[CONCEPT, Vol.

XXXVII (2014)]

The Impact of Nitrogen Eutrophication

on Caribbean Coral Reefs: A Review
Melissa Pastore
Biology

Abstract

Coral reefs are declining in the Caribbean region due to a variety of reasons.
Nitrogen from agriculture, sewage, and other anthropogenic sources is polluting
coastal waterways and represents one major threat to reef health. The effects of
nitrogen eutrophication on coral reefs was investigated in this review. Nitrogen
pollution slows calcification, changes photopigment concentrations, accelerates
coral disease rates, increases coral-algal competition, and reduces coral
reproduction and recruitment. To conserve these important ecosystems and sustain
the variety of services they provide, nitrogen loading to coral reef ecosystems must
be reduced.

Introduction

Nutrient enrichment is causing coral reef degradation and mortality across the
world. Coral reefs thrive in high quality coastal waters and are sensitive to changes
in water quality, such as influxes of nitrogen (Baker et al. 2013). The magnitude of
these influxes, which are also referred to as nitrogen eutrophication, is often
anthropogenic. Nutrients can enter waterways from agriculture, sewage, and
atmospheric deposition (Baker et al. 2013). Resulting reef degradation may occur
through changes in coral calcification, light reduction, and competition due to
macroalgal growth, decreased coral recruitment and reproduction, and changes in
coral diversity (Fabricius 2005). Reefs at the highest risk of pollution-caused
damage include those on deeper slopes, reefs in poorly flushed locations,
commonly disturbed reefs, and those lacking herbivorous fishes (Fabricius 2011).
Effects on hard coral are of particular concern as these species are typically
reef-builders due to the accumulation of their calcium carbonate skeletons over
time. A meta-analysis of Caribbean coral decline using 65 studies and
encompassing 263 sites in the Caribbean basin found that average hard coral cover
 was reduced by 80% in
three decades (Gardner et
al. 2003). Local factors,
including eutrophication,
were attributed as the
predominant causes of
this decline. Any slowed
rates of declines or
apparent recoveries, such
as in Jamaica, portray a
potentially overly
optimistic trend as the
results only reflect
changes in total coral
Figure 1. Variability in mean rate of coral cover change in cover and not changes in
1980 (open bars) and 1990 (shaded bars). Bootstrap- community composition
generated 95% confidence intervals are shown. Sample sizes (Fig. 1). Other studies have
for the 1980s and 1990s, respectively, are: Florida: 4 and 64; revealed changes in reef
U.S. Virgin Islands/Puerto Rico: 33 and 26; Jamaica: 29 and communities, such as a
7; northern Central America: 12 and 29; southern Central
America: 8 and 3; and Leeward Netherlands Antilles: 4 and
shift in dominance by reef-
12. (Figure source: Gardner et al., 2003) builders like Acropora (ie.
  elkhorn and staghorn) and
Montastrea to non-reef builders (Gardner et al. 2003).
The protection of coral reefs is necessary if we are to ensure the preservation
of the ecosystem services reefs provide. For example, about 9 x 106 tons of fishery
biomass per year are extracted from coral reefs, amounting to approximately 12%
of the amount obtained globally (Zarco-Perelló et al. 2013). Beyond supporting
commercial fishing, coral reefs also protect our coasts, provide animal protein,
promote tourism, and supply the ocean with abundant biodiversity (Kennedy et al.
2013). The calcium carbonate skeletons generated by coral create a habitat relied
upon by diverse species, and the natural erosion of these structures generates the
critical sand accumulation needed by many beach ecosystems (Kennedy et al.
2013). The continuation of these services is in jeopardy as 20% of the world’s
coral reefs have been lost already, making this an imminent problem (Zarco-
Perelló et al. 2013). This review relates the broad problem of nitrogen
eutrophication to the Yucatán Peninsula specifically and goes on to synthesize the
information available on the effects of nitrogen pollution on coral communities
throughout the Caribbean. Consequences discussed include physiological effects
on calcification and photopigments, accelerated disease rates, increased coral-algal
competition, and effects on reproduction and recruitment. I place particular
emphasis on hard coral; however, I also discuss soft coral species. Ultimately, this
review seeks to determine whether nitrogen eutrophication is a significant factor
contributing to observed coral declines, with particular focus on the Caribbean
region.

Nitrogen Eutrophication

Nitrogen eutrophication causes negative consequences for marine foodwebs,

coastal economies, and more broadly for many ecosystems, making nitrogen
management a vital concern. Increased algal growth and the creation of anoxic
dead zones in marine ecosystems are the most obvious negative effects of
eutrophication (Bricker et al. 2008). A less obvious but equally important
consequence occurs when nitrogen is denitrified by microbes, resulting in the
emission of nitrogen in gaseous forms. Many of these gases have negative, far-
reaching effects, such as NOx and N2O, which are notable greenhouse gases
(Hirsch et al. 2006). Increased nitrogen loading into ecosystems stimulates the rate
of denitrification and the production of these greenhouse gases (Kinney and
Valiela 2013).
Humans are responsible for approximately doubling the amount of available
nitrogen cycling in terrestrial ecosystems (Vitousek et al. 1997), and therefore
nitrogen management is of concern to many fisheries and land managers.
Conventional monitoring of water quality for total nitrogen concentration is a
major weakness of nitrogen management solutions because it does not discriminate
between natural and anthropogenic sources (Baker et al. 2013). In addition to the
anthropogenic sources mentioned previously, nitrogen concentration can also
fluctuate in aquatic ecosystems due to nitrogen fixation, upwelling, and rapid
biological assimilation (Baker et al. 2013). One method of determining the source
of nitrogen is to use stable isotope ratios in organisms. This method often indicates
that anthropogenic sources are significant contributors to nitrogen levels in coastal
waterways. Such is the case in the Yucatán, a peninsula in southeastern Mexico.
Land-based sources of nitrogen pollution in the Yucatán ultimately end up in
the ocean. Seven years of data from Quintana Roo, Mexico, revealed that sewage
alone accounted for 42% of nitrogen values in the biomass of the common sea fan,
Gorgonia ventalina (Baker et al. 2013). The rapid growth and construction
occurring in this area is built upon a karst aquifer, which discharges into cenotes
and surface fractures, ultimately eroding into lagoons (Baker et al. 2013). In these
lagoons, seawater mixes with groundwater, resulting in a transfer of any pollutants
into coral reef habitats. As many residential areas do not have wastewater
treatment, nitrogen can dissipate into groundwater when it rains and end up in the
ocean at levels detectable over 1 km from shore (Baker et al. 2013). Additionally,
local tourism accounts for a large proportion of nitrogen loading into the ocean
(Herrera-Silveira et al. 2004, Baker et al. 2013). For example, some large resorts in
the Yucatán pump sewage directly into the aquifer (Baker et al. 2013). In the
northern Yucatán, shrimp farm effluent at four sites was also a contributing factor
as people fertilize shrimp ponds with nitrates (Herrera-Silveira et al. 2004). It is
therefore unsurprising that nitrogen is polluting coral reef ecosystems. However, it
is less obvious whether this pollution is directly responsible for the decline of
Caribbean coral reefs. For example, the small hard coral and octocoral colonies
found in the Sisal Reefs off the northern Yucatán coast display densities from 0.35
colonies/25 cm2 to 0.96 colonies/25 cm2, signaling that these communities are
under stress (Zarco-Perelló et al. 2013). Based on the large amount of nitrogen
pollution in the area, it is likely that nitrogen is causing this stress. The direct
effects of nitrogen on coral must be investigated to determine if they are severe
enough to account for coral degradation and extinction events.

Calcification

The effect of nitrogen on calcification leads to coral reef degradation. Calcification

is the process by which hard corals build up calcium in the form of calcium
carbonate (CaCO3) and increase skeletal mass. Nitrate level was found to be the
most important factor for degraded Caribbean reef carbonate budgets, with a 10%
increase in nitrate leading to a 33% decline in net carbonate production (Kennedy
et al. 2013). Similarly, the rate of coral growth off the coast of Barbados in
nitrogen-polluted waters was lower than rates from nearby reefs in more pristine
waters (Szmant 2002). Likewise, a study using the hard coral species Montastraea
annularis and Porites porites found that skeletogenesis decreased by 50% in both
species when exposed to nitrate enrichment at levels of 5 and 20 µM, as seen in
Figure 2 (Marubini and Davies 1996). Reduction in skeletal formation is logical as
nitrate addition also causes zooxanthellae density to increase (Marubini and Davies
1996). Higher numbers of these algae lead to a reduction in available carbon for
calcification as the algae utilize carbon in the water for photosynthesis. When
carbonate levels in the water are high, nitrogen does not cause growth reduction,
providing evidence for this competition-based explanation (Marubini and Thake
1999). The competition over inorganic carbon for algal photosynthesis and host
skeletogenesis when nitrate levels are high may be intensified in areas lacking
water movement, where the recharge of CO2 is restricted.
The evidence for nitrogen-based effects on calcification is convincing, but is
not yet complete. Some studies report no change in growth with ammonium or
nitrate enrichment (Szmant 2002), and therefore a consensus on whether nitrogen
always affects calcification has not been reached. It is possible that studies finding
 no effect were confounded
by the presence of high
carbonate levels in the
water. Additionally, one
commonly cited
shortcoming of laboratory
studies is that the nutrient
concentrations used are
much higher than those
actually found at polluted
reefs. However, even the
exceedingly low nitrate
concentration of 1 µM led to
significant effects in some
cases, as seen in Figure 2
(Marubini and Davies
Figure 2. Daily calcification rate (mean ± 1 SD) of Porites 1996). Further studies
porites (n = 32) and Montastrea annularis (n = 18) at four should address whether
different nitrate concentrations. Incubation in photostat elevated CO2 associated
chambers occurred for 40 and 30 days, respectively. (Figure with climate change will
source: Marubini and Davies, 1996) reduce competition for
 
inorganic carbon within
coral reefs, as an availability of carbon for both host and algae may lead to an
increase in growth when excess nitrate is present. If this is true, the combination of
eutrophication and elevated CO2 may actually increase reef growth, particularly if
the coral species are able to utilize bicarbonate (HCO3-) in addition to carbonate
(CO32-), which is typically used by coral. It is possible that the decrease in
carbonate and increase in bicarbonate that occurs when CO2 dissociates into water
will negatively affect coral (Marubini and Thake 1999). However, bicarbonate has
recently been shown to be utilized by coral for calcification and possibly
photosynthesis (Comeau et al. 2013). Therefore, the elevated dissociation of CO2
into the ocean may not be as harmful to reefs as previously believed.

Photopigments

Studies regarding the effect of nitrogen pollution on photosynthesis are severely

lacking. Many studies have found that increased dissolved inorganic nitrogen
(DIN) increases the concentration of chlorophyll a per zooxanthellae and the rate
of photosynthesis (Fabricius 2005). Likewise, chlorophyll a and c2 concentration
increased in each zooxanthellae cell of one hard coral species, causing the coral to
appear darker (Marubini and Davies 1996). Although several studies report
increased photosynthetic rates, none address the implications of these changes or
whether there is a quantifiable limit to the photosynthetic rate achieved. At high
photosynthetic rates, it seems likely that high levels of oxygen could be produced
in the coral’s tissue. Studies addressing this possibility should determine whether
oxygen could reach dangerous levels and whether these levels are affecting coral.
If high photosynthetic rates are not affecting coral, how are coral counteracting
these nitrogen-caused changes? Coral can decrease photosynthetic rate under high
light intensity (Hoegh-Guldberg and Jones 1999), but it is not yet evident whether
these inhibitory mechanisms are also used to decrease the elevated photosynthetic
rates associated with nitrogen pollution.
Because nitrogen directly increases pigments in zooxanthellae, the
concentration of photosynthetic pigments can act as an early-warning indicator for
nitrogen pollution (Fabricius 2005). While abundant macroalgae can also hint at
high nitrogen levels, the presence of macroalgae itself does not necessarily mean
nitrogen levels are high. However, the presence of macroalgae can also cause an
increase in coral pigment concentrations even when nitrogen levels are not high,
making these levels a somewhat unreliable indicator of nitrogen pollution. Low
light levels caused by shading from macroalgae can lead to increased pigment
density in coral as the coral attempt to sustain photosynthetic rates (Fabricius
2011). If macroalgae are not substantial enough in the environment to cause
significant shading and subsequent low-light acclimatization by coral, an increase
in zooxanthellae pigments could signify nitrogen-polluted waters. This represents
another area requiring future research that will reveal more about the interplay
between nitrogen and photosynthesis in coral reef ecosystems.

Rates of Coral Disease

Nitrogen pollution affects rates of coral diseases, which have increased over the
past two decades (Bruno et al. 2003). Infection rate and disease transfer are
accelerated by increased nutrient concentrations in experimentally and naturally
infected coral colonies, possibly because marine fungi and bacteria are nitrogen
limited (Bruno et al. 2003). Two widespread Caribbean coral epizootic diseases
were tested, including aspergillosis, which affects Gorgonia ventalina, and yellow
band disease, which affects the important reef-builders Montastraea annularis and
Montastraea franksii (Bruno et al. 2003). The field experiments occurred on a
fore-reef at Akumal on the Yucatán Peninsula, where yellow band disease occurs
in 4 to 17% of Montastraea species. Higher prevalence, up to 91%, can be found in
other Caribbean reefs (Bruno et al. 2003).
 Similarly, experiments focusing on a major reef-building coral in the
Caribbean, Siderastrea siderea, also provide evidence that nitrogen eutrophication
accelerates coral disease rates (Voss and Richardson 2006). S. siderea was
artificially infected in the laboratory and exposed to nitrate conentrations up to 3
µM, resulting in a doubling of black band disease progression (Voss and
Richardson 2006). Increased nutrient concentrations in situ also doubled the rate of
black band disease progression and coral tissue loss (Voss and Richardson 2006).
This disease occurs worldwide and infects 64 scleractinian species, causing tissue
losses that expose the coral skeleton, which often becomes colonized by
macroalgae (Voss and Richardson 2006). Further experimental studies could be
used to supplement these findings and more in situ observations should investigate
possible correlations between nitrogen-polluted sites and disease rates, especially
since both have likely increased in coastal waters since these studies were
conducted.

Coral-Algal Competition

Algal blooms are increasing across the world due to coastal eutrophication and
have major impacts on coral reefs (Lapointe et al. 2005). When these macroalgae
are not controlled by grazers, even tiny increases in dissolved inorganic nutrients
lead to increased algal productivity (Fabricius 2011). These blooms deplete oxygen
in the water column when they decay and can proliferate so much that they create
enormous algal masses. These masses block sunlight, which is essential for coral
reef survival as coral needs sunlight to perform photosynthesis and keep up with
the energy demands of calcification (Fabricius 2011).
Like many locations in the Caribbean, coral reefs off the coast of Florida
have experienced several macroalgal blooms recently due to nitrogen
eutrophication (Lapointe et al. 2005). High nitrogen conditions are more favorable
for macroalgae, which have rapid growth rates, than for coral (Fabricius 2011).
These blooms compete with coral for space, restrict gas exchange (Fabricius 2011),
and lead to anoxic/hypoxic conditions, which result in the death of hard and soft
corals (Lapointe et al. 2005). The primary source of the nitrogen causing Florida’s
harmful algal blooms is land-based sewage rather than natural upwelling (Lapointe
et al. 2005). This has been attributed to the fact that the highest δ15N values
occurred on shallow reefs, which would be expected if the source was land-based.
Further support involves the finding that NH4+ concentrations are elevated during
non-upwelling periods and are the preferred source of nitrogen for macroalgae, as
opposed to upwelled NO3-. Regardless of the source, it is clear that nitrogen
eutrophication is a major cause of algal blooms, which result in degraded coral
reefs.
 Because macroalgae proliferate in high nitrogen conditions, coral recovery
following disturbances may be low. Coral cover off of Yawzi Point at St. John in
the U.S. Virgin Islands showed that disturbance events can lead to a transition from
coral to macroalgal cover (Edmunds 2002). In a ten-year period, coral cover
declined by more than 50% at Yawzi Point, during which time two hurricanes
affected the reef (Edmunds 2002). Montastraea annularis in particular was
damaged by the storms, which led to reduced reef structure and complexity
(Edmunds 2002). Meanwhile, macroalgal growth increased 12-fold (Edmunds
2002). Replacements such as the one seen at St. John are occurring across the
Caribbean and will likely be exacerbated as nitrogen pollution increases. While
Yawzi is not subject to many local anthropogenic effects relative to other reefs,
reefs that are disturbed by humans have been more strongly affected by the
replacement of coral with macroalgae (Edmunds 2002). As discussed previously,
high light and/or nitrogen conditions allow macroalgae to proliferate much more
rapidly than coral and subsequently block sunlight. Light is essential for the
recruitment of new coral larvae. Light intensity and spectral composition control
the settlement of these larvae, and the reduction in light caused by macroalgae
reduces the depth at which larvae can settle (Fabricius 2011). Low recruitment
rates hinder recovery following disturbance events (Fabricius 2011). Therefore,
algal blooms are detrimental to coral reefs following hurricanes. Further studies
should investigate the role of nitrogen specifically in coral-algal competition
following disturbance events.

Reproduction and Recruitment

Successful reproduction of scleractinian corals, reef builders that generate a hard

skeleton, is critical if reefs are to be maintained throughout time, especially in
frequently disturbed ecosystems. When corals are stressed, they redirect their
energy and resources from reproduction to repair mechanisms or other functions
(Harrison and Ward 2001). Because coral reproduction has a low stress tolerance,
poor water quality impacts the fitness of corals. Gametes of scleractinian corals are
exposed in the water and are therefore vulnerable to pollutants. For example,
Porites porites produced fewer larvae in polluted reefs and had a skewed male to
female sex ratio (2:1) compared to reefs in higher quality water (Harrison and
Ward 2001).
Specifically, terrestrial nitrogen runoff makes it difficult for reefs to recover
from disturbances due to effects on coral reproduction and recruitment. Coral
recruiting species and the number of young recruits decreased with increasing
eutrophication in Barbados reefs (Harrison and Ward 2001). Acroporid corals
(notable framework builders in reefs) have lower fecundity, egg size, fertilization
rates, and embryo development at even very low levels of nitrogen concentration
(1 µM NH4) (Fabricius 2005). Gametes from the brain coral, Goniastrea aspera,
have a significantly lower chance of developing into regular embryos and a higher
chance of being deformed from ammonium concentrations as low as 0.5 µM
(Harrison and Ward 2001). These effects become stronger as concentration
increases. Therefore, reef degradation demonstrated at these slightly increased
nitrogen levels will likely be intensified in reefs exposed to higher levels of land-
based nitrogen pollution.

Conclusions

In this review, the potential contribution of nitrogen eutrophication to observed

coral declines was investigated with particular emphasis on the Caribbean region.
Based on the effects of nitrogen pollution on coral calcification, disease rates,
coral-algal competition, reproduction, and recruitment, eutrophication is a
significant contributor to current declines. Even relatively low nitrogen levels
considerably reduce calcification rates and slow reef growth. More studies
regarding calcification should be conducted with the aim of avoiding confounded
results from the presence of high carbonate levels in water. Calcification research
should also address whether elevated atmospheric CO2 will reduce competition for
inorganic carbon within coral reefs or only harm the reefs through ocean
acidification. Low levels of nitrogen pollution also increase the growth of
macroalgae, which compete with coral for light and space, creating anoxic dead
zones and intensifying reef degradation. The role of nitrogen in coral-algal
competition following disturbance events should be investigated experimentally
and in situ. Excess nitrogen also increases coral epizootic disease rates, leads to
abnormal development, and decreases coral fecundity, egg size, and fertilization
rates. The mechanism underlying nitrogen-driven increases in coral disease rates
should be investigated, and an evaluation of nitrogen-polluted sites should compare
nitrogen levels to disease rates. Consequences due to nitrogen-based changes in
photopigment concentration remain unknown and represent a large knowledge gap
requiring further research.
While several aspects of nitrogen’s effects on coral must still be
investigated, it is clear that nitrogen eutrophication causes detrimental effects that
substantially contribute to coral degradation and extinction events. Current
knowledge of these effects combined with results of the many studies yet to be
performed will provide an abundance of useful information for conservationists
and ecosystem managers in the Caribbean and elsewhere. Immediate action should
be taken to reduce nitrogen loading in coral reef ecosystems in order to sustain
their many services, such as supporting commercial fishing, protecting our coasts,
providing animal protein, promoting tourism, and supplying the ocean with
abundant biodiversity and critical habitat.

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