Abstract
Measurements of CO2 system parameters and nutrients showed the potential influence of terrestrial inputs on the carbon budget of a fringing coral reef on Ishigaki Island, Japan. Land-derived freshwaters, including river and ground water, make a relatively large contribution (0.5–1.2% by volume) to the water circulation of the reef. These terrestrial waters exhibit extremely high fugacity of CO2 (fCO2 up to 6400 μatm), reflecting enrichments in total alkalinity and dissolved inorganic carbon. Since the dissolved inorganic C:P ratio is anomalously high in terrestrial waters compared with the mean C:P ratios of primary production, excess carbon could be released into the atmosphere. Terrestrial inputs deliver a large quantity of C relative to P. The study site was a source of CO2 at the time of measurement. Such a situation is likely to prevail all year round, and it may occur elsewhere.
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Accepted: 20 February 2000
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Kawahata, H., Yukino, I. & Suzuki, A. Terrestrial influences on the Shiraho fringing reef, Ishigaki Island, Japan: high carbon input relative to phosphate. Coral Reefs 19, 172–178 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1007/s003380000093
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s003380000093