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Coral Reefs of Costa Rica How Pollution Affects the Coral Reefs Costa Rican Coral Reefs What is a coral? -A “coral” is actually a “coral colony” -Rocky limestone base -Surface is covered by thousands of tiny coral animals, called “polyps” -Polyps are filled with microscopic algae Anatomy of a coral polyp -Each polyp looks like a tiny sea anemone -Ring of stinging tentacles around a central mouth -Rests in a “cup” on the surface of the colony What do corals eat? -Like a sea anemone, the polyp can capture small prey (mostly zooplankton) with its tentacles -Also get nutrition from a symbiotic relationship with zooxanthellae…. What are zooxanthellae? -Algae that live in the coral polyp’s surface layer -Algae get nutrients and a safe place to grow -Corals get oxygen and help with waste removal -Corals also get most of their food from the algae Benefits of Coral Reefs • Fish live in the coral. • Protects coastal area from storms and hurricanes. • Remove toxins from the water. • Recreation for humans. What turns the coral white? Healthy coral with algae Bleached coral with no algae - As a stress response, corals expel the symbiotic zooxanthellae from their tissues - The coral tissue is clear, so you see the white limestone skeleton underneath What can stress a coral? -Pollution -Bacteria -High turbidity from coastal runoff, cruise ships, or hurricanes -High & Cold water temperatures Examples of Damage to Reefs Anchors Humans Cruise Ships Pollution Can corals recover? -Corals may eventually regain color by repopulating their zooxanthellae -Algae may come from the water column -Or they may come from reproduction of the few cells that remain in the coral -Corals can begin to recover after a few weeks What Can We Do To Help? • Stop Pollution • Protect Reefs From Damage By Humans • Create Artificial Reefs Artificial Reefs Reef Balls are positioned to create an artificial reef. Coral starts to grow and fish move in. A new reef begins to form. Healthy Reefs Again Fish Tank Project • Create your own artificial reef in the classroom. Clinton Lake Project • • • • Water source is the Wakarusa river Located 1 mile West of Lawrence, KS Built to help with flood control Constructed and operated by Army Corps of Engineers What we get from lakes • Recreation – Boating, fishing, swimming, camping, hiking • Habitats for marine life and water fowl • Water supply • Flood control How we damage Clinton Lake • • • • Littering Fish waste Agriculture Run-off Contaminates from Storm Sewers • Air Pollution How can we make a difference? • Don’t throw any thing in the water. • Don’t put trash the land by the water. • Reduce the amount of harmful chemicals used in and around your house. • Pick-up trash along roads that may wash into rivers and streams.