Hydrodynamics, thermodynamics and nutrient fluxes in a tide- dominated coral reef atoll system

Despite comprising ~30% of reefs worldwide, hydrodynamic processes within tide-dominated coral reefs are poorly understood. Many ecological processes within a reef depend on the exchange and redistribution of nutrients, organic particles, temperature and oxygen, which are largely determined by circulation patterns and residence time. This study was conducted at Scott Reef, a system of isolated coral reef atolls off northwest Australia. Field observations and numerical modelling were used to investigate how large tides interact with the atolls to influence the hydrodynamics and circulation, and therefore control the spatial and temporal distribution of water quality parameters including nutrients and temperature.