Industrial sedimentation lowers coral growth rates in a turbid lagoon environment, Discovery Bay, Jamaica

Abstract

Park is a turbid lagoonal reef site in Discovery Bay, Jamaica, where bauxite is loaded onto ships for transport. In Columbus Park, growth of Siderastrea siderea colonies (radial growth rate= 2.0 ± 1.7 mm/yr; n=3) and Acropora cervicornis colonies (linear extension rate = 2.51 ± 2.2 cm/yr; n=3) were significantly (p=0.0005 for both) lower than at Dairy Bull (Siderastrea siderea radial growth rate= 6.6 ± 2.2 mm/yr; n=3 and Acropora cervicornis linear extension rate = 10.95 ± 2.72 cm/yr; n=3) on the Discovery Bay fore-reef . Zooxanthellae from Acropora cervicornis samples (n=5) in Columbus Park were all clade A, while zooxanthellae clades A, B, and C were found in Acropora cervicornis samples (n=5) at Dairy Bull. The implication of chronic sedimentation and acute extreme events on the coral reefs of Discovery Bay is discussed.