1. Coral Reefs of Costa Rica
How Pollution Affects the Coral Reefs

2. Costa Rican Coral Reefs

3. What is a coral? A “coral” is actually a “coral colony”
Rocky limestone base
Surface is covered by thousands of tiny coral animals, called “polyps”
Polyps are filled with microscopic algae

4. Anatomy of a coral polyp
Each polyp looks like a tiny sea anemone
Ring of stinging tentacles around a central mouth
Rests in a “cup” on the surface of the colony
Where is the coral skeleton?

5. What do corals eat?
Like a sea anemone, the polyp can capture small prey (mostly zooplankton) with its tentacles
Also get nutrition from a symbiotic relationship with zooxanthellae….

6. What are zooxanthellae?
Algae that live in the coral polyp’s surface layer
Algae get nutrients and a safe place to grow
Corals get oxygen and help with waste removal
Corals also get most of their food from the algae

7. Benefits of Coral Reefs
Fish live in the coral.
Protects coastal area from storms and hurricanes.
Remove toxins from the water.
Recreation for humans.

8. What turns the coral white?
Healthy coral with algae
Bleached coral with no algae
- As a stress response, corals expel the symbiotic zooxanthellae from their tissues
- The coral tissue is clear, so you see the white limestone skeleton underneath

9. What can stress a coral? Pollution Bacteria
High turbidity from coastal runoff, cruise ships, or hurricanes
High & Cold water temperatures
Poll answer before this

10. Examples of Damage to Reefs
Anchors
Humans
Cruise Ships
Pollution

11. Corals can begin to recover after a few weeks
Can corals recover?
Corals may eventually regain color by repopulating their zooxanthellae
Algae may come from the water column
Or they may come from reproduction of the few cells that remain in the coral
Corals can begin to recover after a few weeks

12. What Can We Do To Help? Stop Pollution
Protect Reefs From Damage By Humans
Create Artificial Reefs

13. Artificial Reefs
Reef Balls are positioned to create an artificial reef.
Coral starts to grow and fish move in.
A new reef begins to form.

14. Healthy Reefs Again

15. Fish Tank Project
Create your own artificial reef in the classroom.

16. Clinton Lake Project Water source is the Wakarusa river
Located 1 mile West of Lawrence, KS
Built to help with flood control
Constructed and operated by Army Corps of Engineers

17. What we get from lakes Recreation
Boating, fishing, swimming, camping, hiking
Habitats for marine life and water fowl
Water supply
Flood control

18. How we damage Clinton Lake
Littering
Fish waste
Agriculture Run-off
Contaminates from Storm Sewers
Air Pollution

19. How can we make a difference?
Don’t throw any thing in the water.
Don’t put trash the land by the water.
Reduce the amount of harmful chemicals used in and around your house.
Pick-up trash along roads that may wash into rivers and streams.