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Título del libro: Anthropogenic Pollution Of Aquatic Ecosystems
Título del capítulo: Contamination of coral reefs in the Mexican caribbean

Autores UNAM:
ANASTAZIA TERESA HELENA BANASZAK;
Autores externos:

Idioma:

Año de publicación:
2021
Palabras clave:

Ecosystem degradation; Karst hydrogeology; Mesoamerican Reef System; Reef insurance policy; Unsustainable tourism


Resumen:

This chapter describes the importance of coral reef ecosystems, particularly those of the Mexican Caribbean and the causes of coral reef degradation. Ironically, the explosion in tourism, while good for the economy, is devastating the natural resources in the region. The focus of the chapter is on the decrease in water quality as an overarching problem affecting Mexican Caribbean coral reefs, which are situated close to the coastline where tourism-associated growth has expanded unsustainably. Wastewater effluents are not adequately treated and eventually reach the sea through the underground aquifer system. The resulting contamination reduces water quality in coastal waters leading to the degradation of the once oligotrophic coral reef ecosystem over time. In recent years, contamination has been exacerbated by Sargassum blooms that accumulate on the coastline and decompose, leading to a further reduction in water quality. The biological effects of the different components of wastewater discharge, particularly, freshwater, nutrients, pathogens and sunscreens are detrimental to corals and can lead to mortality, diseases and bleaching. The synergistic effects of poor water quality, due to unsustainable growth associated with tourism and Sargassum blooms, with stressors related to climate change, will intensify coral reef ecosystem degradation by decreasing resilience to changes in the environment. © Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2021. All rights reserved.


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