Assessing the Sensitivity of Acropora cervicornis Resulting from Exposure to Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Copper Chloride
Coral reefs play an important role in the environment; protecting coastlines from flooding, and supporting more species per unit area than any other marine ecosystem. These valuable ecosystems are in danger because of environmental pollutants that seep into the oceans, killing susceptible coral. This research investigated the effect of chemicals with long residence time on coral health. Using NOAA's National Status and Trends Database to identify which pesticides, insecticides, herbicides, and metals have been found in coastal Florida water and sediment samples, data was collected on the types of chemicals and their prevalence. Coastal locations containing declining coral reef ecosystems were analyzed by which chemicals were found to be in the highest concentrations and the source of the chemical exposure. The most common types of chemical and those with the highest concentration per square area in each location were polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), known to enter the oceans through offshore drilling. The effects of fluoranthene (a PAH) and copper chloride were tested on an endemic and declining species of coral, Acropora cervicornis, found in Florida's marine ecosystems. This study used a passive-dosing method, semi-quantitative scoring, and PAM fluorometry to assess the sublethal stress of fluoranthene and copper chloride on Acropora cervicornis, finding the both chemicals' EC-50 and LC-50. It was determined that while copper chloride did significantly impact the coral, fluoranthene has no significant effect on Acropora cervicornis without UV light, as it is a phototoxic chemical which requires UV light to produce a deleterious effect. Results conclude that the Acropora cervicornis species is quite durable compared to other species, and should be highly protected.
Rebecca serves as the editor-in-chief of Research in the Pine, and is excited to publish her own research in the first issue. When not conducting science research, Rebecca enjoys making music, working out, running a tutoring program for foster children, and working at Crumbl Cookies. Rebecca will be continuing her education at Stanford University, where she plans to pursue a STEM major.