Dissolved nutrients and organic particulates in water flowing over coral reefs at Lizard Island

Abstract

Concentrations of dissolved nutrients and organic particulates were measured in seawater flowing across the windward and leeward reef flats of the lagoonal reef complex at Lizard Island. Measurements were made during the day, at night, and at various stages of the tide over a period of several weeks. The reef complex, as a whole, did not consume or export statistically significant amounts of inorganic nitrogen, phosphorus, silicate, organic nitrogen or organic carbon. Depletion or elevation of nutrient levels in one benthic zone appeared to be balanced by production or consumption in downstream zones.