No effect of dredging on the prevalence of coral disease detected during a large dredging program

MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN

卷:140

Article

Stoddart, James^1,3  Jones, Ross²  Page, Cathie³  Marnane, Michael⁴  De Lestang, Paul⁵  Elsdon, Trivis⁵ 

[1] Univ Western Australia, Oceans Inst, Perth, WA, Australia

[2] AIMS, Perth, WA, Australia

[3] MSci Pty Ltd, Perth, WA, Australia

[4] Chevron Energy Technol Co, Perth, WA, Australia

[5] Chevron Australia Pty Ltd, Perth, WA, Australia

关键词: Dredging;    Coral;    Disease;    Indicators;   

DOI  :  10.1016/j.marpolbul.2019.01.047

来源: Elsevier

【 摘 要 】

The frequency of disease within coral communities was evaluated using an 18-month series of coral photographs taken before, during, and after a major dredging program at Barrow Island, off Australia's northwest coast. Up to 60 corals were assessed repeatedly at each of four dredging 'impact' sites (< 1 km from dredging), and four 'reference' sites (> 20 km from dredging). Contrary to an earlier report, the frequency of occurrence of coral disease (usually < 5% of corals) was not significantly altered by dredging. The pattern of occurrence of coral disease does not constitute a suitable early warning bioindicator of dredging impacts on coral. This study suggests that disease is difficult to measure and evaluate, and is not a key indicator in the potential impacts of dredging on coral health. We propose that environmental monitoring during dredging should continue to focus on known impact indicators.

【 授权许可】

Free