Effects of Pollution in Coral Reefs

Pollution is a primary cause of coral reefs. In the Caribbean, 80% of the ocean pollutes originate from activities on land. When pollution increases, the expand in coastal areas increase, resulting an increase of runoff from land.

Runoff often carries large quantities of sediment from land clearing. High level of nutrients from agricultural areas and sewage out flows. Pollutants such as petroleum products and pesticides these pollution will threaten the coral reefs health. Excess nutrients result in poor water quality, leading to decrease oxygen and increase nutrients in the water and it is known as euthrophication.

Euthrophication leads to enhanced algae growth on reefs, leading the corals to be overcrowded and significantly degrading the Ecosystem. Sediment deposited onto reefs may choke corals and interfere their ability to feed and reproduce. On the other hand, pesticides interfere with corals reproduction and growth. Sewage discharge and runoff may also introduce pathogens, an agent that causes diseases, especially a living micro - organism such as bacterium or fungus.

Examples of the pathogens introduced into the coral reefs Ecosystem. ie, aspergillus sydowii and serratia marcescens. Aspergillus sydowii has been associated with a disease in sea fans. Serratia marcescens has been associated with white pox, another coral disease.