Does pollution affect coral reefs?
Pollution can smother coral reefs, lower water quality, and make corals more susceptible to disease. When sediment and other pollutants enter the water, they smother coral reefs, speed the growth of damaging algae, and lower water quality.
What is the main cause of China’s air pollution?
Coal is the leading culprit of air pollution in China. 75% of the premature deaths are caused by the 152 coal-fired power plants in Hebei Province. Air pollution will remain a serious problem in China as long as coal continues to be the country’s major energy source.
What are the major threats to coral reefs?
Threats to Coral Reefs
- Physical damage or destruction from coastal development, dredging, quarrying, destructive fishing practices and gear, boat anchors and groundings, and recreational misuse (touching or removing corals).
- Pollution that originates on land but finds its way into coastal waters.
What are the threats to coral reefs?
Threats to coral reefs: land-based sources of pollution. As human population and development expands in coastal areas, the landscape is altered, increasing land-based source of pollution and threatening coral reef health.
What are the main sources of pollution in coral reefs?
There are many types and sources of pollution from land-based activities, for example: Sedimentation has been identified as a primary stressor for the existence and recovery of coral species and their habitats. Sediment deposited onto reefs can smother corals and interfere with their ability to feed, grow, and reproduce.
What is the Chinese government doing to protect coral reefs?
The Chinese government declared environment protection to be a national policy in 1984, and in 1997, sustainable development was turned into a national development strategy. The government also had a series of laws related to coral reefs.
How is human population growth affecting coral reefs?
As human population and development expands in coastal areas, the landscape is altered, increasing land-based sources of pollution and threatening coral reef health. Download this infographic | Infographic Text