Kingsford and Wolanski, 2008: 

"Oceanography affects the GBR at large and small spatial scales. At the largest spatial scales (thousands of kilometres) major oceanic currents of the Coral Sea bath the GBR, affecting patterns of connectivity between reefs and the likelihood of coral bleaching. At very small spatial scales (centimetres to metres) small scale turbulence can affect the settlement patterns of organisms such as corals. The oceanography of the GBR is affected by oceanic currents, tides that flow on and off the shelf, complex topography that generates jets, eddies, stagnation, and convergences, and wind that varies in direction and strength with time of year. Variation in vertical physical structure (i.e. thermoclines and haloclines) and the input of freshwater and mud from rivers also affect water density and related currents. Across the shelf, near-shore waters are often impacted by freshwater whereas outer reefs are more affected by upwelling."

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Citation and/or URL

Kingsford, M.J. and Wolanski, E., 2008, Oceanography, In: The Great Barrier Reef: biology, environment and management, eds. P.A., Hutchings, M.J., Kingsford and O., Hough-Guldberg, CSIRO Publishing, p. 28-39. © ACRS 2008. http://www.publish.csiro.au/pid/5921.htm

Spatial Coverage

Reef-wide

Temporal Coverage

Not applicable - a synthesis

Update Frequency

Not applicable - a synthesis

Other Information

None