sewage slush in coral reefs · sewage slush in coral reefs sewage generates algal bloom which can...
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SEWAGE SLUSH IN CORAL REEFS
CORAL REEFS IN TOBAGO:
In Trinidad and Tobago, resides some of
the world’s most beautiful and largest
brain corals in the world, located in our
very own Speyside Coral Reef, and
Buccoo Reef in Tobago. Coral reefs
play a very important role in Tobago’s
economy, generating money through the
tourism industry and saving money by
protecting its coastlines from the impact
of waves and erosion. Therefore, it is
very important to conserve and preserve
our reefs from various threats such as
the improper disposal of untreated
sewage into the sea.
EFFECTS OF SEWAGE ON
CORAL REEFS
Algal Growth- the abundance of nutrients found in
sewage generates algal bloom which can smother
corals causing them to be stressed and die.
Picture of algal bloom in coral reefs. Retrieved from "Coral Reef By Zoe Kehs" 2016
Increased levels of Bacteria– Bacteria limits the
availability of dissolved oxygen in the water for corals,
which can cause them to become stressed and die.
Increased Heavy Metals Levels- heavy metals found in
sewage waste, such as mercury and lead can cause an
increase in coral bleaching and death.
Picture of a bleached coral located in Speyside Reef, Tobago. Retrieved from Downs 2016
Increased Pathogen Levels- According to Wear and
Thurber 2016, pathogens found in untreated sewage
waste can infect corals found in the Caribbean with
diseases such as white pox disease.
Increased Fresh Water Levels- fresh water is a
primary component of sewage waste, which directly
causes corals to be bleached.
Graph showing one of the effects of improper sewage disposal, i.e the number of
different species of algae against coral cover percentage(%). Retrieved from D. et al. 2016
WAYS TO REDUCE THE EFFECTS OF SEWAGE
WASTE ON CORAL REEFS
1) “Re-routing waste outfalls that drain into the Bon Accord
lagoon,” is a viable solution to reduce the impact of sewage on
coral reefs according to, "Tobago: A Sustainable Future For
Buccoo Reef | World Resources Institute" 2016,
2) The production of a wastewater treatment plant in southwest
Tobago would lessen the effects of sewage on the Buccoo Reef.
3) Implement and upkeep laws with stricter punishment and higher
fines for persons who run pipes with their untreated sewage into
the ocean.
Picture of Tobago’s coral reef. Retrieved from “Trinidad And Tobago"
REFERENCES: -"Coral Reef By Zoe Kehs". 2016. Thinglink.Com.
https://www.thinglink.com/
scene/713447085059342336.
-D., Jos, Linda M., Julio A., Victor F., Hector Reyes-
Bonilla, and Amlcar L. 2016. "Conservation And Sus-
tainability Of Mexican Caribbean Coral Reefs And The
Threats Of A Human-Induced Phase-Shift".
-Downs, Marty. 2016. "When Life Depends On Corals,
What Marks The Most Promising Reef?". Cool Green
Science. http://blog.nature.org/science/2014/01/15/
quick-study-when-life-depends-on-corals-what-marks-
the-most-promising-reef/.
-"Tobago: A Sustainable Future For Buccoo Reef |
World Resources Institute". 2016. Wri.Org. http://
www.wri.org/tobago-sustainable-future-buccoo-reef.
-"Trinidad And Tobago". 2016. Climateandreefs. http://
climateandreefs.org/trinidad-and-tobago/.
-Wear, Stephanie L. and Rebecca Vega Thurber. 2016.
"Sewage Pollution: Mitigation Is Key For Coral Reef
Stewardship".
-"What’S Going On With Our Country’S Sewage Sys-
tem?". 2016. OSH Matters. https://
oshmatters.wordpress.com/2015/10/06/sewage-
hazards/.
Picture showing improper disposal of
sewage. Retrieved from, "What’S Going On With Our
Country’S Sewage System?" 2016
BRITTANY GANPATH,
Department of Life Sciences,
The University of the West Indies,
St Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago
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