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Description:
Title:
Excess Nutrients in Vatia Bay, American Samoa: Spatiotemporal Variability, Source Identification and Impact on Coral Reef Ecosystems
Author(s):
Whitall, David
Curtis, Meagan
Mason, Andrew
Vargas-Angel, Bernardo
United States, National Ocean Service
National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (U.S.)
United States, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,
Coral Reef Conservation Program (U.S.)
Corporate Name:
United States, National Ocean Service
National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (U.S.)
United States, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,
Coral Reef Conservation Program (U.S.)
Dates of Publication:
2019
Abstract:
This study articulated the spatiotemporal variability in nutrient concentrations in Vatia Bay. Results showed that while the magnitude of nutrient pollution is similar to the island as a whole, it exceeds the territorial water quality standards for embayments (total nitrogen and total phosphorus). Water quality patterns generally mirror the previously observed patterns in coral reef ecosystem condition. While coral reefs in Vatia are almost certainly exposed to multiple stressors (nutrients, sedimentation, temperature, fishing, etc), the data in this paper provide strong evidence that nutrient pollution is a problem in Vatia Bay. Furthermore, the use of sucralose and caffeine and tracers have definitively established that human waste is reaching the Bay. This information is critical to coastal managers in making decisions about remediation activities and best management practices.
Keywords:
Coral reef animals
Coral reef conservation
Coral reef ecology
Effect of human beings on
Effect of water pollution on
Nitrogen content
Water
Place Keywords:
American Samoa
Local Corporate Name:
NOS (National Ocean Service)
NCCOS (National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science)
CoRIS (Coral Reef Information System)
Type of Resource:
Technical Memorandum
Genre:
NOAA technical memorandum NOS NCCOS ; 266
Note:
This study articulated the spatiotemporal variability in nutrient concentrations in Vatia Bay. Results showed that while the magnitude of nutrient pollution is similar to the island as a whole, it exceeds the territorial water quality standards for embayments (total nitrogen and total phosphorus). Water quality patterns generally mirror the previously observed patterns in coral reef ecosystem condition. While coral reefs in Vatia are almost certainly exposed to multiple stressors (nutrients, sedimentation, temperature, fishing, etc), the data in this paper provide strong evidence that nutrient pollution is a problem in Vatia Bay. Furthermore, the use of sucralose and caffeine and tracers have definitively established that human waste is reaching the Bay. This information is critical to coastal managers in making decisions about remediation activities and best management practices.
URL:
DOI:
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