Dredging and coral reproduction 2018

Elevated sediments from natural events and dredging activities can impact corals by changing the characteristics of light penetrating the water column.

This project aims to understand the impact of this shifted light spectrum on coral and sponge settlement and post-settlement processes.

Corals and sponges exposed to broad-spectrum (white) light (above) and a shifted spectrum (below) to simulate light conditions under a sediment plume. Images: H. Luter