hoving, 2023. "Experimental mining plumes and ocean warming trigger stress in a deep pelagic jellyfish," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-14, December.
    2. Ruiz Sebastián, Carlos & McClanahan, Timothy R., 2013. "Description and validation of production processes in the coral reef ecosystem model CAFFEE (Coral–Algae–Fish-Fisheries Ecosystem Energetics) with a fisheries closure and climatic disturbance," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 263(C), pages 326-348.
    3. Konur, Ozcan, 2011. "The scientometric evaluation of the research on the algae and bio-energy," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 88(10), pages 3532-3540.
    4. Mohamed Farook Mohamed Fairoz & Beatriz E. Casareto & Yoshimi Suzuki, 2011. "Behavior of Dissolved Organic Matter in Coral Reef Waters in Relation with Biological Processes," Modern Applied Science, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 5(1), pages 1-3, February.

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