Northeastern Atlantic cold-water coral reefs and climate

Frank N, Freiwald A, López Correa M, Wienberg C, Eisele M, Hebbeln D, van Rooij D, Henriet JP, Colin C, van Weering T, de Haas H, Buhl-Mortensen P, Roberts JM, De Mol B, Douville E, Blamart D, Hatté C (2011)


Publication Language: English

Publication Type: Journal article, Original article

Publication year: 2011

Journal

Publisher: Geological Society of America

Book Volume: 39

Pages Range: 743-746

Journal Issue: 8

DOI: 10.1130/G31825.1

Abstract

U-series age patterns obtained on reef framework-forming cold-water corals collected over a nearly 6000-km-long continental margin sector, extending from off Mauritania (17°N; northwest Africa) to the southwestern Barents Sea (70°N; northeastern Europe), reveal strong climate infl uences on the geographical distribution and sustained development of these ecosystems. Over the past three glacial-interglacial cycles, framework-forming cold-water corals (Lophelia pertusa and Madrepora oculata) seem to have predominantly populated reefs, canyons, and patches in the temperate East Atlantic and the Mediterranean Sea. Above 50°N corals colonize reefs in the northern East Atlantic primarily during warm climate periods with the biogeographic limit advancing from ~50°N to ~70°N. We propose that north-south oscillations of the biogeographic limit of reef developments are paced by ice ages and may occur synchronously with north-south displacement of cold nutrient-rich intermediate waters and surface productivity related to changes of the polar front. © 2011 Geological Society of America.

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How to cite

APA:

Frank, N., Freiwald, A., López Correa, M., Wienberg, C., Eisele, M., Hebbeln, D.,... Hatté, C. (2011). Northeastern Atlantic cold-water coral reefs and climate. Geology, 39(8), 743-746. https://dx.doi.org/10.1130/G31825.1

MLA:

Frank, Norbert, et al. "Northeastern Atlantic cold-water coral reefs and climate." Geology 39.8 (2011): 743-746.

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