Study

Growth and survival of coral transplants with and without electrochemical deposition of CaCO3

  • Published source details Sabater M.G. & Yap H.T. (2002) Growth and survival of coral transplants with and without electrochemical deposition of CaCO3. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, 272, 131-146.

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

Action Category

Use electrical current to stimulate coral growth

Action Link
Coral Conservation
  1. Use electrical current to stimulate coral growth

    A replicated, randomized, controlled study in 1999–2000 at a coral reef at Quezon Island, northern Philippines (Sabater & Yap 2002) found that using electrical current to stimulate mineral accretion on stony coral Porites cylindrica nubbins (small fragments) resulted in a higher survival rate and greater girth growth than unstimulated nubbins but no difference in % linear growth. However, survival and linear growth of electrically stimulated nubbins were both lower than naturally growing coral. Six months after electrical stimulation started, survival of stimulated nubbins (86%) was higher than unstimulated (70%) but lower than adjacent natural colonies (95%). Average girth growth after six months was higher for stimulated (1.4–1.7 mm) than unstimulated (0.8–1.1 mm) nubbins. There was no difference in % linear growth between stimulated (38%) and unstimulated (36%) nubbins but both were lower than natural colonies (45%). Results for corallite development are presented in the original paper. In December 1999, two-hundred-and-sixty ‘thumb-sized’ nubbins were randomly collected from three patches of wild-growing stony coral colonies within the experiment site. An additional 40 branches on colonies on each patch were randomly tagged and left to grow naturally. Two 1 × 1 m galvanized steel mesh sheets were attached to the seabed at each of three locations 4 – 8 m deep. At each site, a PVC frame was constructed above each sheet with electricity supplied to the stimulated nubbins (see paper for methods). Survival, linear, and girth growth were measured every two months for six months.

    (Summarised by: Ann Thornton)

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