Study

Coral communities on artificial reefs in the Gulf of Mexico: Standing vs. toppled oil platforms

  • Published source details Sammarco P.W., Lirette A., Tung Y.F., Boland G.S., Genazzio M. & Sinclair J. (2014) Coral communities on artificial reefs in the Gulf of Mexico: Standing vs. toppled oil platforms. ICES Journal of Marine Science, 71, 417-426.

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

Action Category

Repurpose obsolete offshore structures to act as structures for restoring coral reefs

Action Link
Coral Conservation
  1. Repurpose obsolete offshore structures to act as structures for restoring coral reefs

    A replicated, site comparison study (years not given) on seven decommissioned oil rig platforms in the Gulf of Mexico (Sammarco et al. 2014) found that toppled platforms did not have greater overall density of stony corals than standing platforms, but densities of three of four stony coral species varied between toppled and standing platforms. There was no significant difference between the average density of all corals on toppled oil platforms (90 corals/10 m2) and standing platforms (20 corals/10 m2). However, on average, Madracis decactis and Tubastraea coccinea densities were higher on toppled (Madracis decactis: 0.4 corals/10 m2; Tubastraea coccinea: 28 corals/10 m2) than standing platforms (Madracis decactis: 0.3 corals/10 m2; Tubastraea coccinea: 19 corals/10 m2). In contrast, Phyllangia americana density was lower on toppled (1 coral/10 m2) than standing platforms (4 corals/10 m2). There was no difference in Oculina diffusa density between toppled (2 corals/10 m2) and standing platforms (2 corals/10 m2). Surveys for stony corals were carried out on two standing oil platforms deployed 15–30 years prior (sea level to maximum depth of 101 m and 113 m) and five obsolete oil platforms cut at the base and toppled 13–20 years prior (minimum depth: 23–30 m; maximum: 48–195 m). Monitoring was carried out using photos and videos taken by remotely operated vehicles along two to four vertical and two horizontal struts/platform (20 m to a maximum of 110 m depth).

     

    (Summarised by: Eleanor Bladon)

Output references
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