Scientists, utilizing nearly two decades of data, demonstrated the pivotal role played by herbivorous fish and clean waters in maintaining the reef’s equilibrium. This combination of stressors – Pollution, overfishing, and rising temperatures – poses a threat to Hawaii’s coral reefs.Ī recent study published in the journal Nature sheds light on a possible solution to safeguard these delicate ecosystems.

This not only weakens the existing coral but also hinders the growth of new corals, endangering the very future of these reefs.Īdding to these challenges, rising ocean temperatures due to Climate change have led to coral bleaching, a phenomenon where stressed corals expel the symbiotic algae that provide them with energy and color. Algae blankets the coral, blocking sunlight and depriving the coral polyps of energy. The consequence is a cascade effect: an overabundance of algae, coupled with overfishing of herbivorous fish, creates a recipe for disaster.

This situation mirrors the way runoff from nitrogen-laden fertilizers used in agriculture can lead to harmful algae blooms in nearby water bodies.

Additionally, septic tanks, while retaining solid waste, release nitrogen-rich liquid waste that acts as a fertilizer, stimulating algae growth. While Hawaiian cities have established centralized wastewater treatment facilities, the presence of approximately 88,000 cesspools – pits that often leak sewage into the ocean – is a looming problem. However, this complex symbiosis is now under threat due to the impact of human waste.

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