Hydrology, plankton, and corals of the Maracajaú reefs (Northeastern Brazil): an ecosystem under severe thermal stress

Abstract

This study provides baseline information on the hydrological conditions and on the coral and plankton communities at the Maracajaú reef ecosystem (Northeastern Brazil). Studies were performed from February to June 2000, covering the transition from dry to rainy season. In this area, there is an offshore coral reef formation, where corals were observed in loco; the water samples were collected to obtain the hydrological and plankton data. Six scleractinian species were identified. Stable isotope analysis on the carbonate fraction of Favia gravida fragments showed that these corals were under severe thermal stress. Chlorophyll-a varied from 1.1 to 9.3 mg m-3, with higher values during the rainy season. Average zooplankton wet weight biomass were 117.0 (microzooplankton) and 15.7 mg m -3(mesozooplankton). A total of 136 Phytoplankton and 61 zooplankton taxa were identified. Seasonal forcing determined the phyto-micro-and mesozooplankton community structure, rather than the coastal-offshore gradient.