A quantification of the standing stock of macro-debris in Majuro lagoon and its effect on hard coral communities

Richards, Zoe T. and Beger, Maria (2011) A quantification of the standing stock of macro-debris in Majuro lagoon and its effect on hard coral communities. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 62 8: 1693-1701.


Author Richards, Zoe T.
Beger, Maria
Title A quantification of the standing stock of macro-debris in Majuro lagoon and its effect on hard coral communities
Journal name Marine Pollution Bulletin  (ERA 2012 Listed)    (ERA 2010 Rank B)   Check publisher's open access policy
Publication date 2011-08
Sub-type Article
DOI 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2011.06.003
Volume number 62
Issue number 8
ISSN 0025-326X; 1879-3363
Start page 1693
End page 1701
Total pages 9
Place of publication Oxford, United Kingdom
Publisher Elsevier
Collection year 2012
Language eng
Formatted abstract The accumulation of debris is an insidious problem throughout the world’s oceans. Here we document 234.24 items of macro-debris/km2 in the shallow populated parts of Majuro lagoon (Republic of the Marshall Islands) which is the second highest standing stock of macro-debris recorded to date in any benthic marine habitat in the world. The majority of macro-debris was from household sources (78.7%) with the peak abundance recorded in areas of medium affluence. Marine debris causes suffocation, shading, tissue abrasion and mortality of corals and we show a significant negative correlation exists between the level of hard coral cover and coverage of marine debris. Given long decomposition times, even if the input of rubbish to Majuro lagoon is stopped immediately, the standing stock of debris will persist for centuries. Multiple new initiatives are needed to curtail the direct and indirect dumping of waste in Majuro lagoon.
Keyword Macro-debris
Coral reef
Affluence
Benthic
Marshall Islands
Q-Index Code C1
Q-Index Status Confirmed Code
Institutional Status UQ

Document type: Journal Article
Sub-type: Article
Collections: HERDC-Related Documentation
Official 2012 Collection
School of Biological Sciences Publications
 
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