 by Clayton B. Cook, Ph.D. Division of Marine Science, HARBOR BRANCH OCEANOGRAPHIC INSTITUTION |
It has often been observed that coral reef growth in the Florida Keys is
impacted when reefs are exposed to the waters of Florida Bay. This is
particularly evident where major passes between the islands of the Keys
allow Florida Bay water to flow eastward. Hawk Channel runs along the
Keys from the northeast to the southwest, and separates the Keys from
the reef tract proper to the east.
(Right) The northern shore of Florida Bay. In contrast to the reef tract off the Florida Keys, Florida Bay is shallow, has poor circulation, and experiences significant variations in salinity, turbidity, and temperature. In this area, Florida Bay is about 20 miles wide. Dr. Clay Cook of HARBOR BRANCH Oceanographic Institution, with funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the South Florida Water Management District, set up an experiment in which reef corals were situated on either side of Hawk Channel. On the west side of the Channel, corals were directly exposed to the waters of Florida Bay during ebb tides; on the east side, the corals were located at the westernmost edge of the reef tract. Thus, he could monitor the effects of Florida Bay water on the growth and physiology of the corals. |
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