Spatial Variability of UVR Attenuation and Bio-Optical Factors in Shallow Coral-Reef Waters of Malaysia

Kuwahara V.S.1 , Nakajima R.2 , Toda T.2 , Othman B.H.R3 , Kushairi M.R.M.4
1. Faculty of Education, Soka university(victor@soka.ac.jp) 2. Department of Environmental Engineering for Symbiosis, Faculty of Engineering, Soka University 3. Marine Ecosystem Research Centre, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangssan Bangi 4. Faculty of Science and Environmental Technology, Universiti Industri Selangor

Abstract
Biologically diverse coral-reef ecosystems are both directly and indirectly vulnerable to changes in the spectral ultraviolet radiation (UVR) distribution. The aim of this study was to measure the variability of UVR and photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) penetration in the water above coral reefs around the Malaysian peninsula, measure the variability and distribution of UVR-specific biogeochemical factors, and determine the impact of biogeochemical variability as it affects the UVR: PAR ratio. The UVR: PAR ratio was relatively higher in the East Coast relative to West Coast, suggesting variable concentrations of UVR-specific absorbing components. At all sites, UVR attenuation coefficients showed significant correlations with chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM), but were spatially dependent with respect to chlorophyll a, particulate organic carbon (POC) and dissolved organic carbon (DOC). The results imply that bio-optically significant CDOM and DOC factors are uncoupled in coral- reef communities of Malaysia. The results sustain prior studies that show chromophorically active concentrations of DOM and POC are significantly altering the amount of UVR penetration above coral reefs and may be notable factors in regulating intricate biogeochemical cycles around benthic coral communities in Malaysia.

Introduction
Coral reef ecosystems are generally situated in the smaller zenith angle regions of the tropical and subtropical oceans, exposing them to the highest levels of solar UVR (Madronic et al. 2000; Banaszak and Lesser 2009). Recently, global stratospheric ozone depletion from anthropogenic inputs has enhanced UV-B radiation with minimal effects on ultraviolet-A radiation (UV-A; 320-400) and photosynthetically active radiation (PAR; 400-700 nm). Several studies in marine ecosystem continue to confirm the general consensus that solar UV-B negatively affects primary and secondary productivity, reproduction and development of organisms, and negatively alters species diversity (De Mora et al. 2000; Arrigo et al. 2003; Hader et al. 2007; Villafane et al. 2008). A few studies have shown that damage from UV-B radiation is nominal for certain species of corals and symbionts, presumably because of depth dependency and sufficient protection by MAAs (Gleason and Wellington 1993; Shick et al. 1996; Shick and Dunlap 2000; Lesser 2000; Lesser and Farrell 2004). The exposure of coral assemblages to UVR depends not only on the ambient irradiance at the sea surface, but also on the transmission of UVR as it passes through the air-sea interface, and then down wells through the water column (Hargreaves 2003; Zepp et al. 2003). Water itself is relatively transparent to UVR (Morel et al. 2007), whereas the concentration and optical qualities of suspended particles and dissolve organic matter (DOM) are known to significantly affect UVR penetration. According to comprehensive study conducted by Zepp et al. (2008), which measures and modeled UVR impacts on coral reefs in Florida Keys conclude that UVR penetration was primarily regulated by the spatial and temporal variability of CDOM. This paper summarizes the results of our work with particular emphasis on the diffuse attenuation of UV-B and discusses some of the potential biological consequences for corals.

Methodology
Survey area and instruments
Downwelling solar irradiation measurements including UVR were obtained using the factory calibrated PUV (Profiling Ultraviolet Radiometer)-- 500/510 radiometers (Biospherical Instruments, Inc.)

Result

Downwelling UVR irradiance (Ed()) at 305 (square), 320 (diamond), 340 (triangle), and 380 nm (circle) profiled on the West Coast at Japanese Garden (Bottom depth = 17.5 m; 21-Aug-2007).

Mean water column concentrations of a) CDOMfn (ppb) and bb (660 nm), b) chlorophyll a (g 1-1) and salinity, and c) POC (mg m-3) and DOC (mg m-3) from respective survey stations.

Locations of the study sites around the Malaysian peninsula.

Irradiance profile measurement

The instruments are designed to measure absolute UVR irradiance values within 10nm bands centered at 305, 320, 340, and 380 nm for UVR and 400-700 nm broadband for PAR. a) The relative depth of Z10% surface irradiance penetration with respect to substrate depth. b) Relative surface irradiance (%) at 305, 320, 340, 380 nm and PAR reaching the bottom substrate (coral reef). c) The ration of Z1%UVR () depth relative to Z1%PAR depth. a) aCDOM (m-1) absorption spectra and b) a()CDOM normalized to a(280)CDOM obtained from respective survey stations.

Environmental variables

Acknowledgement
Thank you to Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) for the Multilateral Cooperative Research Program, Coastal Oceanography. A gratitude to the Open Research Program of Soka University, Japan and JSPS/Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Research Grant for the funding.

Discussion
Solar radiation is an important parameter in the healthy functioning of coral reefs but some dimensions of this variable are not well understood. The result presented here show that UVR penetration is highly variable in the clear, shallow Malaysian coral reef ecosystem because of fluctuating concentrations of CDOM. UVR attenuation is coastally dependent, more variable than previously assumed, and subject to specific biogeochemical processes unique to respective West and East Coasts around the Malaysian Peninsula. In future studies, it will be very important to decide how these UV-induced photoreaction and possible byproducts are formed and affect the overall health and diversity of coral reef ecosystem, in Malaysia and elsewhere.

References
Kuwahara

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