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Be
a Sea Fan
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Web Dive 2-Rock Key - Page
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Dive Mission
July 18, 2001
After seeing the new elkhorn coral growth on our last
dive at Sand Key, we are interested in seeing if there
is additional growth on this reef.
This monitoring transect is identified as Rock
Key Buoy 14 (RKB14) and passes through the shallow
palmata zone of the reef . From the northwest section
of the reef we will snorkel eastward in order to
enter into the shallow palmata zone. One
of the first observations we make is to visually
gauge the amount of algae that is growing on the
rubble adjacent to the reef crest near the buoy.
This area is comprised of loose coral rocks that
move around with each passing storm. There are a
few living species of soft and hard corals scattered
about. The algae growing on the bottom reflects
the amount of nutrients that are present in the
water column passing over the reef. The bottom appears
to have a normal amount of algal turf growing and
is not smothered by a massive algae bloom. This
is good.
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Rock Key reef 1993 Aerial 3
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RKB14 Acropora cervicornus image
21 06/18/01
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Snorkeling in the extreme shallows on
any coral reef is not recommended for novices. Coral growth
can easily be damaged by the fins of snorkelers, so great
care must be taken to float through these areas and not
'power fin' through them. Monitoring at this site is done
only on calm days during high tides.
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