Premium
Submarine groundwater discharge: An important source of new inorganic nitrogen to coral reef ecosystems
Author(s) -
Paytan Adina,
Shellenbarger Gregory G.,
Street Joseph H.,
Gonneea Meagan E.,
Davis Kristen,
Young Megan B.,
Moore Willard S.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
limnology and oceanography
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.7
H-Index - 197
eISSN - 1939-5590
pISSN - 0024-3590
DOI - 10.4319/lo.2006.51.1.0343
Subject(s) - submarine groundwater discharge , environmental science , reef , coral reef , nutrient , oceanography , groundwater , submarine , population , coral , ecosystem , nutrient pollution , hydrology (agriculture) , ecology , geology , aquifer , biology , geotechnical engineering , demography , sociology
Using radium (Ra) isotopes and nutrient analyses, we found that submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) is an important source of “new” nutrients, particularly nitrogen, to coral reefs around the world. Nitrogen input estimates associated with SGD range from 3 to 800 mmol h ‐1 per meter of shoreline. The use of Ra isotopes allows us to quantify the inorganic nitrogen input from this source of nutrients. Increasing coastal population and land use practices may enhance anthropogenic nutrient loading from submarine groundwater contributing to reef degradation.