In light of new research published by Dr. Jennie Mallela and her student Daniel Martinez-Escobar, a press release was published by the Australian National University on the 6th of August, 2019. This article detailed the importance of the new research for phosphate mining techniques and their impacts on nearby coral reef ecosystems at Christmas Island.
The results of the study suggest that coral reefs closer to phosphate mining infrastructure exhibit higher levels of pollution, and the coral species were limited to a few pollution hardy species. This pollution slows down reef growth by reducing light levels, and smothering reef organisms, with the increased sediment runoff from the mines.
In the ANU Media article, Dr. Mallela says "If you have a lot of run off and pollution, the sediment becomes dark and quite sticky. It actually smothers and sticks to the reef organisms, and can kill them. It also clouds up the water column, so it stops the light from penetrating down. Coral is part plant, part animal - the plant component needs to photosynthesise, so if the pollution reduces the light levels on the reef you take away part of its feeding regime."
This study could help advise mining companies as to how their practices are affecting coral reefs, and how reducing runoff could be beneficial not only for the environment, but also the mine itself.
Comments