Dissolved Fatty Acids and Organic Carbon in Sea Water from the Fringing-Barrier Reef at Discovery Bay, Jamaica

Publisher： University of Miami - Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science

ISSN： 0007-4977

Source： Bulletin of Marine Science, Vol.30, Iss.3, 1980-07, pp. : 657-666

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Abstract

Concentrations of dissolved fatty acids, dissolved organic carbon, and particulate organic carbon were determined in water obtained from transects of the fringing-barrier reef at Discovery Bay, Jamaica. Virtually no surface enhancement of these organic constituents is found relative to subsurface concentrations in these reef waters. Dissolved fatty acids appear to be removed from water at the turbulent reef crest and partially replaced in water after passage over the crest. Particulate and dissolved organic carbon levels are high at the reef crest, but do not follow a consistent pattern of change as water flows across the reef. Vertical profiles of dissolved fatty acids and dissolved and particulate organic carbon suggest an important benthic contribution of these materials in lagoonal waters but not in forereef waters. A rapid removal or recycling of dissolved lipids is suggested by the fatty acid concentration patterns.