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Status of reef affected by different impacts in some sites of the

Item Type Journal Contribution

Authors Ammar, M.S.A.; Ghobashi, A.A.; Omran, M.A.; Shaaban, A.M.

Citation Egyptian journal of aquatic research, 33(1). p. 224-237

Publisher National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, Egypt

Download date 28/09/2021 19:24:58

Link to Item http://hdl.handle.net/1834/1909 EGYPTIAN JOURNAL OF AQUATIC RESEARCH ISSN: 1687-4285 VOL. 33 NO. 1, 2007: 224-237

STATUS OF AFFECTED BY DIFFERENT IMPACTS IN SOME SITES OF THE RED SEA

M. S. A. AMMAR*, A. A. GHOBASHI**, M. A. OMRAN**, A. M. SHAABAN*

* national institute of oceanography and fisheries ** zoology department, faculty of science, suez canal university [email protected]

Keywords: Coral reefs, Red Sea, Human activities, Hydrocarbons, Phosphate, Recreation, Acanthaster planci

ABSTRACT

Using Using SCUBA diving, surveying the coral reef communities at four sites, Red Sea Egypt was done. These sites are: Ras El Behar (polluted by petroleum oil), El- Hamraween (impacted by phosphate shipping), Shabrour Umm Gam’ar (harmed by recreational activities and has been suffering from the outbreak of Acanthaster planci during 1998) and Kalawy (a control site). The skeletal growth of the coral Stylophora pistillata was promoted greatly at the expense of other , in presence of chronic oil pollution (Ras El-Behar). In contrast, this was completely suppressed in presence of phosphate and sulphur enrichment. Petroleum oil led to coral scarcity, space monopolization by one coral and increased sea urchins and algae. Coral reefs enriched with phosphate in the field, surprisingly was accompanied by extraordinary well flourishing corals. El-Hamraween was the only site having as higher number and abundance of as the control site. The abundance of Porites and Pocillopora was higher than the control site. Shabrour Umm Gam’ar, the site suffering from Acanthaster planci outbreak during 1998, was characterized by soft corals which were more abundant than stony corals, indicating that soft corals have higher rate of growth and recovery than stony corals after Acanthaster planci attack. Hydrocorals were abundant in the control site (kalawy).

1. INTRODUCTION Gulf of Suez is rapidly developing as one of the world's largest offshore oil production The Red Sea is a unique and outstanding areas (Dicks, 1984). The frequency of oil environment with high biodiversity compared spills in tropical seas may threaten coral reef to other aquatic environments in Egypt. It is survival and some of the past research has also rich of coral reefs which are considered indicated that oil alone as well as oil among the best underwater parks in the world dispersed with chemical dispersants is toxic beside their scientific, touristic, economic and to corals (Knap, 1987). Negri and Heywards medical value which make them worth (2000) showed that petroleum products cause studying and monitoring the effect of the inhibition of Fertilization and larval different impacts. These coral reef metamorphosis of the coral Acropora environments have faced a lot of impacts millepora. Hawkins et al. (1991), on their throughout the last few decades, like study of the effect of phosphate ship petroleum oil pollution, mining especially grounding on a Red Sea coral reef, found phosphate and recreational activities (diving coral smothering. Corals in the areas polluted and snorkeling). Informations about the effect by phosphate may be under stress because of of these impacts on the Red Sea coral reefs reduced light intensity, inhibition of are still few. The Red Sea, especially at the calcification by excess phosphate, and M. S. A. AMMAR et al

increased sediment load (Walker and lies about 20 km north to Quseir City and is Ormond, 1982). Abu-Helal (1994) discussed considered as one of the old phosphate the effects of the exported raw phosphate harbours on the Egyptian Red Sea coast. The powder as the main source of pollution on the site is a coastal area in the form of coral reef concentration of uranium in four hard and patches which up to 4m depth. two soft corals from the Gulf of Aqaba, Red SCUBA diving and 1m2 quadrat, with a Sea. The attraction of tropical seas, quadrat grid, were used for surveying the convenient transportation and the popularity benthic coral reef communities. Twenty-five of SCUBA diving usually bring increasing quadrats, 1m intervals, per depth zone were numbers of tourists in close proximity to positioned parallel to the shore at each of the coral reef ecosystems (Rogers, 1988). depths 1m, 3m, 5m, 8m, 12m, 15m and 20m Tourism has been implicated in the in each of Shabrour Umm Gam’ar and degradation of many reef areas (Rashid, Kalawy. However, only 25 quadrats were 1980). used at each of the two depths 3m and 4m in The aim of the present study is to quantify the two sites Ras El Behar and El coral reef status in terms of abundance at four Hamraween because of the shallowness of Red Sea sites, the first one is polluted by the two sites. Series of underwater photos petroleum oil (Ras El-Behar), the second is were taken at each site, close up photos were polluted by phosphate and sulphur also taken in order to help identification of enrichment during their shipping (El- species. Sea life Reef Master Digital Camera, Hamraween), the third is impacted by with external flash attachment, was used for recreational activities (Shabrour Umm photography, close up photography was Gam'ar) and the fourth is a control site carried out using 16x and 32x magnifying representing the unpolluted area (Kalawy lenses. area). Corals and other groups were quantified in terms of abundance relative to the total 2. MATERIAL AND METHODS number of individuals. Relative abundance of a given taxon was calculated as carried out by The study areas include 4 sites extending Bouchon (1980) as follow: along the western coast of the Gulf of Suez Where the dominance of a given taxon = and the Red Sea proper (Fig .1). Site 1 (Ras (number of individuals of that taxon / total El-Behar), at the southern end of the Gulf and umber of individuals) × 100 polluted by petroleum oil coming from the nearby oil fields and oil tankers. Site 2 3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS (Shabrour Umm Gam’ar reef) is an offshore site, about 12 km south Hurghada City. The Four ranges of abundance were seaward side of the reef, having high waves categorized in the studied sites. The first and currents, is at the north-eastern direction range was less than 1 (1-21 individuals per while the leeward side, which is considerably whole site) and categorized as scarce, the sheltered, lies at the southwestern side. This second range was 1-4 (22-64 individuals per site is impacted by recreational activities and the whole site) and categorized as frequent, has been suffering from the outbreak of the the third range was from more than 4-8 (65- crown-off-thorns starfish Acanthaster planci 170 individuals per whole site) and during 1998. Site 3 (Kalaway area) lies about categorized as common and the fourth range 30km south safaga City and is considered as was more than 8 (171-837 individuals per a control site. Site 4 (El-Hamraween harbour) whole site) and categorized as abundant.

225 STATUS OF CORAL REEF AFFECTED BY DIFFERENT IMPACTS IN SOME SITES OF THE RED SEA

Ras Gharib

Site 1 Gemsha

Hurgada Site 2

Safaga Site 3 Site 4 Quseir

Fig. (1): Location map of the study sites. * Study sites

226 M. S. A. AMMAR et al

The relative abundance of different Clavularia sp. was frequent. The recorded species of corals and other taxa of the studied black and hydrocorals were all scarce. sites are shown in Tables (1, 2 and 3), and Shabrour Umm Gam’ar, the site suffering graphically represented in Figs. (2-5). from Acanthaster planci outbreak during Site 1 (Ras El-Behar) had 13 recorded 1998, is characterized by soft corals which stony corals but no recorded soft or are mostly abundant, common or frequent in hydrocorals. The stony coral Stylophora contrast to stony corals which are mostly pistillata was the only abundant species, with scarce. This seems that, soft corals have non expectedly big and thick branches, while higher rate of growth, competition for space most other corals were scarce. Surprisingly, and recovery than stony corals after Rinkevich and Loya (1979), in their long Acanthaster planci attacks. Benayahu and term laboratory experiment on Stylophora Loya (1981) found that soft corals are the pistillata, found that chronic oil pollution major competitors overgrowing hard corals. damages the reproduction ability of this coral. Benayahu (1985) stated that, soft corals Most probably that: although the sexual compete for space with true stony corals and reproduction, and in turn larval development, cause their death. The tabular stony coral of the scleractinian coral Stylophora pistillata Acropora hyacinthus is an exception as it is are damaged by chronic oil pollution, the recorded as abundant species. This can be growth of adult and in turn skeletal explained by the interpretation of Ammar growth, i.e asexual reproduction may increase (2003) that the resistance of the touched greatly at the expense of other corals. The sea species of stony corals could be species urchin Diadema setosum was common in Ras specific for a certain species of soft corals. El-Behar and frequent in the other sites, this The scarcity of the Cerrhipathes was associated with the higher abundance of spiralis in Shabrour Umm Gam’ar and its macrolgae and algal turf (the food of sea absence in the other sites support the claim of urchins) in this site. This is in agreement with Warwick and Clarke (1993) who found an Falkowski et al. (1998) who reported that the increased variability as a symptom of stress competitive balance between corals and in different marine environments. Porter et al. macroalgae is shaped primarily by the (1999) also mentioned that the impacts of magnitude of herbivory by sea urchins and disturbances on coral distribution depend on nutrient availability. Herbivory is often the the type, scale and frequency of disturbance. important regulator of competition between The increased at Shabrour algae and corals (Hughes et al., 1999). Umm Gam’ar was among the possible For site 2 (Shabrour Umm Gam'ar), 19 reasons that have led initially to Acanthaster stony corals, 6 soft corals, 2 hydrocorals, 1 planci infestation in that site (Ammar, 1998). black coral (Cerrhipathes spiralis) and 1 The highest amount of rocks in Shabrour stoloniferian coral (Clavularia sp)were Umm Gam’ar is associated with the predation recorded. Among the recorded stony corals, of corals, by Acanthaster planci, which leave only one species (Acropora hyacinthus) was them just bare rocks. common, 3 species (Pocillopora damicornis, In site 3 (Kalawy), 24 stony corals, 3 Tubastraea sp., and Favia speciosa) were hydrocorals, 2 stoloniferian corals, 1 soft frequent and the rest of species were scarce. coral and 1 ( coerolea) Among the recorded soft corals, Sarcophyton were recorded. Among the recorded stony sp. was abundant, 2 species (Sinularia sp. and corals, 2 species (Acropora hemperichi and Xenia sp.) were common and 3 species Goniopora columna) were abundant, 5 (Lemnalia sp., Lobophytum sp. and species were common, 11 were frequent and Scleronephthya sp.) were frequent. Also, the the rest were scarce. The three recorded

227 STATUS OF CORAL REEF AFFECTED BY DIFFERENT IMPACTS IN SOME SITES OF THE RED SEA

hydrocorals (Millepora platyphylla, M. of Ammar and Emara (2004) who reported dichotoma and Distichopora sp.) were that, Millepora dichotoma prefers clear water abundant, common and frequent, and cannot tolerate excessive sediments. respectively. The abundance of hydrocorals Ammar (2004) also reported that, Millepora in the control site (Kalawy), especially on the sp. prefers high illumination and has a strong reef flat and reef crest agrees with the result skeletal density to tolerate strong waves.

Table (1): Abundance of different species of corals in the studied sites ++++= abundant, .absent = ــ common, ++=frequent, +=scarce and=+++

Site 2 Site 1 (Shabrour Site 3 Site 4 (Ras El Umm (Kalawy) (Hamrween) Behar) Gam’ar) Hydrocorals Millepora dichotoma Linnaeus, 1758 - + +++ + Millepora platyphylla Linnaeus, 1758 - - ++++ + Distichopora sp. Lamarck, 1816 - + ++ - Octacorallia Clavularia sp. De Blainville, 1830 - ++ ++ - musica (organ-pipe coral) - - + - Linnaeus, 1758 Sinularia sp. May, 1898 - +++ - + Xenia sp. - +++ + + Lemnalia sp. - ++ - -

Lobophytum sp. Marenzeller, 1886 - ++ - - Sarcophyton sp. Lesson, 1834 - ++++ - - Scleronephthya sp. - ++ - - Heliopora coerolea (Blue Coral) De - - + - Blainville, 1830 Stylophora pistillata Esper, 1797 ++++ + ++ - Seriatopora hystrix Dana, 1846 - + ++ - Acropora hyacinthus Dana, 1846 ++ +++ - - Acropora millepora Ehrenberg, 1834 ++ - - - Acropora squarrosa Ehrenberg, 1834 ++ - - ++ Acropora cytheraea Dana, 1846 - - + +++ Acropora hemperichi Ehrenberg, 1834 - - ++++ ++ Acropora digitifera Dana, 1846 - - - ++ Acropora eurystoma Klunzinger, 1879 - + + ++ Acropora humilis Dana, 1846 - + +++ ++++ Acropora nasuta Dana, 1846 - - - ++

228 M. S. A. AMMAR et al

Table (1). Continued

Acropora cerealis Dana, 1846 - - - + Acropora chesterfieldensis Veron & Wallace, 1984 - - + - Acropora pharaonis Edwards & Haime, 1860 - - +++ - Acropora verweyi Veron & Wallace, 1984 - - ++ - Pocillopora verrucosa Ellis & Solander,1786 - + ++ - Pocillopora damicornis Linnaeus,1758 - ++ ++ ++++ Tubastrea sp. Lesson , 1829 - ++ - - maldivensis Gardinar,1905 + - - - Pavona varians Verrill,1864 - - +++ - Coscinaraea monile Forskal,1775 + - - - Favia speciosa Dana,1846 + ++ - - Favia pallida Dana,1846 - - - + Favia laxa Klunzinger, 1879 - + - - Favia amicorum Edwards & Haime, 1850 - - - + Favites flexusa Dana,1846 - + ++ - Favites persi Faure & Pichon,1978 - + - - Favites acutocollis Ortmann, 1889 - - + - Hydnophora micronos Lamark,1816 - + - - Siderastraea savignyana Edwards & Haime, 1850 - - - + Goniopora klunzingeri Marenzeller, 1906 + - - - Goniopora somaliensis Vaughan,1907 - - - ++ Goniopora columna Dana,1846 - - ++++ + Goniastraea palauensis Yabe, Sugiyama and Eguchi, 1936 - + - + Goniastraea retiformis Lamark,1816 - + - - Porites (Synaraea) undulate Klunzinger, 1879 - - ++ ++++ Porites (S.) iwayamaensis Eguchi, 1938 - - ++ - Porites (Synaraea) rus Forskal,1775 - - - +++ Porites solida Forskal,1775 - - + ++++ Porites lutea Edwards & Haime,1851 - - - ++++ Porites compressa Dana,1846 - - - +++ Porites columnaris Klunzinger, 1879 - + - - Porites echinulata Dana,1846 - + - - Alveopora sp. Dana,1846 - - ++ ++ Fungia repanda Dana,1846 + - + - Gardineroseris planulata Dana,1846 ++ + - - Platygyra lamellina Ehrenberg,1834 + - - - Echinophyllia aspera Ellis & Solander,1786 - - ++ - Leptoseris mycetoseroides Vells,1954 - - +++ - Psammocora haimaena Edwards & Haime,1851 - - +++ - Montastraea curta Dana,1846 + - - - Montastraea annuligera Edwards & Haime,1849 - - - + Montipora circumvallata Ehrenberg,1834 + - - - Montipora ehrenbergi Verrill, 1872 - + - - Montipora stilosa Ehrenberg,1834 - - ++ - Cerrhipathes spiralis (Black coral) - + - -

229 STATUS OF CORAL REEF AFFECTED BY DIFFERENT IMPACTS IN SOME SITES OF THE RED SEA

Table (2): Abundance of sea anemones, ascidians, sponges, sea urchins, algae, molluscs, rocks and dead corals in the studies sites

Sea anemones Entacmaea quadricolour + - - - Palythoa sp. - - ++ - Parazoanthus sp. - - ++ - Ascidians Polycitorella sp. - ++ - - Sponges Haliclona sp. + - - - Gelliodes sp. - + - - Phyllospongia lamellosa - + - - Aaptos suberitoides - - ++ - Sea urchins Diadema setosum +++ ++ - ++ Algae Ulva sp. ++ - - - Algal turf ++ - - + Coralline algae +++ +++ + + Molluscs Tridacna sp. + - ++ +++ Rocks + ++++ + ++ Dead corals ++ + + +

Table (3): Measurements of phosphate, hydrocarbons in water, sedimentation rate and diver carrying capacity in the studied sites.

Number of Hydrocarbo Sedimentation divers/year Phosphate ns in Water Rate (diver carrying (µg/L) (µg/L) (mg/cm2/day) capacity=10000d iver/year) Site 1 24.96 31.3 1.76 0 (Ras El Behar) Site 2 (Shabrour 9.92 8.9 0.41 20000 Umm Gam’ar) Site 3 7.36 5.8 19.60 500 (Kalawy) Site 4 501.76 6.8 158.20 1000 (Hamraween)

230 M. S. A. AMMAR et al

80 70 60 50 40 30

Abundance 20 10 0 a s a a is le a ri a ta a ta ta lat hu or os s ni os ge nd la lin ur la til nt ep rr en o ci in a u el c al is ci ill ua iv m pe nz ep lan m a v p ya m sq ald ea s lu r p la ae um ra h ra a m ra ia k gia is ra str irc ho ra o or a a av ra n er gy ta c op po op p n cin F po Fu os ty n ra yl ro cr ro vo s io er la o o St c A Ac a Co n in P M tip A P Go rd on Ga M

Stony Corals

Fig. (2): Graphic representation of the relative abundance of different coral species of site 1 (Ras El Behar).

26 24 22 20 18 16 14 12 10 8 Abundance 6 4 2 0

lis s s gi p. s a ata ni sp. ata s a ronos ul ia sp. a sp. a sp. a sp. still inthus stoma umi rucosa cor uensi ton y c y a an enber enia sp. y hotom a er etiformis ular a pi v ami Favia laxa v X ites flexusa a mic a inularia sp. a hy a eur a a d via speciosa v a pal S oph a dic chopor opora h Tubastrea Favites persi aea r Cl Lemnali c F Fa tr ar isti orites echinulataoseris pl LobophytumS sp. D Acr llopor lopor orites columnaris rhipatheslepor spirali Seriatopora hystrixcropor l P P ner er Stylophor cropor oci ScleronephthMil A A oci ydnophor di Montipora ehr C P P H oniastraeGonias G Gar Soft Corals Black Hydrocorals Stony Corals coral

Fig. (3): Graphic representation of the relative abundance of different coral species of site 2 (Shabrour Umm Gam’ar).

231 STATUS OF CORAL REEF AFFECTED BY DIFFERENT IMPACTS IN SOME SITES OF THE RED SEA

12 10

8

6 Abundance 4

2

0

i i . . . a x a a is s is a is s a s a a s a p a a s a a a a a a t i h l i y li t i r p p ll p tr e c i s n e s n n s l n s d s d e n s le ic la i m o r a la li e d e o s s m y s l s a r o n o i u o m n a n i l o o s i r t m w c o r x u o r a p a i a a t h a r t y e u e a r c u e s o t i i r u e s r u c a e l d o p r s r o p e is h h p h ld e r i l to a s a m n y o t y a r v f o n s p e e i a h t o m p a r e v m u m a l e p y m a i h e s c u e o r a s a r ic a c a r e u r f a a a c a t li o u X l o r a o c e r p r v n a s i e a l t h o v d a r h o d te a r y r v i p h o p a e a o a o i e l y e a p a c r o r a p t r r v s o t a o g r i l a a o p o a r s p a v i A n h c t r ti i h t o r o o o r a e p r w P y o C r p p o r e o a t u p n o o s b a p o c p r p o F i o o i o c o i o u o i p h P v i F m p p i r p o c p s o D l l o o A c lo n P n e T e r o r A l o a i s M l le e ty c r r c i l o te h i m il l S c a c il F i r i H S A c r A G r c A o c o e m M M A o o E s a P Organ p P o s o P t Soft r p P Blue c e Pipe A L Corals Coral Coral Stony Corals Hydrocorals

Fig. (4): Graphic representation of the relative abundance of different coral species of site 3 (Kalawy).

16 14 12 10 8 6 Abundance 4 2 0

i . . . a a a a s a s s a a s a s a s a a a a a a i i i i i h t m t p p p l r l l r l s e i d n n u d e s c n i u s s i s s s i e m u a r t e m o a r l l l s y a f l r a r s n n u o r r i o m e m g h t t o y u s o l e a i a a t r a o e e i i e i a r u r r l u i e c e s r p a s c n l l d o p g e i p i u t s n h h n p o u y i y n i a u t g a o s h t c i a r e n l e r l p m d m a m c u t c q y a a i e i m a u v o n u X i r r a a m a t o l e r s c v a i o a e r a a s a n d o o o p P r e i p h r d r o c a s a a p o a s e v p i t o l a r o a F o P a S a r a p a a i s r r o o v a r r p r a p r P e o A o r r o e e o o a e r o o o r o o t a p p c c o a i r p i r p F a o r r p p c p P t o o A r t c o A p n e r r o t o l e o r A s l l o s l c c r A l o i l s i P a i c i a c t a i A A c n G A r M M A n n o o e o o P d G i G M S Soft corals Hydrocoralss Stony Corals

Fig. (5): Graphic representation of the relative abundance of different coral species of site 4 (El Hamraween).

232 M. S. A. AMMAR et al

The higher depths (18-22m) of the same and Scoffin et al. (1992) that, the skeletal control site were characterized by the density react differently with the surrounding abundance of the massive stony coral conditions. Among the recorded stoloniferian Goniopora columna, the encrusting and corals, one species (Clavularia sp.) was flattened corals Pavona varians, Leptoseris frequent while the other(Tubipora musica) mycetoseroides and Psammocora haimaena. was scarce. The only soft coral (Xenia sp.) These depths are mostly overshadowed by was scarce. The two anemones Palythoa sp. the areas upper to the slope because of its and Parazoanthus sp. were frequent and sharp steepness. This result agrees with the recorded only in Kalawy area. Four species conclusion of Frick and Schuhmacher (1982) of sponges were recorded, the most frequent that, branched colonies usually decrease with one (Aaptos suberitoides) was found in depth and are replaced by encrusting and Kalawy. The zonation of the octocoral flattened colonies, which have a great ability Clavularia sp. and sea anemone Palythoa sp. to entrap light. Todd et al. (2004) suggested at 11-15m depth of the control site is that corallites expand, extend and deepen in probably due to their flexible tissues that can high light condition. However the light is the adapt with the current found in that zone. primary controlling factor inducing small- In site 4 (El-Hamraween), 22 stony corals, scale morphological change in coral reefs. 2 soft corals and 2 hydrocorals were The highest number and abundance of the recorded. Among the recorded stony corals, 5 species of Acropora (branching corals) species belonging to the genera Acropora, especially in the shallow area (4-8m depth) of Pocillopora and Porites were abundant, other the control site confirms the finding of Porter 3 species of the same genera were common, 7 (1976) that light capturing abilities in shallow species were frequent and 7 were scarce. water is favoured by branching corals which Pocillopora was characterized by bright have more photosynthetically-active and violet colour while Porites was characterized hence organically-productive tissue per unit by pink patches on their surfaces. The stony volume of water than a hemispherical head of coral Stylophora pistillata was completely the same volume. The paucity of those absent in El-Hamraween. The two recorded species of Acropora (except Acropora soft corals (Sinularia sp. and Xenia sp.) were humilis and A. hemperichi), on the reef flat scarce. The two recorded hydrocorals and the reef crest is perhaps due to their (Millepora dichotoma and M. platyphylla) lower skeletal strength which cannot tolerate were both scarce. Hamraween, the site having the strong wave breakings in those zones. phosphate and sulphur enrichment, is the only Brown et al. (1985) reported that the corals in site procured as higher number and exposed areas can have denser skeletons and abundance of Acropora as the control site, hence may be more resistant to destruction having even higher abundance of Porites and than those in more sheltered areas. Rodgers et Pocillopora than the control site. This al. (2003) mentioned that the skeletal strength indicates that the three mentioned genera obtained from the experiments correlate with Acropora, Pocillopora and Porites have been the wave energy present in the environment positively affected by phosphates and sulphur in the region they inhabit, suggesting that by increasing in the growth rate. The sharp structural strength of corals is an adaptive bright violet colour of Pocillopora and bright response to hydraulic stress. The ability of pink patches of Porites sp., beside the well Millepora sp. and Acropora humilis, in flourishing coral reefs in the phosphate and contrast to other recorded species, to increase sulphur enriched site apparently contradict their skeletal densities as an adaptation to with the result of Hawkins et al. (1991) who exposed conditions can be explained by the claimed that coral recovery is likely to be statement of Wellington and Glynn (1983) inhibited by the large amount of phosphate.

233 STATUS OF CORAL REEF AFFECTED BY DIFFERENT IMPACTS IN SOME SITES OF THE RED SEA

The presence of sulphur beside while El-Hamraween, the site phosphorus in the present study may have impacted by phosphate and sulphur beneficial synergetic effect that may lead to enrichments, has 22 stony corals, 2 flourishing corals but this needs further soft and 2 hydrocorals. laboratory experiments to confirm. In 3. The skeletal growth (asexual contrast, Stambler et al. (1991) found that reproduction) of the scleractinian phosphorus enrichment alone had no effect coral Stylophora pistillata enlarges while addition of nitrogen to phosphorus greatly at the expense of other slowed the skeletal growth rate of corals. corals, in presence of chronic oil Ward and Harrison (2000) found that pollution. In contrast, that species is elevated phosphorus alone resulted in corals completely suppressed in presence producing more but smaller eggs and more of phosphate and sulphur sperms materials while elevation of enrichment. phosphorus and nitrogen together can have 4. Petroleum oil leads to coral scarcity, severe effects on the reproductive ability of space monopolization by one coral, corals. The stony coral Stylophora pistillata increased sea urchins and algae. is an exception in the present study where it was completely absent in El-Hamraween, the RECOMMENDATIONS site having phosphate and sulphur enrichment as well as rain flood run-off. Walker and 1. Review of various techniques, Ormond (1982) found that the rate of death of dealing with the effect of phosphate colonies of the coral Stylophora pistillata was on corals, and taking care of their 4–5 times as great in the areas harmed by the precision is necessary because spillage of phosphate as in a control area in indications of the field work are Aqaba, Red Sea. Another reported case for different from many of the reviewed the complete absence of Stylophora pistillata experimental literatures. is found in the actively rain flooding site 2. Phosphate and sulphur can be used Wadi El-Gemal, Red Sea, Egypt (Ammar, as feeding nutrients on culturing the 2005). It is to be noticed that the bivalve corals Acropora, Pocillopora and Tridacna sp. was common in El-Hamraween, Porites as well as the bivalve the site having phosphate and sulphur Tridacna sp. provided that precise enrichment, suggesting phosphate and laboratory experiments should be sulphur are useful nutrients to that bivalve. done to determine the critical beneficial concentration of these 4. CONCLUSIONS nutrients. 3. Branches of Stylophora pistillata 1. Coral reefs enriched with phosphate monopolizing space in areas of in the field, in contrast to most petroleum oil impact should not be experimental literature, have used as asexual recruits for reef extraordinary well flourishing rehabilitation since they are non corals, beside the bivalve Tridacna fertile and would not help in sp. Therefore, review of various improving the diversity through techniques, dealing with the effect of sexual reproduction phosphate on corals, and taking care of their precision is necessary. REFERENCES 2. Ras El-Behar, the site impacted by petroleum oil, has 13 reported stony Abu-Helal A. H.: 1994, Effect of depositional corals but no soft or hydrocorals, environment and sources of pollution on

234 M. S. A. AMMAR et al

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