Sponge Reefs on the continental shelf |
Proactive disclosure Print version ![Print version Print version](/web/20061103060157im_/http://gsc.nrcan.gc.ca/esst_images/_printversion2.gif) ![ÿ](/web/20061103060157im_/http://gsc.nrcan.gc.ca/esst_images/_spacer.gif) | ![ÿ](/web/20061103060157im_/http://gsc.nrcan.gc.ca/esst_images/_spacer.gif) | ![Sustainable development of natural resources Sustainable development of natural resources](/web/20061103060157im_/http://gsc.nrcan.gc.ca/esst_images/2002isdev_e.jpeg) Natural Resources Canada > Earth Sciences Sector > Priorities > Sustainable development of natural resources > Sponge Reefs on the continental shelf
Sponge reefs on the continental shelf Construction
Nature's simplest and most primitive multicellular animals are building
truly massive reef structures and a complex seabed community.
![sponge larva sponge larva](/web/20061103060157im_/http://gsc.nrcan.gc.ca/marine/sponge/images/larv1.gif) sponge larva |
The sponges that build the reefs are members of a special group of glass sponges
that have a complex skeleton made of fused glass spicules. These skeletons
provide the framework that allows multi year habitation of the reef sites
by the sponges. The special ability of these sponges is that they can
weld together in different ways so that from a living sponge to a dead
and partly buried neighbour, a new outgrowth can grow and attach and stabilize
the living sponge. Young sponge larvae attach to the skeletons of dead
sponges, so that the old reef surface is the site of new sponge growth
and so renewed reef growth. The sponges trap sediment and build up the
mound slowly. When a sponge dies the skeleton is ultimately incorporated
whole into the reef surface and trapping of sediments is reduced. When
new sponges grow on the surface of the mound particle trapping begins
again. As the sponges grow material becomes trapped in the frame of the
sponge. The cycle of sponge growth then sediment trapping and ultimately
death of the sponge may take many decades to complete. The sponges have
been building the oldest and largest mounds for about 9,000 years.
![sponge reef/ sponge reef/](/web/20061103060157im_/http://gsc.nrcan.gc.ca/marine/sponge/images/reef1.gif) sponge reef/ |
![Huntec deep-tow seismic profile (internal hydrophone) across sponge reefs in Hecate strait Huntec deep-tow seismic profile (internal hydrophone) across sponge reefs in Hecate strait](/web/20061103060157im_/http://gsc.nrcan.gc.ca/marine/sponge/images/spgmound.gif) Huntec deep-tow seismic profile (internal hydrophone) across sponge reefs in Hecate strait |
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