Tobago’s fringing coral reefs (FR) and Buccoo Reef Complex (BRC) can be affected locally by wastewater and stormwater, and regionally by the Orinoco River. In 2001, seasonal effects of these inputs on water-column nutrients and phytoplankton (Chl a), macroalgal C:N:P and δ15N values, and biocover at FR and BRC sites were examined. Dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN, particularly ammonium) increased and soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) decreased from the dry to wet season. Wet season satellite and Chl a data showed that Orinoco runoff reaching Tobago contained chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) but little Chl a, suggesting minimal riverine nutrient transport to Tobago. C:N ratios were lower (16 vs. 21) and macroalgal δ15N values higher (6.6‰ vs. 5.5‰) in the BRC vs. FR, indicating relatively more wastewater N in the BRC. High macroalgae and low coral cover in the BRC further indicated that better wastewater treatment could improve the health of Tobago’s coral reefs.
Member of
Contributors
Date Issued
2010-03
Note
Language
Type
Genre
Extent
11 p.
Subject (Topical)
Identifier
1429256
Additional Information
Tobago’s fringing coral reefs (FR) and Buccoo Reef Complex (BRC) can be affected locally by wastewater and stormwater, and regionally by the Orinoco River. In 2001, seasonal effects of these inputs on water-column nutrients and phytoplankton (Chl a), macroalgal C:N:P and δ15N values, and biocover at FR and BRC sites were examined. Dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN, particularly ammonium) increased and soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) decreased from the dry to wet season. Wet season satellite and Chl a data showed that Orinoco runoff reaching Tobago contained chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) but little Chl a, suggesting minimal riverine nutrient transport to Tobago. C:N ratios were lower (16 vs. 21) and macroalgal δ15N values higher (6.6‰ vs. 5.5‰) in the BRC vs. FR, indicating relatively more wastewater N in the BRC. High macroalgae and low coral cover in the BRC further indicated that better wastewater treatment could improve the health of Tobago’s coral reefs.
The final published version of this manuscript is available at www.elsevier.com/locate/marpolbul This article should be cited as: Lapointe,Brian E., Richard Langton, Bradley J. Bedford, Arthur C. Potts , Owen Day, Chuanmin Hu. (2010). Landbased nutrient enrichment of the Buccoo Reef Complex and fringing coral reefs of Tobago, West Indies, Marine Pollution Bulletin 60(3):334‐343. doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2009.10.020
Florida Atlantic University. Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute contribution #1788.
Date Backup
2010-03
Date Text
2010-03
DOI
10.1016/j.marpolbul.2009.10.020
Date Issued (EDTF)
2010-03
Extension
FAU
FAU
admin_unit="FAU01", ingest_id="ing5363", creator="creator:SPATEL", creation_date="2010-03-24 10:14:50", modified_by="super:FAUDIG", modification_date="2014-02-10 08:10:43"
IID
FADT1429256
Issuance
single unit
Person Preferred Name
Lapointe, Brian E.
creator
blapoin1@fau.edu
Physical Description
11 p.
Title Plain
Land-based nutrient enrichment of the Buccoo Reef Complex and fringing coral reefs of Tobago, West Indies
Origin Information
2010-03
single unit
Title
Land-based nutrient enrichment of the Buccoo Reef Complex and fringing coral reefs of Tobago, West Indies
Other Title Info
Land-based nutrient enrichment of the Buccoo Reef Complex and fringing coral reefs of Tobago, West Indies