Laboratory experiments on the effects of crude oil on the red sea coral stylophora pistillata
Laboratory experiments on the effects of crude oil on the red sea coral stylophora pistillata
Rinkevich, B.; Loya, Y.
Marine Pollution Bulletin 10(11): 328-330
1979
Sub-lethal detrimental effects of Iranian crude oil were studied on the hermatypic coral S. pistillata in a long term laboratory experiment. The experimental system consisted of 4 1500 l capacity tanks, 2 of which were periodically polluted. A significant decrease in the number of female gonads per polyp were recorded in 75% of the colonies in the polluted tanks. It is concluded that chronic oil pollution damages the reproductive system of scleractinian corals.