Rasheed, Mohammed, Wild, Christian, Jantzen, Carin and Badran, Mohammed (2006) Mineralization of particulate organic matter derived from coral-reef organisms in reef sediments of the Gulf of Aqaba. Chemistry and Ecology, 22 (1). pp. 13-20. DOI https://doi.org/10.1080/02757540500456823.

Text Jantzen.pdf - Published Version Restricted to Registered users only Download (205kB)

Abstract

In situ and laboratory incubation experiments in a fringing reef in the Gulf of Aqaba were performed to study degradation rates of particulate organic matter in reef sediments. Coral mucus, clam eggs, and zooxanthellae were used as model particulate organic compounds for these experiments. Aerobic and anaerobic mineralization rates were calculated by dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) and O2 fluxes from the sediments under different particulate organic matter additions. Fast enhancement (approximately twofold) of O2 and DIC fluxes were found with the addition of coral mucus and clam eggs compared with control incubations without addition. Most of the degradation is believed to have occurred anaerobically rather than aerobically (DIC:O2 ratios were 4.3–28.1). Higher degradation rates of coral mucus and clam eggs were estimated in carbonate sediment than in silicate sediment (1.2–1.6-fold), which was attributed to the different physical and chemical properties of both sediments. Our study shows the significance of the reef sediment as a suitable site for microbial degradation of particulate organic material excreted from different reef community organisms. This may increase the regeneration of nutrients in the reef environment necessary to sustain high biological productivity.

Document Type:	Article
Programme Area:	PA Not Applicable
Research affiliation:
Refereed:	Yes
Open Access Journal?:	No
DOI:	https://doi.org/10.1080/02757540500456823
ISSN:	0275-7540
Date Deposited:	28 Oct 2025 11:53
Last Modified:	28 Oct 2025 11:53
URI:	https://cris.leibniz-zmt.de/id/eprint/5905

Actions (login required)

View Item