Effect of well-drilling fluids on the physiological status and microbial infection of the reef building coral Montastrea annularis [Pollution]

The reef building coral, Montastrea annularis , was exposed continuously to suspensions of oil and gas well-drilling fluids at concentrations of 0.1, 0.01, and 0.001 mu l/ml in flowing seawater at the U.S. Naval Stage I platform (30 degree 7.5' N, 85 degree 46.3' W). Changes in free amino acid concentrations were detected as well as significant decreases in the recoverable diacyl phospholipid. Significant increases in plasmalogen phospholipids appeared with exposure, suggesting infection by anaerobic fermenting bacteria which can indicate disease. The evidence suggests that biochemical indicators of infection with anaerobic bacteria may be useful as sensitive markers for pollution-induced changes in reef building corals and for monitoring the health of coral reefs.