Reading...
Play button
Play button
Use LEFT and RIGHT arrow keys to navigate between flashcards;
Use UP and DOWN arrow keys to flip the card;
H to show hint;
A reads text to speech;
9 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
|
Biological Importance of Reefs
|
1.Oases in a liquid desert: the paradox of the reef
2 High organic productivity 3 Highest biodiversity in the sea 4 Sites of intense biological interaction 5 Biochemical, pharmaceutical resources (Neosporin first found in reef) 6. Sustenance of human populations |
|
|
Geological Importance
|
A.Major "carbonate factories" – build limestone
B. Remove CO2 from atmosphere C. Control ocean circulation, sedimentation D. Major petroleum reservoirs E. Record of ancient life: changing "players" on reef "stage" F. Record of past climates, sea levels |
|
|
What is a reef?
|
A coral reef is a rigid structure formed by calcareous skeletal growth of corals and algae in shallow, sunlit tropical seas, with topographic relief capable of breaking the surface and modifying water circulation and sedimentation.
|
|
|
Major Features of a Reef
|
Framework: Rigid intergrowth of calcareous skeletons
-Cement: glue holding frame together, organic and inorganic origin -infilling sediments: skeletal debris of reef dwelling animals and plants, major proportion of reef mass |
|
|
**Types of Reefs
|
Fringing Reefs
Barrier Reefs Atolls Patch Reefs Shelf or platform margin reefs |
|
|
**Major Reef Regions
|
A. Western and southern Pacific
B. Indian Ocean and Red Sea C. Eastern Pacific D. Western Atlantic |
|
|
Reef Constructional Components
|
Cnidarians or coelenterates
Sponges or poriferans |
|
|
Cnidarians or coelenterates
|
Hydrocorals (fire corals or milleporines
2. Stony corals (scleractinians or hexacorals) |
|
|
Sponges or poriferans
|
Coralline sponges
|
