Overexploiting coral reefs: reef blasting in Nauru

Abstract

Environmental Case Studie s Overexploiting Coral Reefs: Reef Blasting in Nauru Ae cf e.tpLlrf .Jtirlft in one f tln?1 ..'or Unolher is herOmtnq ctne of . tlre ftttrJet' env'ironntcn.lal pn;lr/r'in-r irr f he Pattflc, espe' q r.r//y' itr tlre sol.all islanit ir(J(d-( 7'hrs rs dJ uit,s!' study,rtf llt{ trrr|r4a t *tf blasttng etn lhe Nauruan rte f in t/ir:ialc l9S0s Background Coral polyps and coralline algae are the main building components of a reef. The skeletons ofdead coral and other organisms are bound together by coralline algae. New and younE corals grow on dead coral and so help build up a reef. When live coral can no longer occupy the reef sur- face due to exposure to heat during lowtide, the surface of the reef stops growing, However, live coralpolyps . will still help the reef grow.outward. Coral reefs occur around the world in warm sub-tropical or tropical oceans, particularly.on the eastern sides of continents and the western Pacific Ocean. The two main factors required for coral growth are warm t