One source of coral disease

[ichthyoid]

I thought this may be of interest. It seems we have at least one smoking gun, concerning the source of coral disease, and some salvation for the Elkhorn coral.

 

[grouper therapy]

How can human sewage be the definitive answer of the source of the bacteria if it is also found in other animals. I know that deer would not be the source but could not the feces from fish possibly be the source as well? GREAT POST by the way!! Thanks.

 

[brianjfinn]

grouper therapy;678862 wrote: How can human sewage be the definitive answer of the source of the bacteria if it is also found in other animals. I know that deer would not be the source but could not the feces from fish possibly be the source as well? GREAT POST by the way!! Thanks.

I agree. I'd be interested to see the actual studies that show the correlation of human waste product in the ocean and the white pox. In order for the study to be complete and prove that it is actually human waste, they would need to eliminate the bacteria from other animals in the area as well. If it's found in deer and other animals, could there be marine animals that are contributing to the bacteria?

 

[ichthyoid]

According to the article they have correlated the disease in these corals to a specific bacterium, which is found in human fecal matter, among other sources. They have not said that it definitively comes from humans. They are trying to establish that, as I understood it.

One thing we have to consider is the 'scale' factor. No matter what the source is, it has to be from a sizeable enough source to have that impact. (the ocean is a really, really big place)

So, one thing we do know is, that there are a LOT of humans!

Personally, my 'hunch' is that we are to blame. This would not be the first negative environmental impact observed from human activity, by a long shot.

We shall see...