Reef bioerosion : agents and processes

摘要: Coral reef maintenance depends on the balance between constructive and destructive forces. Constructive forces are mainly calcification growth of corals encrusting coralline algae. Destructive comprise physical, chemical, biological erosion. Bioerosion is considered as main force degradation because physical erosion (storms) temporary localized, chemical negligible due to actual ocean chemistry (Scoffin et al. 1980). Reef bioerosion affects sedimentary skeletal carbonate substrates. It plays an important role in sedimentation, diversity by creating habitats providing food resources, biogeochemical cycles (recycling dissolved Ca2+ C). Thus, integral part coral balance. The concept was introduced Neumann (1966). includes biocorrosion, which refers destruction carbonates means, bioabrasion mechanical removal organisms (Golubic Schneider 1979; Torunski 1983).