Nutrient Pollution and Macroalgal Blooms on Nutrient Pollution and Macroalgal Blooms on Caribbean Coral Reefs: Lessons from JamaicaCaribbean Coral Reefs: Lessons from Jamaica

Brian E. LapointeBrian E. Lapointe11, Brad J. Bedford, Brad J. Bedford11, Katy Thacker, Katy Thacker22, Elsa , Elsa HemmingsHemmings22, Linval Getten, Linval Getten22, Webster Gabbidon, Webster Gabbidon22, ,

Courtney BlackCourtney Black22, Everton Frame, Everton Frame22, and Carl Hanson, and Carl Hanson22

1) Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution, Inc., 5600 US 1 North, Ft. Pierce, FL 34946

2) Negril Coral Reef Preservation Society, P. O. Box 2725, Negril,Westmoreland, Jamaica

Blame it on the Fishermen ! Blame it on the Fishermen !

Nutrient Enrichment and Coastal Nutrient Enrichment and Coastal Ecosystem DeclineEcosystem Decline

NRC (2000)NRC (2000)

““For too long ourFor too long our oceans have beenoceans have been dumping grounds.” dumping grounds.”

““EPA and the states shouldEPA and the states should establish water qualityestablish water quality standards for nutrients,standards for nutrients, especially nitrogen,especially nitrogen, as quickly as possible.”as quickly as possible.”

Nutrient PollutionNutrient Pollution

““The most pervasive and The most pervasive and troubling pollution troubling pollution

problem currently facing problem currently facing U.S. coastal waters.”U.S. coastal waters.”

(U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy.An Ocean Blueprint for the 21st Century.

Final Report.Washington, D.C., 2004.ISBN #0-9759462-0-X.)

Proliferation of Macroalgal Proliferation of Macroalgal HABs and InvadersHABs and Invaders

Morand & Briand 1996 Morand & Briand 1996 Botanica MarinaBotanica Marina39: 491-51639: 491-516

Relative Dominance ModelRelative Dominance ModelLittler, M. M. and D. S. Littler. 1984. Prog. Phycol. Res. 3:323-364

DIN Thresholds: Macroalgal HABs on Coral ReefsDIN Thresholds: Macroalgal HABs on Coral Reefs

How much DIN How much DIN

is enoughis enough ? ?

Lapointe, B. E. 1999 L&O 44(6):1586-1592

Outer GBROuter GBR

““Ridge to Reef” MonitoringRidge to Reef” Monitoring

Alkaline Phosphatase ActivityAlkaline Phosphatase ActivityLapointe, B. E. 1997. L & O. 42(5, part 2): 1119-1131

Biotic Cover in the Negril Biotic Cover in the Negril Marine Park - 1998Marine Park - 1998

Macroalgal Distribution: Shallow vs. Deep ReefsMacroalgal Distribution: Shallow vs. Deep Reefs

Use of Stable Nitrogen Isotopes Use of Stable Nitrogen Isotopes To “Fingerprint” the Source of NitrogenTo “Fingerprint” the Source of Nitrogen

Increased SRP Concentrations in SNR PlumeIncreased SRP Concentrations in SNR Plume

QuickTime™ and aDV/DVCPRO - NTSC decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

Experimental Evidence of Nutrient Pollution: Experimental Evidence of Nutrient Pollution: The Wreck of the The Wreck of the Arimora, Arimora, Egg Island, BahamasEgg Island, Bahamas

ConclusionsConclusions

1) “Phase-shifts” on reefs in the Negril Marine Park primarily a result of anthropogenic nutrient pollution and overfishing

4) Chlorophytes become dominant HAB on relatively P-enriched (SRP > ~0.1 M) reefs in summer wet season

3) Phaeophytes are dominant HAB because of P-limited (N:P > 35:1) waters

2) Chronic low level ammonium enrichment from land-based sources important to nutrition of HABs and coral diseases

5) Escalating ammonium and SRP enrichment from sewage outfall in South Negril River is impacting Long Bay and West End

Special Thanks To:Special Thanks To:

The Point VillageHedonism IIBeachesSandalsEuropean UnionFriends of JamaicaHarbor Branch National Water CommissionDiscovery Bay Marine LabUniversity of the West Indies

“The Team”

““In the end we will conserve In the end we will conserve only what we love; only what we love;

we Will love only whatwe Will love only what we understand; we understand;

and we WILL understand only and we WILL understand only what we have been taught” what we have been taught”

- Baba Dioum- Baba Dioum

QuickTime™ and aDV/DVCPRO - NTSC decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

Thank You !Thank You !