O presente trabalho considera o conceito percepção vocal, incluindo suas funções e recursos, como uma capacidade de ouvir, conscientizar e fazer, através dos seguintes tipos de recepção sensorial: controle auditivo, sensação muscular, sensibilidade vibracional e visão. Este trabalho tem por objetivos a divulgação do referido conceito e a apresentação de métodos para o seu desenvolvimento para o cantor e regente coral, nas áreas disciplinares de canto, percepção e regência coral. A discussão é alicerçada na pesquisa da literatura russa e ucraniana sobre o assunto e tem o foco central baseado no trabalho de Vladimir Morozov. Ainda em comparação com as literaturas estadunidense e brasileira, busca refletir sobre os conteúdos relativos às áreas supracitadas e explora os meios de aprimoramento dessa habilidade na prática, com foco específico no ensino da regência coral e canto coral. Propõe assim um método de ensino que oferece uma série de exercícios de desenvolvimento da percepção vocal, que abrangem o trabalho do aluno, tanto dentro da sala de aula, quanto na sua prática com o coro, podendo tais exercícios ser aproveitados no trabalho individual. Para o trabalho de pesquisa e formulação da proposta de ensino, a metodologia escolhida foi de busca, comparação, reflexão e análise da literatura, paralelamente ao desenvolvimento de exercícios específicos. / The concept of vocal perception (including its functions and resources) is, in this dissertation, considered to be the ability of hearing, understanding and performing through the following kinds of sensorial reception: auditory control, muscular and vibrational sensitivity, as well as vision. The aims of this work are: A) divulgating the formerly mentioned concept; B) introducing methods that allow both singers and choral conductors to improve their acting. The discussion is based on the Russian and Ukrainian literature on this matter and focuses mainly on the work of Vladimir Morozov. In comparing these to the Brazilian and American literature, the dissertation also ponders over the contents that relate to the areas mentioned above, and explores the possible ways of improving this ability in practical situations, with an specific focus on choral conducting and choral singing, thus proposing a method of teaching that offers a series of exercises that will encourage the development of a vocal perception for the student, which can be applied in conducting classes, individual studying and general choral practice. When researching and creating the teaching method, the methodology of choice was to search, compare, ponder and analyze literature, while developing specific exercises.

Esta dissertação procurou investigar a criação de obra original e de arranjo de canção como modelos de repertório utilizados pelos corais amadores brasileiros, com ênfase especial no meio universitário paulista, a partir de 1960. Um panorama histórico do século XX na música coral produzida no Brasil tornou-se necessário para localizar alguns dos fatores que determinaram a inserção de arranjos da canção popular urbana, ocorrida entre as décadas de 60 e 90, em especial como decorrência da atuação de alguns compositores do grupo Música Nova. Os dados recolhidos apontam os prováveis fatores que determinaram a inserção do arranjo da canção popular urbana (num momento já posterior aos arranjos de folclore) e revelam seus desdobramentos, como por exemplo, o surgimento de uma nova poética de escrita coral, o novo fazer coral, a inclusão da performance cênica, o predomínio do arranjo sobre as obras originais criadas para coro no repertório coral deste mesmo período e as alterações na interpretação e na vocalidade, que se transformaram para se adequar à nova escrita coral proposta pelos arranjadores deste período. Em alguns casos, tornou-se a grande busca artística de importantes grupos vocais brasileiros. Os resultados obtidos destacam a atuação de três arranjadores que iniciaram este processo: Levy Damiano Cozzella, Samuel Kerr e Marcos Leite. Nesta pesquisa serão também apontadas algumas das principais diferenças entre as linhas desenvolvidas por esses arranjadores e as influências que elas tiveram na atividade coral paulista e carioca no período, com desdobramentos que alcançam os dias de hoje. Procuraremos também verificar os fatores que levaram os corais a se afastarem das obras originais criadas para o coro no Brasil neste mesmo período, uma vez que o arranjo da canção popular urbana aos poucos foi se tornando uma busca artística, pedagógica e em alguns casos política, tanto dos regentes como dos coralistas. / This thesis sought to investigate the creation of original works and arrangements as models for the repertoire used by Brazilian amateur choirs, with special emphasis on the Choir of the University of São Paulo, since 1960. A historical overview of twentieth-century choral music produced in Brazil was necessary to identify some of the factors that determined the inclusion of arrangements of popular urban song, in the repertoire occurred throughout the 60s and 90s, particularly as a result of the actions of some composers of the Grupo Música Nova (New Music Group). The collected data show the likely factors that led to the prevalence of arrangements of urban folk songs (at a period that follows the trend of arrangements of folklore materials). They also, show its consequences, such as the emergence of a new poetic of choral writing, the inclusion of theatrical performances, the little interest arose by the original works for choir composed at that same period and finally, the changes in the interpretation and vocal techniques which turned to fit the new choral writing of the period. In some cases, it became the great artistic search of important Brazilian vocal groups. The results of the research show also the fundamental contribution of three arrangers who started this process: Damiano Cozzella Levy, Samuel Kerr and Marcos Leite. This research also points out some key differences between the styles developed by these arrangers and the influence they had on the choral activity in Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro at that period. The effects of the models that they propose reach this day. We also examined factors that led most of the choral groups, to ignore the original works created for choir in Brazil at the same period, since the arrangement of popular urban songs gradually became the prevailing artistic research, teaching method and sometimes political, tool by both conductors and singers.

Dimethylsulphoniopropionate (DMSP) and dimethylsulphoxide (DMSO) (collectively DMSP/O) are produced by marine algae, including symbiotic algae within corals. These sulphur compounds are important not only in sulphur cycle dynamics but also in potentially mediating atmospheric conditions, alleviating the effects of climate change and contributing to reef health. Most research has focused on the production of DMSP and its major degradation product, the climatically active gas, dimethylsulphide (DMS) by Acropora corals in the Great Barrier Reef. However, mechanisms for the production and release of DMSP/O by different reef taxa is poorly understood. Recently the importance of mesophotic reefs as refugia for shallow water corals has been postulated, however their role in the marine sulphur cycle is unknown. This research aimed to improve our understanding of the contemporary and climate change induced seawater and tissue production of DMSP/O in a range of reef environments and taxa. This was achieved through a combination of laboratory and field - based studies, using modern and established techniques. An effect of both elevated temperature and OA on increased tissue and seawater concentrations of DMSP/O production is reported in field and laboratory studies. Contrasting effects of benthic cover on tissue DMSP/O distributions and seawater DMSP are also noted. The importance of the physical and hydrodynamic environment on biogeochemical connectivity both within a reef and between neighbouring reefs is also focussed on. Crucially, however, the novel tissue and seawater data from mesophotic sites suggests that deeper reefs could affect the biogeochemistry of their shallow water counterparts. The key finding from this work is that climate change will result in increased seawater DMSP concentrations via two mechanisms; through the increase of cellular production of DMSP/O in all reef taxa, and by increasing the biomass of prolific DMSP producers as reefs transition to a fleshy/macroalgal assemblage. Whilst this could potentially mediate the effects of climate change, it will probably also worsen overall reef health, lead to a restructuring of reef communities from the microbial level upwards and will have possibly permanent and deleterious effects on overall ecosystem function.

Este trabalho propõe-se a investigar, identificar e analisar as práticas do regente-arranjador desde a concepção do arranjo até sua performance, passando pela escolha do repertório, procedimentos e técnicas de escrita, ensaios. Objetiva ainda averiguar o quanto o regente-arranjador participa ou influencia na circulação do repertório coral brasileiro. Para isso, adotamos uma metodologia mista e pesquisa empírica. Divide-se em dois capítulos, no primeiro, pesquisando sobre a circulação do repertório, traçou-se um panorama cultural dos séculos XX e XXI, fez-se uma revisão bibliográfica de dez trabalhos que abordam em suas temáticas a produção de arranjos, entre eles Fernandes (2003), Souza (2003), Pereira (2006) e Moura (2012), discutiu-se o termo \"popular\" e o conceito de \"arranjo coral\" neste contexto e ainda analisou-se programas de concerto de encontros corais (1984-1994). No segundo capítulo, buscou-se definir o perfil do regente-arranjador, utilizando o método prosopográfico (STONE, 2011; e PAZ, 2014). Foram ainda realizadas entrevistas semiestruturadas e abertas com os regentes-arranjadores Eduardo Fernandes, Marcelo Recski e Roberto Rodrigues a fim de obter informações mais detalhadas e completas, tais entrevistas foram a única forma de chegar a esclarecimentos sobre as questões práticas sobre composição e interpretação de arranjos, além de questões específicas de determinados arranjos, que as outras metodologias não eram capazes de abarcar. Ao tratar diretamente das práticas do regente-arranjador, analisou-se: o repertório como fator de identidade de grupo; os processos de hibridação nos arranjos (CANCLINI, 2003; e BURKE, 2003); adaptações de arranjos; e regras e estratégias de escrita, leitura e interpretação de arranjos corais com base no conceito de comunidade interpretativa (OLIVEIRA, 2002). Como resultado, constatou-se que há um predomínio de arranjos em relação às composições nos programas analisados e que o regente-arranjador é o principal produtor destes arranjos. Baseado na noção de comunidade interpretativa, conclui-se que as partituras de arranjos corais são geralmente partituras abertas, sujeitas a alguns acréscimos, supressões ou transformações. A partir das entrevistas, foi possível identificar práticas de leitura e de uso compartilhadas pelos regentes corais brasileiros responsáveis pela circulação de arranjos, referentes a dinâmicas, andamentos, respirações, cifras, ritmos, entre outras. / This research is intended to investigate, identify and analyze the various practices of conductor-arranger - from the arrangement\'s conception up to its performance, throughout repertoire\'s choice, writing procedures and techniques, and rehearsals. It also aims to verify how much the conductor-arranger participates or even influences Brazilian choral repertoire\'s circulation. For that, we have adopted a mixed methodology and empirical research. The research is divided into two chapters. The first looks at repertoire circulation, where we have traced an overview of the 20th and 21st centuries: there is a literature review of ten works that approach arrangement\'s production, among them Fernandes (2003), Souza (2003), Pereira (2006) and Moura (2012). The term \'popular\' and the concept of \'choral arrangement\' are discussed and the concert programs of Choral encounters are analyzed (1984-1994). In the second chapter, the purpose was to define the conductor-arranger\'s profile, by using the prosopographical method (STONE, 2011; and PAZ, 2014). Three conductor-arrangers contributed in semi-structured and open interviews, among them are Eduardo Fernandes, Marcelo Recski and Roberto Rodrigues, in order to obtain more detailed and complete information. Such interviews were the only way of coming to understand practical issues on composition and interpretation of arrangements, besides specific issues of some of the arrangements, that other methodologies were not able to approach. Regarding the practices of the conductor-arranger, the following subjects were analyzed: the repertoire as a group identity factor, the hybridization processes in arrangements (CANCLINI, 2003; e BURKE, 2003); arrangement\'s adaptations, writing rules and strategies, reading and interpretation of choral arrangements based on the concept of interpretative community (OLIVEIRA, 2002). As a result, it was verified that the number of arrangements prevail compositions in the analyzed programs, and that the conductor-arranger is the main producer of those arrangements. Based on the concept of interpretative community, we can conclude that choral arrangement scores are generally open scores, prone to additions, cuts and other changes. The interviews made possible to identify reading practices and shared use by Brazilian choral conductors who are responsible for the arrangements circulation, referring to dynamics, tempo, breathings, chord symbols, rhythms, among others.

Este trabalho teve como objetivos analisar o conjunto de arranjos corais elaborados pelo maestro Samuel Kerr e estabelecer possíveis ligações entre sua produção e sua trajetória artística. Para isso, apresentamos um texto biográfico originado a partir da pesquisa bibliográfica e notamos necessária uma entrevista com o maestro que visou apurar os caminhos condutores de sua escrita coral. Em seguida elencamos e exemplificamos os quatorze procedimentos encontrados recorrentemente durante o processo de análise de um conjunto de cento e noventa e nove arranjos. Por fim, escolhemos cinco arranjos representativos do conjunto para uma análise mais detalhada, realizada através do Referencial Silva Ramos, processo que nos possibilitou enxergar com clareza a aplicação dos procedimentos. Durante a dissertação buscamos relacionar a quantificação de aplicação dos procedimentos de escrita ao pensamento criativo e pedagógico que identificamos na pesquisa e evidenciamos na maior parte das análises. / The purposes of this study were to analyze the set of choral arrangements elaborated by the conductor Samuel Kerr and establish possible connections between his production and his artistic career. Thereunto, we presented a biographical text originated from bibliographic research, and we realized that an interview with the conductor was needed to raise his background which led to his choral writing. Afterwards, we listed and exemplified the fourteen procedures recurrently found during the process analysis of a set of one hundred and ninety nine arrangements. At last, we choose five representatives arrangements from the set for a further detailed analysis, performed by Silva Ramos Benchmark, process that allowed us to understand clearly the application of the procedures. Throughout the dissertation we pursue to relate the quantification of the application of procedures writing to creative thinking and pedagogical research that we have identified in the research and we have evidenced in most analyzes.

Coral reef ecosystems are the most diverse on earth, and their subsistence is being threatened by natural and adverse anthropogenic patterns and processes. In an effort to understand and protect these marine environments, several programs have outlined strategies and initiatives. For example, the United States Coral Reef Task Force���s Mapping and Information Working Group has outlined a specific goal to map all coral reefs below 30 m depth by 2009. This study contributes to achieving that goal for three sites around the island of Tutuila, American Samoa, lying in the heart of the South Pacific. American Samoa, a U.S. territory, is home to the Fagatele Bay National Marine Sanctuary, the smallest and most remote in the United States, and to the National Park of American Samoa. Extensive modern scientific surveys were implemented around the territory in 2001 and have since continued and increased. The presence of protected areas and the existence of scientific data collected with state of the art technology have made the site a priority for the Coral Reef Task Force. In this study, methods for classifying surficial seafloor characteristics as bathymetric position index (BPI) zones and structures were developed and applied to the study sites. BPI zones and structures were classified by using algorithms that combine high-resolution (1 m) multibeam bathymetry and its derivatives: bathymetric position index at multiple scales and slope. The development of algorithms and the classification scheme involved the use of historical and current classification studies and three-dimensional visualization. In addition, the BPI zones and structures were compared to limited biological, geological, and physical attributes recorded during accuracy assessment surveys (photos) and towed diver surveys (video). A rugosity (surface ratio) analysis was added to the study to give a picture of the seafloor roughness. The BPI zone and structure classifications overlap and extend existing classifications from Ikonos satellite imagery for water depths shallower than 30 m. Methods, data and classifications developed and applied in this study will be available to the public as a benthic habitat mapping tool (ArcGIS extension), in an online GIS data archive, and on a compact disc attached to this thesis. They contribute to a broader understanding of the marine and coastal environment and will serve as a baseline of information for benthic habitat mapping and future biological, ecological, and geological surveys. The baseline gives a good indication of characteristics that may indicate areas of high biodiversity. The final maps presented here are especially useful to managers, researchers and scientists that seek to establish and monitor a wider and more effective network of marine and coastal protection. / Graduation date: 2005

The objective of this study is to describe the effects of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) on the weather patterns in Queensland during the Australian summer monsoon. The focus is on the period from October-January when the summer monsoon is governing the weather pattern of Northern Australia. The theory part introduces the reader to the physics of the different phases of ENSO and the Australian summer monsoon. Weather station data of rainfall, minimum and maximum temperature data are investigated statistically. The presented results are an earlier onset of the monsoon season in Queensland during La Niña-events and a stronger monsoon in the sense of more or stronger active periods. Regarding El Niño's effects on the summer monsoon in Queensland no significant results were found. The results show the importance of not looking at the warm and cold phase of ENSO as opposites and agree with what Sarachik (2010) and Sturman & Tapper (1996) states. / Målet med studien är att beskriva El Niño-Southern Oscillations (ENSO) effekter på vädret i Queensland under den australiensiska sommarmonsunen. Fokus ligger på perioden oktober-januari då sommarmonsunen styr vädret över norra Australien. Teoridelen syftar till att introducera läsaren till fysiken bakom de olika faserna av ENSO och den australiensiska sommarmonsunen. Data från väderstationer i Queensland av parametrarna nederbörd, minimum och maximum temperatur undersöks statistiskt. Resultaten som presenteras indikerar en tidigare början av monsunsäsongen i Queensland under La Niña-perioder och att monsunen förstärks genom fler eller starkare aktiva perioder. I resultaten sågs ingen eller mycket svag påverkan från El Niño-perioder på monsunen i Queensland. Dessa resultat påvisar vikten av att inte se på den varma och kalla fasen av ENSO som motsatser till varandra och stämmer överens med litteratur av Sarachik (2010) och Sturman & Tapper (1996).

Coral communities have begun to form under small inlet-style bridges along the causeway connecting Cayo Coco to Cayo Guillermo. To understand how these bridge-reefs formed and characterize their attributes relative to surrounding communities, a combination of ecological observations and 13C isotopes were analyzed from the bridges and surrounding reefs, mangrove channels and seagrass patches. Hierarchical Cluster Analysis, Detrended Correspondence Analysis and Canonical Correspondence Analysis were carried out to group which physical attributes contributed to the coral communities in the bridge-reefs and also which habitats they were most similar to, with respect to coral and benthic composition. Bridge reef coral assemblages resembled shallow patch reefs and mangrove channels, while benthic coverage was similar to mangrove channels. Organic matter was from combined seagrass and mangrove sources, with mangrove dominating in some regions more than others. This work demonstrates that habitats within the seascape are inter-related through varying mechanisms and development is multi-dimensional.

This geostrophic current-controlled Zululand/Natal shelf displays a unique assemblage of interesting physical, sedimentological and biological phenomena. The shelf in this area is extremely narrow compared to the global average of 75km, and is characterised by submarine canyons, coral reefs, and steep gradients on the continental slope. A shelf break occurs 2.1km to 4.1km offshore and the shelf can be divided into a northern region and a southern region based on the presence or absence of a defined shelf break. The southern shelf has a poorly-defined shelf break whilst the northern shelf has a well-defined break at -65m. The poor definition of the shelf break on the southern shelf can possibly be attributed to the presence of giant, climbing sand dunes offshore of Jesser Point at depths of -37m to -60m. The northern shelf has a series of coast-parallel oriented patch coral reefs which have colonised carbonate-cemented, coastal-facies sequences. The northern shelf can be divided into three distinct zones: inner-, mid-, and outer-shelf zones. The inner-shelf is defined as the area landward of the general coral reef trend, with depths varying from 0m to -I5m and having an average gradient of 1.1. The mid-shelf is defined by the general coral reef trend, varying from -9m over the shallow central axis of the reefs to -35m along the deep reef-front environments. The outer-shelf is seaward of the coral reefs and occurs at a depth range of -35m to - 65m. Gradients vary from 1° in the south to 2.5° in the northern part of the study area, and are steep compared to world average shelf gradient of 0.116°. Four submarine canyons occur in the study area and are classified as mature- or youthful-phase canyons depending on the degree to which they breach the shelf. The origin of these canyons is not related to the position of modern river mouths but can probably be linked to palaeo-outlets of the Pongola and Mkuze River systems. It is suggested that the canyons are mass-wasting features which were exploited by palaeo-drainage during regressions. The youthful-phase canyons appear to be mass-wasting features associated with an unstable, rapidly-deposited, progradational late Pliocene sequence and a steep upper continental slope. The mature-phase canyons were probably initiated by mass-wasting but have advanced shoreward, breaching the shelf, due to their link with the palaeo-outlets of the Pongola and Mkuze Rivers during late Pleistocene regressions. Evidence of modem canyon growth has been noted on numerous SCUBA diving surveys carried out on the canyon heads. These take the form of minor wall slumps and small-scale debris flows. The canyons are also supplied with large quantities of sand in the form of large-scale shelf subaqueous dunes generated and transported by the Agulhas Current. As these bedforms meet the canyons the sediment cascades down the canyon thalweg and causes erosion and downcutting of the canyon walls and floor thereby increasing the canyon dimensions. Late Pleistocene beachrock and aeolianite outcrops with or without an Indo-Pacific coral reef veneer are the dominant consolidated lithology on the shelf. These submerged, coast-parallel, carbonate cemented, coastal facies extend semi-continuously from -5m to -95m, and delineate late Pleistocene palaeocoastline events. The rock fabric of these high primary porosity lithologies shows grains floating in a carbonate cement with occasional point-contacts. Grains are mostly quartz (80-90%), minor K-feldspar and plagioclase (5-10%), and various lithic fragments. The rocks contain conspicuous organic grains including foraminifera, bivalve, echinoid, bryozoan, red algal, and occasional sponge spicule fragments; these commonly display replacement fabrics or iron-stained rims. The dominant sedimentary structures found in these sandstone outcrops include high-angle planar cross-bedding and primary depositional dip bedding. Palaeocurrent directions sngest a palaeoenvironment dominated by a combination of longitudinal and transverse dunes with wind directions similar to those observed forming the modem dune systems. Erosional features evident on the submerged beachrocks and aeolianites include gullies trending in two different directions and sea-level planation surfaces with or without the presence of potholes. The unconsolidated sediment on the shelf is either shelf sand, composed mainly of terrigenous quartz grains; or bioclastic sediment which is partially derived from biogenic sources. The quartzose sand from the inner-shelf is generally fine-grained, moderately- to well-sorted, and coarsely- to near symmetrically-skewed. Carbonate content is low, and varies between 4-13%. Quartzose sand from the outer-shelf is fine-grained, moderately- to well-sorted, and coarsely- to very coarsely-skewed. The inner-shelf quartzose sand is better sorted than the outer-shelf sand due to increased reworking of this sediment by the high-energy swell regime. Sediment from the shallower areas of the outer-shelf (< -50m) is better sorted than sediment from depths of greater than -50m. Generally wave-reworking of quartzose shelf sand from the Sodwana Bay shelf results in greater sediment maturity than that observed from geostrophic current effects or a combination of geostrophic and wave-reworking. This sediment was derived by reworking of aeolian and beach sediments, deposited on the shelf during the period leading up to the Last Glacial Maximum (15 000 - 18 000 years B.P.) when sea-level was -130m, during the Holocene (Flandrian) transgression. Bioclastic sediment on the Sodwana Bay shelf is defined as having a CaC03 content of greater than 20% and is a mixture of biogeoically-derived debris and quartzose sand. The distribution of bioclastic sediment in the study area is widespread, with reef-derived and outer-shelf-derived populations being evident. This sediment consists of skeletal detritus originating from the mechanical and biological destruction of carbonate-secreting organisms such as molluscs, foraminifera, alcyonaria, scleractinia, cirripedia, echinodermata, bryozoa, porifera. The reef-derived bioclastic population is confined to depths less than -40m in close proximity to reef areas, whereas the shelf-derived bioclastic population occurs at depths greater than -40m and is derived from carbonate-producing organisms on deep water reefs and soft-substrate environments on the shelf. Large-scale subaqueous dunes form in the unconsolidated sediment on the outer-shelf due to the Agulhas flow acting as a sediment conveyor. These dunes are a common feature on the Sodwana Bay shelf occurring as two distinct fields at depths of -35m to -70m, the major sediment transport direction being towards the south. The two dune fields, the inner- and outer subaqueous dune fields, are physically divided by Late Pleistocene beachrock and aeolianites ledges. A bedform hierarchy has been recognised. The larger, outer dune field appears to have originated as a system of climbing bedforms with three generations of bedforms being superimposed to form a giant bedform, while the inner dune field has a less complex construction. The largest bedforms are those of the outer dune field off Jesser Point, being up to 12 m high, 4 km long and 1.2 km wide. A major slip face, with a slope of 8° is present. Bedload parting zones exist where the bedform migration direction changes from south to north. Three bedload parting zones occur in the study area at depths of -60m, -47m and -45m; two in the inner dune field and one in the outer dune field. These zones are invariably located at the southern limits of large clockwise eddy systems. Such eddies appear to be the result of topographically induced vorticity changes in the geostrophic flow and/or the response to atmospheric forcing caused by coastal low-pressure system moving up the coastline. It has been demonstrated that the inner subaqueous dune sediment conveyor is not active all the time but only during periods . of increased current strength when the Agulhas Current meanders inshore. The smaller bedforms in the outer dune field undergo continuous transport due to the current velocity on the shelf edge outer dune field being higher than the velocity experienced on the inner dune field. The very large 2·D dune which forms the outer dune field is probably not active at present: this is inferred due to the shallow angle of the mega-crest lee slope (8°). The very large Sodwana Bay subaqueous dune fields may be compared with the very large, reconstructed, subaqueous dunes which occur in Lower Permian sediments of the Vryheid Formation, northern Natal. These Permian dunes are represented, in section, as a fine- to medium-grained distal facies sandstone with giant crossbeds. These large-scale bedforms are unidirectional, but rare directionally-reversed, climbing bedforms do occur, this directional reversal may be related to bedload parting zones. On the evidence presented in this thesis, it is proposed that these Permian subaqueous dunes may be ancient analogues of the modem subaqueous dune field on the Sodwana Bay shelf. Positive-relief hummocks and negative-relief swale structures are fairly common in the fine-grained, quartzose shelf sand at depths of -30m to -60m. These appear to be transitional bedforms related to the reworking by storms of medium 2-D subaqueous dunes. These hummocky structures may be the modem equivalent of hummocky cross-stratification noted in the geological record, and if so, they are probably the first to have ever been observed underwater. The occurrences of ladderback ripples on the Sodwana Bay shelf at depths of -4m to -17m, suggest that subtidal ladderback ripples may be more common than previously thought. Ladderback ripples are common features of tidal flats and beaches where they form by late-stage emergence run-off during the ebb tide. They are generally considered diagnostic of clastic intertidal environments. The mode of formation on the Sodwana Bay shelf is different from the classic late-stage emergence run-off model of intertidal occurrences, being a subtidal setting. Subaqueous observations indicate that ladderback ripples are not environment-specific, and that additional evidence of emergence is therefore necessary to support an intertidal setting in the rock record: ladderback ripples alone are insufficient to prove an intertidal environment. The coral patch reefs of the northern Natal coast are unique, being the most southerly reefs in Africa, and totally unspoilt. The Zululand reefs are formed by a thin veneer of Indo-Pacific type corals which have colonised submerged, late Pleistocene beachrocks and aeolianites. Two-Mile Reef at Sodwana Bay has been used to develop a physiograpbic and biological zoning model for Zululand coral reefs, which has been applied to other reefs in the region. Eight distinct zones can be recognised and differentiated on the basis of physiographic and biological characteristics. The reef fauna is dominated by an abundance of alcyonarian (soft) corals, which constitute 60-70% of the total coral fauna. The Two-Mile Reef zoning model has been successfully applied to larger reefs such as Red Sands Reef, and smaller patch reefs (Four-Mile and Seven-Mile Reefs) in the same general area. In this thesis extensive use has been made of Hutton's uniformitarian principles. Hutton's doctrine is particularly relevant to the study of depositional processes and relict shorelines. Coastal processes and weather patterns during the late Pleistocene were broadly similar to modem conditions enabling direct comparisons to be made. A computer-aided facies analysis model has been developed based on textural statistics and compositional features of carbonate-cemented coastal sandstones. Many attempts have been made to distinguish different ancient sedimentary depositional environments, most workers in this field having little success. The new method of facies reconstruction is based on: (1) underwater observations of sedimentary structures and general reef morphology; (2) a petrographic study of the reef-base enabling flve facies: aeolianite, backbeach, forebeach, swash, and welded bar facies to be recognised, which control the geomorphology of Two-Mile Reef; (3) cluster and discriminant analysis comparing graphic settling statistics of acid-leached reef-base samples with those of modem unconsolidated dune/beach environments. The results of this analysis demonstrated that the beachrocks and aeolianites on the shelf formed during a regression and that late Pleistocene coastal facies are similar to modem northern Zululand coastal environments, which have been differentiated into aeolian, backbeach, forebeach, swash, & welded bar. A late Pleistocene and Holocene history of the shelf shows that during the late Pleistocene, post Eemian regressions resulted in deposition and cementation of coast-parallel beachrocks and aeolianites, which define a series of four distinct palaeocoastline episodes with possible ages between 117 000 and 22 000 years B.P. The beachrock/aeolianites formed on the shelf during stillstands and slow regressions, and the gaps between these strandline episodes represent periods of accelerated sealevel regression or a minor transgressive phase which hindered deposition and cementation. The formation of these lithologies generated a considerable sediment sink in the nearshore zone. This reduced sediment supply and grain transport in the littoral zone during the Holocene, and probably enhanced landward movement of the shoreline during the Flandrian transgression. Prior to the Last Glacial Maximum, the beachrock/aeolianite sedimentary sequence was emergent and blanketed by shifting aeolian sands. The Pongola River, which flowed into Lake Sibaya, reworked the unconsolidated sediments on the shelf, and exploited the route of least resistance: along White Sands and Wright Canyon axes. The erosion resulting from fluvial denudation in Wright Canyon has caused this canyon to erode some of the beachrock/aeolianite outcrops which form palaeocoastline episode 2 and entrench the canyon to a deeper level; this eroded the shelf to a distance of 2km offshore. During the Flandrian transgression the unconsolidated sediment cover was eroded, exposing and submerging the beachrock/aeolianite sequence. Flandrian stillstands caused erosional features such as wave-planed terraces, potholes, and gullies to be incised into beachrock and aeolianite outcrops; these are seen at present depths of -47m, -32m, .26m, -22m, -17m to -15m, and -12m. High energy sediment transfers, in an onshore direction, resulted in the deposition of sand bars across the outlet of Lake Slbaya's estuary and the development of a 130m + coastal dune barrier on a pre-existlng, remnant Plelstocene dune stub. Sea-level stabilised at its present level 7 000-6 000 years B.P. and coral reef growth on the beachrock/aeolianite outcrops probably started at 5 000 years B.P. A minimum age for the formation of the northern Zululand coral reefs has been established at 3780 ± 60 years B.P. A mid Holocene transgression relating to the Climatic Optimum deposited a + 2m raised beach rock sequence. This transgression eroded the coastal dune barrier and caused a landward shoreline translation of approximately 40m. A minor transgression such as this can be used as a model for coastal erosion which will result from the predicted 1.5m rise in sea-level over the next century. This rise in sea-level could result in a 30m landward coastline translation of the present coastline, ignoring the influence that storms and cyclones will have on the coastline configuration. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of Natal, Durban, 1991.

Coral recruitment is a key process that contributes to the community structure and resilience of coral reefs. As such, quantification of this process is important to assist with the management of these threatened ecosystems. While coral recruitment has been the focus of numerous studies over the past 30 years, an understanding of this process on the high-latitude reefs of South Africa is limited. In addition, variations in methods used in recruitment studies make the results difficult to compare. A rapid in-situ method for universal application in the detection of early post-settled recruits would thus be useful. In this study, scleractinian coral recruitment was investigated at three study sites on Two-mile Reef, over two six-month sampling periods, covering summer and winter. Two components were investigated by attaching settlement tiles consisting of ceramic and marble tiles, and ceramic tiles conditioned with crustose coralline algae (CCA) onto the reef in a spatially structured experimental design. Firstly, coral recruitment was compared on the three different tile surfaces and fluorescence photography was investigated as a rapid in situ technique to detect early post-settled recruits. Fluorescence photography was then used to compare recruitment on tiles with the surrounding natural substrata. Secondly, the spatial and temporal variation in the abundance, composition and size of recruits was investigated. Additionally, the percentage cover of biota surrounding each recruit within three millimeters of its corallum was visually estimated to quantify the microhabitat surroundings of coral recruits. Overall recruitment on the three tile types differed, yet spatial variation in coral recruitment, regardless of tile surface, accounted for most of the variance in recruitment. While the highest recruitment occurred on CCA tiles, this was not significantly greater than ceramic tiles, indicating that the conditioning of ceramic tiles with Mesophyllum funafutiense CCA did not enhance coral settlement in this study. Although many recruits were not detected with fluorescent photography (73%), it proved useful to reveal recruits as small as 0.75 mm in corallum diameter, and indicated that recruitment on the tiles and natural substratum differ significantly. Spatially, the abundance and composition of coral recruits differed between study sites, within sites, and predominantly occurred on tile edges. Coral recruitment was lowest at shallower sites, and was dominated by pocilloporids regardless of study site. Additionally, the abundance and composition of recruits differed between the two sampling periods, with a 6.6-fold decrease in the mean abundance of recruits from summer to winter, with only pocilloporid settlement occurring in the latter season. The majority of recruits were <3 mm, and their microhabitat was dominated by bare substrata and crustose coralline algae. The results suggest that, while the choice of artificial settlement surface used in such studies can have a profound influence on the results, spatial variation in recruitment can be greater. The recovery of scleractinian coral taxa on Two-mile Reef in the event of a severe disturbance is expected to differ, with greatest recovery in areas of high levels of recruitment. The microhabitat surrounding recruits is described here for the first time, suggesting that further research into coral-crustose coralline algae interactions is warranted. Finally, while fluorescence photography has its limitations, it shows promise as a useful tool for rapid qualitative, but not quantitative, assessment of recruitment. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, 2011.