Effects of fine particle sediment on Scleractinian Corals of Florida
Citation:
Jones, Y. Effects of fine particle sediment on Scleractinian Corals of Florida. ORISE Ignite Off! Competition 2022, NA, FL, July 20, 2022.
Impact/Purpose:
With numerous dredging activities planned in the State of Florida, there is an urgent need for better characterization and understanding of the effects of fine-grain sediment generated from dredging activities. Effects on coral survival and growth will be measured and sediment characteristics documented. The results will provide potential water quality standard development for dredging activities. The project will offer better guidance for coral monitoring and mitigation in the upcoming dredging activities in Florida and other coastal zones world-wide.
Description:
Coral reefs across the state of Florida have declined dramatically in the last 30 years. The causes of decline include warming coastal waters, intermittent cold water upwellings, disease and watershed stressors, which include excess nutrients, contaminants and sediments. Because of recent coral losses linked to dredging activities in Florida, there is an urgent need for better characterization and understanding of sediment effects. This project will examine, in a laboratory setting, the effects of fine-grain sediments, such as those suspended through dredging activities, on selected Florida coral species. Effects on coral survival, growth and calcification will be measured and sediment characteristics documented, including grain-size composition, organic content, and chemical analysis. The results of this project will better guide coral monitoring and mitigation in the upcoming dredging activities in Florida and other coastal zones world-wide. The results will also be useful to potential water quality standard development for US States and Territories.