You are here: Home › Stressors › Pollution ›
Contaminants and Coral Health in Southwest Puerto Rico
Contaminants and Coral Health in Southwest Puerto Rico
Abstract
Pollution is one of the major threats to coral habitat, contributing a variety of contaminants including petroleum hydrocarbons, metals, pesticides, nutrients and sediments, all of which can impact coral reef organisms. While pollution is frequently cited as a cause of reef degradation, the concentration of pollutants present in and around coral reefs is not well characterized, and even less is known regarding linkages that may exist between pollutant concentrations and overall coral health. To investigate contaminant impacts on coral health, a two-year pilot project is being conducted in southwest Puerto Rico. The project will result in a characterization of chemical contamination in the reefs, and will also provide a “proof of concept” for integrating information on coral biomarkers, coral pathogens, land use, and biogeography as a way of identifying linkages between anthropogenic stressors and coral health. If the pilot is successful, the framework will be tested throughout the U.S. Caribbean.
Objectives
This study directly addresses the Puerto Rico Local Action Strategy (LAS) developed by Puerto Rico’s Coastal Zone Management. The LAS contains a series of recommended actions to conserve and enhance Puerto Rico’s coral reefs, and land-based sources of pollution are identified as a focus area for priority action.The objectives of this study are to: 1) characterize chemical contamination in sediments and coral tissues; 2) characterize a series of molecular coral biomarkers, and a number of bacterial pathogens that have been associated with coral disease; 3) assess existing information on coral cover (biogeography) and land use; 4) determine if linkages exist between contaminants and coral health; and 5) develop a framework that can be applied to other coral reef ecosystems. The study site for this project is a marine managed area (MMA) and is one of three Coral Reef Ecosystem Study (CRES) sites in the Caribbean. Data generated from this pilot project will enhance the overall characterization and management of the area.
Time Frame
Ongoing.
For More Information
Tony Pait
1305 East West Highway
SSMC-IV, N/SCI-1
Silver Spring, MD 20910
301-713-3028 x158