Effects of a sediment plume on a coral reef, Palau, Micronesia

The effects of a sediment plume and sedimentation damage on diverse coral reefs off the Diongradid watershed in Ngardmau, Palau, Micronesia, in October 2005 were documented.Over a 2-week period, sedimentation rates (from sediment traps) and salinity were measured.Damage observed included mortality, sediment anoxia, signs of bleaching and necrosis. Production of mucus in some species seemed to effective remove sediment. To document the effects of a sediment plume and sedimentation damage on diverse coral reefs. Coral species observed to have been affected were Acropora spp., Galaxea fascicularis, massive Porites, Porites rus. Other affected species included sponges, ascidians and Halimeda.