Sediment: Difference between revisions
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= Sediment Overload = | = Sediment Overload = | ||
Sedimentation caused by human or natural activities can have drastic effects on corals and will probably lead to catastrophic results on them. The Status of Coral Reefs of the World (2004) report states that sediment run-off is the major stressor to reefs in Hawaii, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands, while the Coral Reefs of the USA (2008) and The State of Coral Reef Ecosystem of the United States and Pacific Freely Associated States (2008) reports point out that sediment run-off is also one of the most serious stressor affecting coral reefs in American Samoa, Puerto Rico, and US Virgin Islands [1]. Sedimentation and some other type of pollution including excessive nutrients, toxins and pathogens are all examples of the land-based sources of pollution, which puts 22 percent of coral reefs on Earth at risk [2]. As a result, it is important to understand how sediment overload can damage the corals. | |||
== Sources of Sediments == | == Sources of Sediments == | ||
Agriculture | Agriculture | ||
Revision as of 01:42, 16 April 2014
Sediment Overload
Sedimentation caused by human or natural activities can have drastic effects on corals and will probably lead to catastrophic results on them. The Status of Coral Reefs of the World (2004) report states that sediment run-off is the major stressor to reefs in Hawaii, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands, while the Coral Reefs of the USA (2008) and The State of Coral Reef Ecosystem of the United States and Pacific Freely Associated States (2008) reports point out that sediment run-off is also one of the most serious stressor affecting coral reefs in American Samoa, Puerto Rico, and US Virgin Islands [1]. Sedimentation and some other type of pollution including excessive nutrients, toxins and pathogens are all examples of the land-based sources of pollution, which puts 22 percent of coral reefs on Earth at risk [2]. As a result, it is important to understand how sediment overload can damage the corals.
Sources of Sediments
Agriculture Other forms of soil erosion
Effects of Sediments
Screening out light needed for photosynthesis.
Loss of suitable substrate for juvenile coral.
Complete smothering of corals.
Eutrophication.
Toxic pesticides kill coral.
Measures to Take
References
Burke L., Maidens J. Reefs at Risk in the Caribbean. 2004. World Resources Institute: Washington, DC. CORAL REEF SEDIMENTOLOGY: http://www.kmec.uhh.hawaii.edu/QUESTInfo/reefsEDM.pdf Rogers C.Responses of coral reefs and reef organisms to sedimentation. MARINE ECOLOGY PROGRESS SERIES. Vol. 62: 185-202, 1990