Coral reefs in the Xisha Islands （also known as the Paracel Islands in English）, South China Sea, have experienced dramatic declines in coral cover. However, the current regional scale hard coral distribution of geo...Coral reefs in the Xisha Islands （also known as the Paracel Islands in English）, South China Sea, have experienced dramatic declines in coral cover. However, the current regional scale hard coral distribution of geomorphic and ecological zones, essential for reefs management in the context of global warming and ocean acidification, is not well documented. We analyzed data from field surveys, Landsat-8 and GF-1 images to map the distribution of hard coral within geomorphic zones and reef fiat ecological zones. In situ surveys conducted in June 2014 on nine reefs provided a complete picture of reef status with regard to live coral diversity, evenness of coral cover and reef health （live versus dead cover） for the Xisha Islands. Mean coral cover was 12.5% in 2014 and damaged reefs seemed to show signs of recovery. Coral cover in sheltered habitats such as lagoon patch reefs and biotic dense zones of reef flats was higher, but there were large regional differences and low diversity. In contrast, the more exposed reef slopes had high coral diversity, along with high and more equal distributions of coral cover. Mean hard coral cover of other zones was 〈10%. The total Xisha reef system was estimated to cover 1 060 km2, and the emergent reefs covered -787 km2. Hard corals of emergent reefs were considered to cover 97 km2. The biotic dense zone of the reef flat was a very common zone on all simple atolls, especially the broader northern reef flats. The total cover of live and dead coral can reach above 70% in this zone, showing an equilibrium between live and dead coral as opposed to coral and algae. This information regarding the spatial distribution of hard coral can support and inform the management of Xisha reef ecosystems.展开更多
Knowledge of the biodiversity of Brazilian reef ecosystems has expanded in recent years with several new species. Brazil is considered an important province because it has the only true reefs in the South Atlantic. Th...Knowledge of the biodiversity of Brazilian reef ecosystems has expanded in recent years with several new species. Brazil is considered an important province because it has the only true reefs in the South Atlantic. This study identified the endemism of benthic invertebrate species of the Brazilian reefs. The reef coast is approximately 600 km long and extends from the state of Rio Grande do Norte to south coast of the Bahia state, with many coral and sandstone reefs near the shoreline and in the offshore zone, where the platform top remains exposed during low tides; and also on the Abrolhos region has isolated columns and offshore banks. Four offshore sites within the EEZ （Exclusive Economic Zone） were also included in this review. This study was based on the invertebrate benthic diversity existing on the northeastern coast, represented by Porifera with 450 spp, Cnidaria Scleractinia 16 spp and Echinodermata 51 spp. Of these, 102 species are endemic to Brazilian reefs, including Porifera with 86 spp （18,44%）, Cnidaria Scleractinia 8 spp （50%）, and Echinodermata 8 spp （2.93%）. The results reflect the recent increase in taxonomic studies, and identify a large number of endemic species among the benthic invertebrate fauna of the Brazilian reefs.展开更多
As part of a project that assessed a proposed artificial reef site, this study compared benthic foraminiferal assemblages from three substrata： sediment, natural lime rock and recruitment tiles. The assemblage from s...As part of a project that assessed a proposed artificial reef site, this study compared benthic foraminiferal assemblages from three substrata： sediment, natural lime rock and recruitment tiles. The assemblage from sediment samples included 21 foraminiferal species representing 12 genera and was dominated by stress-tolerant taxa, especially Ammonia and Elphidium. Natural lime rock and recruitment tiles yielded 21 foraminiferal species representing 11 genera, which were dominated by miliolids. Intersample variability was characterized by ＂pulsating patches＂ as has been previously described for Florida estuaries. The predominance of stress-tolerant taxa in sediments was consistent with other observations from the site, which indicated that proposed artificial reef structures were not likely to recruit significant coral-reef biota.展开更多
Many reefs of the Late Paleozoic have been discovered recently in the Hinggan-lnner Mongolia area. These reefs clearly are geographically extensive, and possess distinctive features and well-developed reef-facies. The...Many reefs of the Late Paleozoic have been discovered recently in the Hinggan-lnner Mongolia area. These reefs clearly are geographically extensive, and possess distinctive features and well-developed reef-facies. They have been found to contain five reef-building communities and were constructed in four periods. Colonial coral-algal reefs at Aohan and Chifeng represent a warm shallow-sea in the Carboniferous. Different reefs in the Xiwu Banner were formed in three periods： early Late Carboniferous, late Late Carboniferous and Early Permian. These reefs were built in warm sea conditions. Their buildup types include colonial coral frameworks, algae-buildings and lime-mud mounds. Bryozoan reefs in the Zhalaite and Dongwu banners were built in the late Middle Permian and thrived in a cold shallow-sea. All reefs grew independently on two kinds of sedimentary platforms, carbonate and carbonate-clastic mixed platforms. Four reef-forming periods occurred later from south to north, along a collisional course between the North China Plate and the Siberian Plate. These reefs can be arranged into three ＇reef-links＇ or reef zones that extend along plate margins. Among these, the Aohan-Chifeng reef-link indicates a northern margin of the North China Plate, the Zhalaite-Dongwu reef-link marks a southern margin of the Siberian Plate, and the Xiwu-Beishan reef-link reflects the former existence of some inter-plates. The strata of each reef-facies are thick and contain rich asphalt deposits. Overlapping and heteropic layers are very thick and contain dark oil/gas-rich horizons; TOC analyses verify that most of these are good hydrocarbon source rocks. This study shows that the study area is an excellent candidate for oil-gas exploration.展开更多
Modern atolls have been studied systematically and thoroughly in the South China Sea.However,the knowledge of a paleo-atoll and related sedimentary system is very limited.Here we used the newly acquired high resolutio...Modern atolls have been studied systematically and thoroughly in the South China Sea.However,the knowledge of a paleo-atoll and related sedimentary system is very limited.Here we used the newly acquired high resolution 2D seismic data,and discovered three late Miocene atoll systems in the offshore Xisha Islands for the first time.We named them atoll system A,B,C,respectively.These three atoll systems,all developed on the horsts dominated by normal fault,consist mainly of atoll reefs,patch reefs,fore-reef slope deposits,and lagoons.On the basis of the interpreted sequence stratigraphic framework and the identification of fore-reef slope deposits,we suggested only the atoll system A continued to grow until Quaternary,and both of atoll system B and C had been drowned in Pliocene.In late Miocene,the atoll systems in the study area were most developed,either in magnitude or in maturity,which indicated late Miocene was the most flourishing period of reef builders,and this was in accordance with the drilling result of ODP Leg 184 in the South China Sea.Pliocene was an important reef drowning period in the study area,and both atoll systems B and C were drowned and hemipelagic deposits prevailed gradually.Quaternary was another reef drowning period in the study area,two large atoll reefs grown on the atoll system A were finally drowned,and hemipelagic deposits begun to drape and fill the palaeo-atoll systems.The growth and drowning of atolls are controlled mainly by tectonic subsidence in long term,but global eustatic can impact it in short term also.展开更多
Microbes and microbial carbonates in reef-flat and coral community dynamics and submarine geomorphologic features in reef crest and fore reef of Yongxing Island,the Xisha Islands,South China Sea,were studied by means ...Microbes and microbial carbonates in reef-flat and coral community dynamics and submarine geomorphologic features in reef crest and fore reef of Yongxing Island,the Xisha Islands,South China Sea,were studied by means of scuba diving,underwater investigation,and line intercept transect survey.Studies indicate a very high coral mortality with few living corals in the reef flat of Yongxing Island.Moreover,macro algae,sea grass and cyanobacteria are common in reef flat.Microbes and microbially induced carbonates occur in reef flat.Living corals grow mainly in the reef crest and fore reef,but are also declined dramatically.From coast to off shore,the southeast reef flat of Yongxing Island can be divided into beach,inner reef flat,outer reef flat,reef flat front(reef crest and fore reef),and fore-reef slope settings.Sedimentary facies include coast,reef flat,reef crest and fore reef,and fore-reef slope.Reefal carbonate sediments are composed of coral skeletons and framework,coral fragments,bioclasts,and lime mud.With the deterioration of environment and water quality,the coral communities tend to be distributed in the reef crest and fore reef with clean sea water,well circulation and moderate water energy.Reef flat is occupied mainly by the macro algae and Heliopora coerulea communities.The coverage statistics on the reef crest demonstrate that the coverage of Acropora cytherea is more than 28% and represents a dominant species with wave-resistant ecological type.Sedimentary characteristics and geomorphologic features are different between the southeast and northwest reef-flat fronts(reef crest and fore reef) of Yongxing Island.The former shows discontinuously tidal channels in outer reef flat and different dimensional and deep reef ponds in reef crest and fore reef,and the latter presents a typical spur-and-groove system.Microbes(cyanobacteria Lyngbya sp.) occur generally in the inner reef flat and reef ponds of reef crest with restricted water circulation.Widely algae growth indicates a eutrophic environment,and the common microbes on the coral surface in the reef flat and reef ponds also demonstrate eutrophication in seawater and deteriorated water quality.展开更多
基金Supported by the National High Technology Research and Development Program of China(863 Program)(No.2012AA12A406)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.41271409)the National Science and Technology Major Project(No.00-Y30B15-9001-14/16-5)
文摘Coral reefs in the Xisha Islands （also known as the Paracel Islands in English）, South China Sea, have experienced dramatic declines in coral cover. However, the current regional scale hard coral distribution of geomorphic and ecological zones, essential for reefs management in the context of global warming and ocean acidification, is not well documented. We analyzed data from field surveys, Landsat-8 and GF-1 images to map the distribution of hard coral within geomorphic zones and reef fiat ecological zones. In situ surveys conducted in June 2014 on nine reefs provided a complete picture of reef status with regard to live coral diversity, evenness of coral cover and reef health （live versus dead cover） for the Xisha Islands. Mean coral cover was 12.5% in 2014 and damaged reefs seemed to show signs of recovery. Coral cover in sheltered habitats such as lagoon patch reefs and biotic dense zones of reef flats was higher, but there were large regional differences and low diversity. In contrast, the more exposed reef slopes had high coral diversity, along with high and more equal distributions of coral cover. Mean hard coral cover of other zones was 〈10%. The total Xisha reef system was estimated to cover 1 060 km2, and the emergent reefs covered -787 km2. Hard corals of emergent reefs were considered to cover 97 km2. The biotic dense zone of the reef flat was a very common zone on all simple atolls, especially the broader northern reef flats. The total cover of live and dead coral can reach above 70% in this zone, showing an equilibrium between live and dead coral as opposed to coral and algae. This information regarding the spatial distribution of hard coral can support and inform the management of Xisha reef ecosystems.
文摘Knowledge of the biodiversity of Brazilian reef ecosystems has expanded in recent years with several new species. Brazil is considered an important province because it has the only true reefs in the South Atlantic. This study identified the endemism of benthic invertebrate species of the Brazilian reefs. The reef coast is approximately 600 km long and extends from the state of Rio Grande do Norte to south coast of the Bahia state, with many coral and sandstone reefs near the shoreline and in the offshore zone, where the platform top remains exposed during low tides; and also on the Abrolhos region has isolated columns and offshore banks. Four offshore sites within the EEZ （Exclusive Economic Zone） were also included in this review. This study was based on the invertebrate benthic diversity existing on the northeastern coast, represented by Porifera with 450 spp, Cnidaria Scleractinia 16 spp and Echinodermata 51 spp. Of these, 102 species are endemic to Brazilian reefs, including Porifera with 86 spp （18,44%）, Cnidaria Scleractinia 8 spp （50%）, and Echinodermata 8 spp （2.93%）. The results reflect the recent increase in taxonomic studies, and identify a large number of endemic species among the benthic invertebrate fauna of the Brazilian reefs.
文摘As part of a project that assessed a proposed artificial reef site, this study compared benthic foraminiferal assemblages from three substrata： sediment, natural lime rock and recruitment tiles. The assemblage from sediment samples included 21 foraminiferal species representing 12 genera and was dominated by stress-tolerant taxa, especially Ammonia and Elphidium. Natural lime rock and recruitment tiles yielded 21 foraminiferal species representing 11 genera, which were dominated by miliolids. Intersample variability was characterized by ＂pulsating patches＂ as has been previously described for Florida estuaries. The predominance of stress-tolerant taxa in sediments was consistent with other observations from the site, which indicated that proposed artificial reef structures were not likely to recruit significant coral-reef biota.
基金supported by the Geological Survey of China (Grant No. 1212010782004)National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 41072021)
文摘Many reefs of the Late Paleozoic have been discovered recently in the Hinggan-lnner Mongolia area. These reefs clearly are geographically extensive, and possess distinctive features and well-developed reef-facies. They have been found to contain five reef-building communities and were constructed in four periods. Colonial coral-algal reefs at Aohan and Chifeng represent a warm shallow-sea in the Carboniferous. Different reefs in the Xiwu Banner were formed in three periods： early Late Carboniferous, late Late Carboniferous and Early Permian. These reefs were built in warm sea conditions. Their buildup types include colonial coral frameworks, algae-buildings and lime-mud mounds. Bryozoan reefs in the Zhalaite and Dongwu banners were built in the late Middle Permian and thrived in a cold shallow-sea. All reefs grew independently on two kinds of sedimentary platforms, carbonate and carbonate-clastic mixed platforms. Four reef-forming periods occurred later from south to north, along a collisional course between the North China Plate and the Siberian Plate. These reefs can be arranged into three ＇reef-links＇ or reef zones that extend along plate margins. Among these, the Aohan-Chifeng reef-link indicates a northern margin of the North China Plate, the Zhalaite-Dongwu reef-link marks a southern margin of the Siberian Plate, and the Xiwu-Beishan reef-link reflects the former existence of some inter-plates. The strata of each reef-facies are thick and contain rich asphalt deposits. Overlapping and heteropic layers are very thick and contain dark oil/gas-rich horizons; TOC analyses verify that most of these are good hydrocarbon source rocks. This study shows that the study area is an excellent candidate for oil-gas exploration.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.91028003,41406068)Open Foundation of Key Laboratory of Marine Mineral Resources,Ministry of Land and Resources(Grant No.KLMMR-2013-A-22)
文摘Modern atolls have been studied systematically and thoroughly in the South China Sea.However,the knowledge of a paleo-atoll and related sedimentary system is very limited.Here we used the newly acquired high resolution 2D seismic data,and discovered three late Miocene atoll systems in the offshore Xisha Islands for the first time.We named them atoll system A,B,C,respectively.These three atoll systems,all developed on the horsts dominated by normal fault,consist mainly of atoll reefs,patch reefs,fore-reef slope deposits,and lagoons.On the basis of the interpreted sequence stratigraphic framework and the identification of fore-reef slope deposits,we suggested only the atoll system A continued to grow until Quaternary,and both of atoll system B and C had been drowned in Pliocene.In late Miocene,the atoll systems in the study area were most developed,either in magnitude or in maturity,which indicated late Miocene was the most flourishing period of reef builders,and this was in accordance with the drilling result of ODP Leg 184 in the South China Sea.Pliocene was an important reef drowning period in the study area,and both atoll systems B and C were drowned and hemipelagic deposits prevailed gradually.Quaternary was another reef drowning period in the study area,two large atoll reefs grown on the atoll system A were finally drowned,and hemipelagic deposits begun to drape and fill the palaeo-atoll systems.The growth and drowning of atolls are controlled mainly by tectonic subsidence in long term,but global eustatic can impact it in short term also.
基金supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos.40976030,41006029),Projects of International Cooperation and Exchanges of National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No.41210104029)Knowledge Innovation Program of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Grant No.SQ201114)
文摘Microbes and microbial carbonates in reef-flat and coral community dynamics and submarine geomorphologic features in reef crest and fore reef of Yongxing Island,the Xisha Islands,South China Sea,were studied by means of scuba diving,underwater investigation,and line intercept transect survey.Studies indicate a very high coral mortality with few living corals in the reef flat of Yongxing Island.Moreover,macro algae,sea grass and cyanobacteria are common in reef flat.Microbes and microbially induced carbonates occur in reef flat.Living corals grow mainly in the reef crest and fore reef,but are also declined dramatically.From coast to off shore,the southeast reef flat of Yongxing Island can be divided into beach,inner reef flat,outer reef flat,reef flat front(reef crest and fore reef),and fore-reef slope settings.Sedimentary facies include coast,reef flat,reef crest and fore reef,and fore-reef slope.Reefal carbonate sediments are composed of coral skeletons and framework,coral fragments,bioclasts,and lime mud.With the deterioration of environment and water quality,the coral communities tend to be distributed in the reef crest and fore reef with clean sea water,well circulation and moderate water energy.Reef flat is occupied mainly by the macro algae and Heliopora coerulea communities.The coverage statistics on the reef crest demonstrate that the coverage of Acropora cytherea is more than 28% and represents a dominant species with wave-resistant ecological type.Sedimentary characteristics and geomorphologic features are different between the southeast and northwest reef-flat fronts(reef crest and fore reef) of Yongxing Island.The former shows discontinuously tidal channels in outer reef flat and different dimensional and deep reef ponds in reef crest and fore reef,and the latter presents a typical spur-and-groove system.Microbes(cyanobacteria Lyngbya sp.) occur generally in the inner reef flat and reef ponds of reef crest with restricted water circulation.Widely algae growth indicates a eutrophic environment,and the common microbes on the coral surface in the reef flat and reef ponds also demonstrate eutrophication in seawater and deteriorated water quality.
