SEDIMENT SUPPLY VARIABILITY DURING AN ANNUAL CYCLE IN SALMEDINA REEF BANKS

Abstract

To understand sedimentation processes at Salmedina Reef Banks during the annual cycle, three cylindrical sediment traps were installed on the flat top of the reef Banks at mean depth of 8.5 m. Cylinders were collected monthly between July, 2003 and September, 2004. The trap content was analyzed by bulk composition and the composition of biogenic calcareous particles from the sand fraction. Results were compared with environmental parameters of the area trough the same time span. Sedimentological variables were analyzed with emphasis on terrigenous supply and relative percentages of calcareous components related to location and physical parameters. It was found that the totality of sedimentation, terrigenous contribution included, was concentrated during the dry season. Both temperature and sedimentation are stress factors for coral development at this place.