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Coral Reefs of
Costa Rica
How Pollution Affects the Coral Reefs
Costa Rican Coral Reefs
What is a coral?
-A “coral” is actually a
“coral colony”
-Rocky limestone base
-Surface is covered by
thousands of tiny coral
animals, called “polyps”
-Polyps are filled with
microscopic algae
Anatomy of a coral polyp
-Each polyp looks like a
tiny sea anemone
-Ring of stinging tentacles
around a central mouth
-Rests in a “cup” on the
surface of the colony
What do corals eat?
-Like a sea anemone, the
polyp can capture small
prey (mostly zooplankton)
with its tentacles
-Also get nutrition from a
symbiotic relationship with
zooxanthellae….
What are zooxanthellae?
-Algae that live in the coral
polyp’s surface layer
-Algae get nutrients and a
safe place to grow
-Corals get oxygen and help
with waste removal
-Corals also get most of their
food from the algae
Benefits of Coral Reefs
• Fish live in the coral.
• Protects coastal area
from storms and
hurricanes.
• Remove toxins from
the water.
• Recreation for
humans.
What turns the coral white?
Healthy
coral with
algae
Bleached
coral with
no algae
- As a stress response, corals expel the
symbiotic zooxanthellae from their tissues
- The coral tissue is clear, so you see the
white limestone skeleton underneath
What can stress a coral?
-Pollution
-Bacteria
-High turbidity
from coastal
runoff, cruise
ships, or
hurricanes
-High & Cold
water
temperatures
Examples of Damage to Reefs
Anchors
Humans
Cruise Ships
Pollution
Can corals recover?
-Corals may eventually
regain color by repopulating
their zooxanthellae
-Algae may come from the
water column
-Or they may come from
reproduction of the few cells
that remain in the coral
-Corals can begin to
recover after a few weeks
What Can We Do To Help?
• Stop Pollution
• Protect Reefs From
Damage By Humans
• Create Artificial Reefs
Artificial Reefs
Reef Balls are
positioned to create
an artificial reef.
Coral starts to
grow and fish
move in.
A new reef begins to form.
Healthy Reefs Again
Fish Tank Project
• Create your own artificial reef in the classroom.
Clinton Lake Project
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Water source is the Wakarusa river
Located 1 mile West of Lawrence, KS
Built to help with flood control
Constructed and operated by Army Corps
of Engineers
What we get from lakes
• Recreation
– Boating, fishing, swimming,
camping, hiking
• Habitats for marine life and
water fowl
• Water supply
• Flood control
How we damage Clinton Lake
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Littering
Fish waste
Agriculture Run-off
Contaminates from
Storm Sewers
• Air Pollution
How can we make a difference?
• Don’t throw any thing in the water.
• Don’t put trash the land by the water.
• Reduce the amount of harmful chemicals
used in and around your house.
• Pick-up trash along roads that may
wash into rivers and streams.