Cuet,-P.; Naim,-O.; Faure,-G.; Conan,-J.-Y.  Nutrient-rich 
	groundwater impact on benthic communities of La Saline 
	fringing reef (Reunion Island, Indian Ocean):  
	Preliminary results.  PROCEEDINGS-OF-THE-SIXTH-
	INTERNATIONAL-CORAL-REEF-SYMPOSIUM,-TOWNSVILLE,-
	AUSTRALIA,-8th-12th-AUGUST-1988.-VOLUME-2:-CONTRIBUTED-
	PAPERS-MINI-SYMPOSIUM-1-TO-10-14. Choat,-J.H.;Barnes,-
	D.;Borowitzka,-M.A.;Coll,-J.C.;Davies,-P.J.;et-al.-eds.. 
	1988. pp. 207-212.

On La Saline Reef, fleshy algae facies have been observed to 
outcompete the flourishing coral communities recorded in the 
1970's. Consequently, submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) 
has been supposed to enrich lagoonal waters in nutrients. 
Good agreement between 2 maps, respectively corresponding to 
freshwater and benthic communities distributional patterns, 
gives strong evidence that a relationship exists between SGD 
extension and degradation of La Saline coral communities. As 
freshwater is likely to provide N-enrichment to reefal 
waters, as shown by the linear relationship existing between 
NO sub(3) super(-) and reactive silicate, possible influence 
of PO sub(4) super(3-) high concentrations (up to 0.6  mu M) 
is discussed. Relevant bioerosion effects and undergrazing 
are noticed. Bleaching events and eventual impact of low tide 
phases are mentioned.