1. Detection and impact of sewage pollution on South Kohala's coral reefs, Hawai'i.
- Author
-
Aguiar DK, Wiegner TN, Colbert SL, Burns J, Abaya L, Beets J, Couch C, Stewart J, Panelo J, Remple K, and Nelson C
- Subjects
- Animals, Sewage analysis, Hawaii, Water Quality, Coral Reefs, Anthozoa
- Abstract
Sewage pollution from on-site sewage disposal systems and injection wells is impacting coral reefs worldwide. Our study documented the presence and impact of sewage on South Kohala's coral reefs, on Hawai'i Island, through benthic water quality and macroalgal sampling (fecal indicator bacteria, nutrients, δ
15 N macroalgal tissue), NO3 - stable isotope mixing models, water motion measurements, and coral reef surveys. Sewage pollution was moderate on the offshore reef from benthic seeps, and water motion mixed and diluted it across the benthos. These conditions likely contribute to the dominance of turf algae cover, and the severity and prevalence of growth anomalies and algal overgrowth on corals. Use of multiple indicators and studying water motion was necessary to assess sewage pollution and identify environmental drivers associated with impaired coral health conditions. Methods used in this study can be utilized by natural resource managers to identify and reduce anthropogenic stressors to coral reefs., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)- Published
- 2023
- Full Text
- View/download PDF