The effect of water flow on coral growth is reflected by
the sum of the flow effects on particle capture, nutrient
uptake, photosynthesis and respiration (Sebenset al.2003).
Water flow enhances photosynthetic rates ofin hospite
Symbiodiniumand increases respiration rates of coral tissue, as well as calcification rates, growth rate, uptake of dissolved nutrients and waste disposal from coral surfaces.
Water flow interacts synergistically with light because it
determines both the rate of supply of nutrients needed for
photosynthesis and the efflux rate of oxygen and oxygen
radicals that may inhibit photosynthesis (Osinga et al.
2011). For instance, in the symbiotic coralGalaxea fascicularis, a combination of high light and flow had a positive