Link between sewage-derived nitrogen pollution and coral disease severity in Guam |
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| Authors: | Jamey E Redding Roxanna L Myers-Miller David M Baker Marilyn Fogel Laurie J Raymundo Kiho Kim |
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| Institution: | 1. Department of Environmental Science, American University, 4400 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC 20016, USA;2. University of Guam Marine Laboratory, UOG Station, Mangilao, GU 96923, USA;3. Geophysical Laboratory, Carnegie Institution of Washington, 5251 Broad Branch Road NW, Washington, DC 20015, USA |
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| Abstract: | The goals of this study were to evaluate the contribution of sewage-derived N to reef flat communities in Guam and to assess the impact of N inputs on coral disease. We used stable isotope analysis of macroalgae and a soft coral, sampled bimonthly, as a proxy for N dynamics, and surveyed Porites spp., a dominant coral taxon on Guam’s reefs, for white syndrome disease severity. Results showed a strong influence of sewage-derived N in nearshore waters, with δ15N values varying as a function of species sampled, site, and sampling date. Increases in sewage-derived N correlated significantly with increases in the severity of disease among Porites spp., with δ15N values accounting for more than 48% of the variation in changes in disease severity. The anticipated military realignment and related population increase in Guam are expected to lead to increased white syndrome infections and other coral diseases. |
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| Keywords: | Coral reefs Disease Nitrogen pollution Stable isotopes |
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