![]() Most measures for the protection of coral reef aim to minimise the levels of sedimentation and turbidity. Fortunately, there are a number of well-established techniques to minimise or even remove impacts of dredging. Inevitably, and no matter how small the risks are, impacts to coral health may be predicted by coral mapping and dredge plume modelling. Once the prevalence and value of coral has been established, forecasts on the impact of dredging can be explored using a mathematical model (known as dredge plume modelling) which simulate the transport and deposition of suspended sediment. This is often conducted by a marine environmental baseline survey conducted through diving, drop down camera, remote operated vehicle operation or remote sensing. This, coupled with the blocking of photosynthetically active sunlight is also likely to kill newly settled coral recruits and other benthic organisms.īleached and live brain corals Protection of Coral Reef from DredgingĪ critical first step in the protection of coral is the establishment of its prevalence within the vicinity of dredging. ![]() Larval settlement also is directly impacted by sedimentation as a result of a reduction in available recruitment space. The process of dredging may release sediment and unwanted contaminants from deeper levels of the sea floor which leads to acidification and/or eutrophication (which is the enrichment of seawater leading to the rapid growth of algae). Sedimentation leads to an accumulation of rejected sediment which results in coral death due to the energetically costly process of removing sediment – corals become partially or completely buried. Ongoing sedimentation generates high sediment conditions for months to years which places a strain on corals biological functions (feeding and reproducing), exhausts their energy reserves, and hinders their adaptive responses. Smothering of Corals during dredging projects near Magnetic Island Central Great Barrier Reef Impacts of Sedimentation on Coral Reefs WKC Group’s team of marine experts has participated in the identification, classification, and protection of extensive areas of coral reef, a small selection of which is provided below. ![]() Stony corals also require tropical or subtropical temperatures, which exist in a band 30 degrees north to 30 degrees south of the equator. The symbiotic algae, called zooxanthellae, give the corals their colourful hues and provide them with a source of food. However, the reef-building corals are only found in shallow clear waters that provide light to the symbiotic algae that live within the corals tissue. There are three types of coral reefs – fringing reefs, barrier reefs, and atolls.Ĭorals can be found throughout the world’s oceans, in both shallow and deep water. Most coral reefs are built from stony corals, whose polyps (the soft body) cluster in groups, and reefs are formed by colonies of coral polyps that are held together by calcium carbonate. However, unlike sea anemones, corals secrete hard carbonate exoskeletons that support and protect. ![]() Source: The Nature Conservancy What Are Coral Reefs?Ĭoral reefs belong to the class Anthozoa in the animal Phylum Cnidaria, which includes sea anemones and jellyfish. Approximately half a billion people depend on the coral reef ecosystems for coastal protection, a source of food and income from tourism and fisheries. Coral reefs are a vital part of the marine ecosystem that provides habitat for approximately 25% of all marine life and over 4,000 species of fish, despite only covering 1% of the ocean floor. They are among the most diverse and productive ecosystems found on the planet. Environmental Impacts of Dredging on Coral ReefsĬoral reefs are known to be the “ rainforests of the ocean“. ![]()
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