Mortality and Settlement Success of Pocillopora damicornis Planula Larvae during Recovery from Low Levels of Nickel

Abstract

Effects on mortality and settlement of Pocillopora damicornis planula larvae during recovery from low levels of Ni++ were investigated. Results indicated that a nickel concentration of 9 ppm over 12 hr was sufficient to cause 50% mortality in larvae 39.6 hr after removal of the toxicant. Settlement in larvae was more sensitive, showing significantly reduced settlement rates from 9 days into recovery, after exposure to I ppm Ni++ at durations of 12-96 hr. It is recommended that coral planula larvae be utilized more extensively in pollution studies.