Relationship of coral fluorescence, zooxanthellae density and chlorophyll a content in scleractinian corals of Pulau Bidong

Abstract

The present study was conducted· at Pantai Pasir Cina of Pulau Bidong, Terengganu. The fluorescence values were measured in-situ usmg Diving-PAM and underwater camera. Samples were collected for zooxanthellae count and to measure chlorophyll a concentration. According to the results, the chlorophyll a concentration was different from species to species. However, the zooxanthellae density was not significantly different from species to species. The results showed that the fluorescence yield Ill the mormng was significantly different from fluorescence yield lil the afternoon. The maximum and rmrnmum fluorescence yields measured Ill the noon were significantly different from depth to depth. The m1rumum and maxlffium fluorescence yield Ill the noon can be uses to predict the zooxanthellae density m Stylophora sp., whereas the Fv/Fm m the afternoon can be uses to predict the zooxanthellae density m branching Acropora sp. The photographic method suggested that this method might only be suitable for corals with a flat and uniform surface. Baseline data should be formed m order to have a better understand on the reef of Pulau Bidong.