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Fig. 1. Coral reef zonation showing gradients of light, nutrients and temperature with changes in depth from shallow reefs to mesophotic depths. Coral zonation image courtesy of Cayman Islands Twilight Zone 2007 Ocean Exploration Expedition and Kyle Carothers, NOAA-Ocean Exploration.

Figure 1 Coral reef zonation showing gradients of light, nutrients and temperature with changes in depth from shallow reefs to mesophotic depths. Coral zonation image courtesy of Cayman Islands Twilight Zone 2007 Ocean Exploration Expedition and Kyle Carothers, NOAA-Ocean Exploration.

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Contents 1. Introduction ment (Knowlton, 2001). The most profound effects have occurred in the Caribbean where declines of shallow-water zooxanthellate scleractinian corals are closely linked to the loss of the sea urchin Diadema antillarum, increasing incidence of coral disease, recurring disturbance events such as hurricanes, and coral bleaching related to thermal stress (Gardner et al., 2003; Hughes et al., 2003; Lesser, 2004). The most profound changes have occurred on coral reefs <20 m deep whereas deeper reefs (>30 m) have been shown to be largely free from anthropogenic and natural impacts (Bak et al., 2005). There is evidence to support this; a study on the conservation status of 704 species of scleractinian corals worldwide revealed that 40% are found at depths <20 m, whereas the remaining 60% can survive at depths >20 m (Carpenter et al., 2008).
Contents 1. Introduction ment (Knowlton, 2001). The most profound effects have occurred in the Caribbean where declines of shallow-water zooxanthellate scleractinian corals are closely linked to the loss of the sea urchin Diadema antillarum, increasing incidence of coral disease, recurring disturbance events such as hurricanes, and coral bleaching related to thermal stress (Gardner et al., 2003; Hughes et al., 2003; Lesser, 2004). The most profound changes have occurred on coral reefs <20 m deep whereas deeper reefs (>30 m) have been shown to be largely free from anthropogenic and natural impacts (Bak et al., 2005). There is evidence to support this; a study on the conservation status of 704 species of scleractinian corals worldwide revealed that 40% are found at depths <20 m, whereas the remaining 60% can survive at depths >20 m (Carpenter et al., 2008).
Fig. 2. Spectral irradiance curves from 300-700 nm modeled from the surface to 90 m depth. We modeled the underwater light field using spectral irradiance data collected adjacent to a mesophotic coral reef in the Bahamas and then calculated a spectral attenuation coefficient for downwelling irradiances to model depths deeper than 20 m. The photosynthetic apparatus of zooxanthellate scleractinian corals, macroalgae, and sponges harboring photosynthetic cyanobacteria must The light environment is an important factor controlling the yroductivity, physiology, and ecology of corals (Dustan, 1982;
Fig. 2. Spectral irradiance curves from 300-700 nm modeled from the surface to 90 m depth. We modeled the underwater light field using spectral irradiance data collected adjacent to a mesophotic coral reef in the Bahamas and then calculated a spectral attenuation coefficient for downwelling irradiances to model depths deeper than 20 m. The photosynthetic apparatus of zooxanthellate scleractinian corals, macroalgae, and sponges harboring photosynthetic cyanobacteria must The light environment is an important factor controlling the yroductivity, physiology, and ecology of corals (Dustan, 1982;
Fig. 3. A) Profiles of temperature, water density, chlorophyll concentration and nitrate concentration with increasing depth collected off of Florida Keys. Data redrawn from Leichter et al. (2007) with the addition of new data from same profile not previously published. B) Seven months of continuous recorded temperatures at depths of 10, 23, 30, 38, 46, 61, and 76 m on the north side of Little Cayman Island (Rock Bottom Wall). All data were collected using HOBO Pro V2 underwater temperature loggers. The red arrows indicate significant hurricane event passing close to or over Little Cayman Island on August 29, 2008 (Category 4, Gustav from the Northeast) and November 8, 2008 (Category 4, Paloma from the South). While the hurricanes were in the same category their approach to Little Cayman produced significantly difference effects as observed in the differences in the magnitude of the depth of mixing observed. Note also the increase in the magnitude of the temperature anomalies produced by internal waves which dissipates as depth decreases but can be observed at depths as shallow as 23-30 m.
Fig. 3. A) Profiles of temperature, water density, chlorophyll concentration and nitrate concentration with increasing depth collected off of Florida Keys. Data redrawn from Leichter et al. (2007) with the addition of new data from same profile not previously published. B) Seven months of continuous recorded temperatures at depths of 10, 23, 30, 38, 46, 61, and 76 m on the north side of Little Cayman Island (Rock Bottom Wall). All data were collected using HOBO Pro V2 underwater temperature loggers. The red arrows indicate significant hurricane event passing close to or over Little Cayman Island on August 29, 2008 (Category 4, Gustav from the Northeast) and November 8, 2008 (Category 4, Paloma from the South). While the hurricanes were in the same category their approach to Little Cayman produced significantly difference effects as observed in the differences in the magnitude of the depth of mixing observed. Note also the increase in the magnitude of the temperature anomalies produced by internal waves which dissipates as depth decreases but can be observed at depths as shallow as 23-30 m.
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