A new methodology for evaluating carbon flux between a coral reef, the ocean and the atmosphere

Abstract

A new methodology is proposed for the evaluation of metabolic parameters in coral reef ecosystems using a simple model which combines the metabolic activity with a simplified water flow system. The concentration time profile resulting from running the model for DO are compared with continuously observed data taken at a site in Miyako Island and the metabolic rates are obtained by fitting the model to the data using a four parameter optimization routine. The model yields an excellent fit to the observed data (r > 0.9) using a set of easily obtained flow and tidal information. It is concluded thus that the factors governing concentration changes of biologically mediated substrates are sufficiently simulated in the model and mass fluxes can be predicted with accuracy between the coral reef ecosystem and its interfaces with the ocean and the atmosphere.