Effects of tourism-derived sewage on coral reefs
| Autor: | David M. Baker, Zainudin Bachok, Che Din Mohd Safuan, Nicolas C. Ory, Liam Lachs, Nicolas N. Duprey, Kentaro Tanaka, Dung Quang Le, Nur Arbaeen Mohd Johari, Tan Chun Hong, Marc Kochzius, Kotaro Shirai |
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| Přispěvatelé: | Faculty of Sciences and Bioengineering Sciences, Biology, Ecology and Systematics |
| Jazyk: | angličtina |
| Rok vydání: | 2019 |
| Předmět: |
0106 biological sciences
Geologic Sediments Geologic Sediments/chemistry Coral Sewage Carbon Isotopes/analysis 010501 environmental sciences Aquatic Science Oceanography 01 natural sciences Nitrogen Isotopes/analysis Anthozoa/chemistry Acropora Animals Drupella Sinularia Sewage/chemistry Reef 0105 earth and related environmental sciences geography Carbon Isotopes geography.geographical_feature_category Water Pollutants Chemical/analysis biology Nitrogen Isotopes Environmental Biomarkers Ecology business.industry Coral Reefs 010604 marine biology & hydrobiology Environmental monitoring Coral reef biology.organism_classification Anthozoa Pollution Environmental science Sewage treatment business Water Pollutants Chemical |
| Popis: | Pulau Redang and Pulau Tioman have experienced huge tourism growth over the last two decades, but minimal sewage treatment may threaten the resilience of their coral reefs. This study uses stable isotope techniques to identify suitable bioindicators of sewage nutrients (δ15N) at these islands by measuring macroalgae (Lobophora spp.), gastropods (Drupella spp.), scleractinian coral (Acropora spp.), and leather coral (Sinularia spp.). At tourist hubs using seepage septic tank systems, enrichment of Acropora δ15N (Redang, +0.7‰) and Sinularia δ15N (Tioman, +0.4‰) compared to pristine background levels indicate enhanced sewage nutrient discharge. Carbon isotopes and survey data suggest that sedimentation did not confound these δ15N trends. Potential damaging effects of sewage discharge on the coral reef communities at both islands are highlighted by strong correlations between Acropora δ15N and regional variation in coral reef community structure, and exclusive occurrence of degraded reefs at regions of high sewage influence. |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
| Externí odkaz: |
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