[Coral-List] Request for Information - Seagrass of the Gulf - Salinity & Temperature Tolerance

[Tom Williams]

Jeremy

In Dubai, large sea grass stands occurred in the shallow waters (<10m) offshore of the groynes of Deira, NE of the Khor Dubai opening.  The bottom and bar/shoal had stablized by the brteakwaters of Port Rashid.

Some sea\grass was also offshore of the Jebel Ali Power Stations again in <10m waters.  Most bottom was hard sandstone, swept of loose materials except for areas offshore of Port Rahsid and in very steep beaches at <6m and in disturbed /wave/surf zones.

Stories are that the Bight offshore of Sila and Ruwais has "vast" sea grass groves = dugongs grounds...so they must be pretty hardy as the shallow waters of the Qatar-Ruwais-Das island has warm temperatures and 44+ppt salinity...but they seem to need the bottom type to flourish.

Tom


--- On Sun, 10/5/08, Jeremy Sofonia <jeremy at sofonia.com> wrote:

> From: Jeremy Sofonia <jeremy at sofonia.com>
> Subject: [Coral-List] Request for Information - Seagrass of the Gulf - Salinity & Temperature Tolerance
> To: coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
> Date: Sunday, October 5, 2008, 7:31 AM
> Dear List,
> 
> I’m currently working on a impact assessment project in
> Bahrain relative
> to a proposed desalination power production development.
> 
> As with such projects, changes in salinity and temperature
> resulting from
> effluent discharge and their potential impacts to the local
> environment
> are of primary concern.
> 
> In this instance, the benthic community is dominated by
> seagrass ranging
> in depth from the lower intertidal zone to a depth of
> approximately -10m
> (LAT).
> 
> Unfortunately, however, I don't have a great site
> specific water quality
> baseline or very good handle on what seagrasses within this
> region
> normally experience.
> 
> Does anyone on the List have any ideas, or know of
> tolerance values, that
> have been observed and/or utilised in previous studies
> within the region?
> 
> Species present include:
> - Halodule uninervis (most common);
> - Halophila stipulacea; and
> - Halophila ovalis
> 
> At the time of field observation, ambient water salinity
> was approximately
> 45ppt. and temperature ranged from 31-33C. Grasses at most
> locations
> appeared relatively healthy with cover nearing 100%.
> 
> Any thoughts would be appreciated.
> 
> Jeremy
> 
> 
> 
> 
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