Lark Coral Reef Essay

The play Away by Michael Gow shoes the character of Coral to be in need of change in her distinctive world. Discuss how this applies to the play.

Consisting of less than 1% of the world oceans, the coral reefs are ancient animals comprising of thin calcium carbonate deposits within the photic layer. Aside from its biologically diverse ecosystems, coral reefs are major source of food for millions and provides habitats and nursery areas for many marine organisms. Coral reefs also act as a physical buffer to protect the coastlines from tropical storms and erosion. In addition, many local communities rely on coral reefs to generate an income through activities such as fishing and diving. However, 75% of the coral reefs are under threat from induced impacts of humans and climate change (Burke, et al., 2011). This essay looks at the human impacts constantly being inflicted on coral reefs.

Marine pollution is not a new phenomenon, but our acknowledgement of its impacts and severity is relatively new, with the first laws and discussions to counter it only appearing in the 1950’s. For much of history, it was thought that the oceans were so large that any pollution created would be negligible and easily diluted (Marine Pollution). Since, countless research and laws have been implemented in order to preserve our marine ecosystems because of how crucial these ecosystems are to humanity.

Furthermore, extraction of building materials such as sand affects coral reefs, mangroves, and hinterland forests, leading to erosion and destruction of habitats. Overbuilding and extensive paving of shorelines can result in destruction of habitats and disruption of land-sea connections such as sea-turtle nesting spots. Coral reefs are especially fragile marine ecosystems and are suffering worldwide from reef-based tourism developments. Evidence suggests a variety of impacts to coastline ecosystems result from shoreline development, increased sediments in the water, trampling by tourists and divers, ship groundings, pollution from sewage, overfishing, and fishing with poisons and explosives that destroy coral

New Bedford Harbor, the world’s famous whaling seaport and current number one fishing port in America, continues to be plagued by toxic pollution, which has caused it to become one of the largest EPA Superfund cleanup sites. The harbor, an urban estuary, contains sediment that is highly contaminated by polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). The PCB-containing industrial waste was introduced into the harbor by two manufacturing facilities from the 1940’s to the 1970’s when the EPA banned the production of PCBs. The result was contamination of six miles of the harbor bottom from the Acushnet River into Buzzards Bay; over 100,000 people currently reside within 3 miles of the contaminated area. PCBs do not break down easily in the environment and therefore pose a serious risk to human health and the environment. Thus, in 1982, the harbor was put onto the EPA’s National Priorities

Pollution is a major threat to the Great Barrier Reef. Not only does it slow down coral growth and reproduction, but also lowers water quality and

In 2002, a deceased female orca was discovered on Dungeness Spit in Washington. The dead orca contained 1000 parts per million (ppm) PCBs, an estimated six times more than the average Pacific Northwest orca (1). PCBs, or polychlorinated biphenyls, are a type of manufactured chemical. Their use was predominantly within electrical equipment, acting as coolants or lubricants, along with being used in paints, cement, or other common material (2). Such chemicals are a large issue in the PNW, despite being banned decades ago.

When we look at the fish along the Strait we seem to see the same results. In a study done on Toxic Contaminants in Dungeness Crab (2014), they found mercury and PCB’s or Polychlorinated Biphenyls in multiple different species of fish, two of the species being Chinook and Coho, which is consumed by community’s along the Sound (Carey, Niewolny, Lanksbury & West). PCB’s were used for electrical equipment in the past. The manufacturing of PCB’s was stopped in 1977. However, there is evidence that shows PCB builds up in the environment ("PCBs"). This shows the impact waste can have decades after it has been mitigated, and why it is important to stop any further damage.

Coral reef ecosystems around the globe are threatened by human interferences and climate change. This has led to many scientists conducting studies on global coral reef ecosystems to gain a better understanding of the cause and effects of coral reef damage. In both Hodgson’s (1999) and Carpenter et al.’s (2008) studies, they are aware of the continuous degradation of global coral reef ecosystems. Hodgson's study involved conducting a survey on global coral reef ecosystems to see whether human actions were affecting the health of supposed pristine Coral reefs. Carpenter et al. incorporated Hodgson’s study into a compiled study about the possible extinction of reef building corals due to climate change and anthropogenic effects. Carpenter’s

In order to flourish, corals need clear, salty water that is low in nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus. The pollution from the land enters into rivers and oceans that lead into the Great Barrier Reef. Materials such as dirt, sand, and mud which enters the rivers, oceans, and other body of waters that will be affect the Great Barrier Reef region. Other material dumped at sea includes metals, glass, plastics, wood, chemicals and nuclear waste. It is estimated that about seven billion tonnes of litter is put into the oceans every year. Over half of this is in various forms

Alps, Diane Final Essay June 10, 2018 Saving the ocean by protecting a simple, single-celled hitchhiker Thesis Statement: The symbiotic relationship between stony corals and algae is a direct indicator of coral bleaching, which is a result of unfavorable oceanographic conditions, such as increasing ocean temperature and pollution. Coral reefs are rich biodiverse habitats, providing numerous human and ecosystem benefits.

Some locations, such as U.S. Virgin Islands and Hawaii, have concentrations of oxybenzone much higher than the quantities tested on corals, where other locations have much lower or even undetectable amounts (Downs, 2013). There are still many uncertainties about oxybenzone, for example if certain coral species are more sensitive to it than others or if it effects spawning and brooding corals differently. More detailed research regarding toxicological impacts of oxybenzone on corals is imperative for determining what actions are necessary to protect coral health. For now, a critical first step to minimizing the potential impacts includes informing the public about the environmental consequences of sunscreen use and suggesting alternate forms of UV protection such as rash guards, wetsuits, or sun protective clothing (McCoshum, 2016). If additional research substantiates these concerns, there may come a point for extensive and costly policies to manage the quantity of oxybenzone released into the

The foundation I choose to do research on was the Coral Reef Alliance. This non-profit foundation was created in order to help stop and eventually reverse the effect that humans have played on the slow but steady decline of the worlds coral reefs. While there is science that has proved humans have been posing a very negative impact on the environment, the hardest thing that comes with this cause is convincing people that we are the reason this is happening. With Americans placing little trust on the scientists in charge of global warming ​research it can be an reasonable assumption to think that many don't think there is an actual problem. Another large problem with the organization is that it's not very active on it's YouTube channel. This

The article discussed the many elements that come together and harshly affect the coral reefs’ health including: overfishing, algae, pollution from fertilizers, diseases, and increase in ocean temperature. The studies controlled reefs showed many factors that come into their widespread death and what can be done to manage it. The findings focused on the impacts of algae and pathogens in the water. Algae and increasing temperatures reduces

The deterioration of coral reefs is mainly linked to human activities – 88% of coral reefs are threatened through various reasons as