SEWAGE SLUSH IN CORAL REEFS CORAL REEFS IN TOBAGO: In Trinidad and Tobago, resides some of the world’s most beautiful and largest brain corals in the world, located in our very own Speyside Coral Reef, and Buccoo Reef in Tobago. Coral reefs play a very important role in Tobago’s economy, generating money through the tourism industry and saving money by protecting its coastlines from the impact of waves and erosion. Therefore, it is very important to conserve and preserve our reefs from various threats such as the improper disposal of untreated sewage into the sea. EFFECTS OF SEWAGE ON CORAL REEFS Algal Growth- the abundance of nutrients found in sewage generates algal bloom which can smother corals causing them to be stressed and die. Picture of algal bloom in coral reefs. Retrieved from "Coral Reef By Zoe Kehs" 2016 Increased levels of Bacteria – Bacteria limits the availability of dissolved oxygen in the water for corals, which can cause them to become stressed and die. Increased Heavy Metals Levels - heavy metals found in sewage waste, such as mercury and lead can cause an increase in coral bleaching and death. Picture of a bleached coral located in Speyside Reef, Tobago. Retrieved from Downs 2016 Increased Pathogen Levels - According to Wear and Thurber 2016, pathogens found in untreated sewage waste can infect corals found in the Caribbean with diseases such as white pox disease. Increased Fresh Water Levels - fresh water is a primary component of sewage waste, which directly causes corals to be bleached. Graph showing one of the effects of improper sewage disposal, i.e the number of different species of algae against coral cover percentage(%). Retrieved from D. et al. 2016 WAYS TO REDUCE THE EFFECTS OF SEWAGE WASTE ON CORAL REEFS 1) “Re-routing waste outfalls that drain into the Bon Accord lagoon,” is a viable solution to reduce the impact of sewage on coral reefs according to, "Tobago: A Sustainable Future For Buccoo Reef | World Resources Institute" 2016, 2) The production of a wastewater treatment plant in southwest Tobago would lessen the effects of sewage on the Buccoo Reef. 3) Implement and upkeep laws with stricter punishment and higher fines for persons who run pipes with their untreated sewage into the ocean. Picture of Tobago’s coral reef. Retrieved from “Trinidad And Tobago" REFERENCES: -"Coral Reef By Zoe Kehs". 2016. Thinglink.Com. https://www.thinglink.com/ scene/713447085059342336. -D., Jos, Linda M., Julio A., Victor F., Hector Reyes- Bonilla, and Amlcar L. 2016. "Conservation And Sus- tainability Of Mexican Caribbean Coral Reefs And The Threats Of A Human-Induced Phase-Shift". -Downs, Marty. 2016. "When Life Depends On Corals, What Marks The Most Promising Reef?". Cool Green Science. http://blog.nature.org/science/2014/01/15/ quick-study-when-life-depends-on-corals-what-marks- the-most-promising-reef/. -"Tobago: A Sustainable Future For Buccoo Reef | World Resources Institute". 2016. Wri.Org. http:// www.wri.org/tobago-sustainable-future-buccoo-reef. -"Trinidad And Tobago". 2016. Climateandreefs. http:// climateandreefs.org/trinidad-and-tobago/. -Wear, Stephanie L. and Rebecca Vega Thurber. 2016. "Sewage Pollution: Mitigation Is Key For Coral Reef Stewardship". -"What’S Going On With Our Country’S Sewage Sys- tem?". 2016. OSH Matters. https:// oshmatters.wordpress.com/2015/10/06/sewage- hazards/. Picture showing improper disposal of sewage. Retrieved from, "What’S Going On With Our Country’S Sewage System?" 2016 BRITTANY GANPATH, Department of Life Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago