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Coral reef restoration can reduce coastal contamination and pollution hazards

January 25, 2025

Coral reef restoration can reduce the wave-driven flooding for coastal communities. However, this protection has yet to be assessed in terms of the reduced risk of flood-driven environmental contamination. Here we provide the first high-resolution valuation of the reduction of flood-related land-based environmental pollution provided by potential coral reef restoration. Along Florida’s 460 km-long coral reef-fringed coastline, coral reef restoration could reduce the risk of sewage and petrochemical contamination by preventing the flooding of petroleum storage tank systems (-9%), onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems (-4%), and wastewater treatment plants (-10%). The present value of critical infrastructure protection and contamination prevention benefits provided by coral reef restoration is $3,413,503, with some areas exceeding $1,500,000/km. Annually, 48,403 U.S. gal of petrochemicals, 10,404 GPD of wastewater treatment capacity, equivalent to $281,435, could be protected from flooding, demonstrating that coral reef restoration can provide environmental risk reduction and previously undocumented additional socioeconomic benefits.

Publication Year 2025
Title Coral reef restoration can reduce coastal contamination and pollution hazards
DOI 10.1038/s43247-025-02019-4
Authors Marina Rottmueller, Curt Storlazzi, Fabian Frick
Publication Type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Series Title Communications Earth & Environment
Index ID 70262913
Record Source USGS Publications Warehouse
USGS Organization Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center
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