Puako coral reef in declining health. (IMAGE)

Arizona State University

Puako coral reef in declining health.

Caption

ASU researchers found two clearly linked factors causing ocean contamination: the presence of inland on-site sewage systems and the prevalence of high-density land cover near the coastline — particularly coastal urban development. Submarine groundwater discharge acts as a major conduit that delivers sewage-contaminated groundwater directly onto some of west Hawai'i's most vulnerable coral reefs. Here, coral reef at Puako are seen in declining health.

Credit

Courtesy Greg Asner

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