This paper reviews our knowledge of oil-pollution effects on coral-reef communities, concentrating on research
done since the last review on this subject by Johannes (1975). The review focusses on crude-oil effects on scleractinian corals and
octocorals and summarizes the small amount of work conducted on other reef organisms, as well as on the reef flora. Until 1975
there appeared to be no conclusive evidence that oil floating above the reef damages the corals. Although conflicting reports
continue to appear in the literature, growing evidence indicates a detrimental influence of oil pollution on coral-reef
communities. Laboratory experiments and long-term field studies in the Red Sea witness detrimental effects of oil pollution on
reef corals, such as complete lack of colonization by hermatypic corals in reef areas chronically polluted by oil, decrease in
colony viability, damage to the reproductive system of corals (smaller number of breeding colonies, decrease in number of ovaria
per polyp, fewer planulae per coral head and premature planulae shedding), lower life expectancy of planulae and abnormal
behavioural responses of planulae and corals. Other detrimental effects on reef corals caused by crude oil, mainly reported from
the Caribbean, include lower growth rates, direct damage to tissues, thinning of cell layers and disruption of cell structure.
damage to tactile stimuli and normal feeding mechanisms, excessive mucus secretion leading to enhanced bacterial growth and
eventual coral destruction. All investigators studying effects of crude-oil emulcifiers on reef areas polluted by oil conclude that
these enhance the damage; hence mechanical oil removal is recommended. There IS urgent need for more field and laboratory
research on long-term oil-pollution effects on coral-reef communities. Suggestions are made as to the type of studies required for
a better understanding of the problem.
This paper reviews our knowledge of oil-pollution effects on coral-reef communities, concentrating on research
done since the last review on this subject by Johannes (1975). The review focusses on crude-oil effects on scleractinian corals and
octocorals and summarizes the small amount of work conducted on other reef organisms, as well as on the reef flora. Until 1975
there appeared to be no conclusive evidence that oil floating above the reef damages the corals. Although conflicting reports
continue to appear in the literature, growing evidence indicates a detrimental influence of oil pollution on coral-reef
communities. Laboratory experiments and long-term field studies in the Red Sea witness detrimental effects of oil pollution on
reef corals, such as complete lack of colonization by hermatypic corals in reef areas chronically polluted by oil, decrease in
colony viability, damage to the reproductive system of corals (smaller number of breeding colonies, decrease in number of ovaria
per polyp, fewer planulae per coral head and premature planulae shedding), lower life expectancy of planulae and abnormal
behavioural responses of planulae and corals. Other detrimental effects on reef corals caused by crude oil, mainly reported from
the Caribbean, include lower growth rates, direct damage to tissues, thinning of cell layers and disruption of cell structure.
damage to tactile stimuli and normal feeding mechanisms, excessive mucus secretion leading to enhanced bacterial growth and
eventual coral destruction. All investigators studying effects of crude-oil emulcifiers on reef areas polluted by oil conclude that
these enhance the damage; hence mechanical oil removal is recommended. There IS urgent need for more field and laboratory
research on long-term oil-pollution effects on coral-reef communities. Suggestions are made as to the type of studies required for
a better understanding of the problem.
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