| Abstract: | The vitality of Caribbean coral reefs has undergone a continual state of decline since the late 1970s, a period of time coincidental with large increases in transatlantic dust transport. It is proposed that the hundreds of millions of tons/year of soil dust that have been crossing the Atlantic during the last 25 years could be a significant contributor to coral reef decline and may be affecting other ecosystems. Benchmark events, such as near synchronous Caribbean-wide mortalities of acroporid corals and the urchin Diadema in 1983, and coral bleaching beginning in 1987, correlate with the years of maximum dust flux into the Caribbean. Besides crustal elements, in particular Fe, Si, and aluminosilicate clays, the dust can serve as a substrate for numerous species of viable spores, especially the soil fungus Aspergillus. Aspergillus sydowii, the cause of an ongoing Caribbean-wide seafan disease, has been cultured from Caribbean air samples and used to inoculate sea fans. |
| Genre: | Article |
| ProdID: | 70022061 |
| Citation Author: | Shinn, E. A.; Smith, G. W.; Prospero, J. M.; Betzer, P.; Hayes, M. L.; Garrison, V.; Barber, R. T. |
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| Citation End Page: | 3032 |
| Citation Issue: | 19 |
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| Citation Language: | English |
| Citation Larger Work Title: | Geophysical Research Letters |
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| Citation Number Of Pages: | 4 |
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| Citation Search Results Text: | African dust and the demise of Caribbean coral reefs; 2000; Article; Journal; Geophysical Research Letters; Shinn, E. A.; Smith, G. W.; Prospero, J. M.; Betzer, P.; Hayes, M. L.; Garrison, V.; Barber, R. T. |
| Citation Start Page: | 3029 |
| Citation Volume: | 27 |
| Citation Year: | 2000 |
| Type: | citation/reference |
| Text: | African dust and the demise of Caribbean coral reefs; 2000; Article; Journal; Geophysical Research Letters; Shinn, E. A.; Smith, G. W.; Prospero, J. M.; Betzer, P.; Hayes, M. L.; Garrison, V.; Barber, R. T. |
| URL (THUMBNAIL): | http://pubs.er.usgs.gov/thumbnails/outside_thumb.jpg |
| Date Other: | Sat, 1 Jan 2000 00:00 -0600 |
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