Oil refinery impacts on coral reef communities in Aruba, NA

From 1925-1985 a transshipping terminal and refinery on the SE coast of Aruba affected the nearshore marine ecosystem through both oil contamination at the harbor and tanker berths, and from disturbance related to shipping, dredging and construction. Reefs adjacent to the refinery exhibited low density and diversity of live corals and abundant dead coral rubble. Periods of construction in the inner harbor and on surrounding spoil islands and high refinery activity corresponded well with periods of reduced coral growth near the refinery. Observations suggest that sedimentation and other physical stress resulted in substantial reductions in environmental quality at the disturbed sites. Coral recruitment at the highly impacted sites showed hope for recovery if these environments are protected from renewed perturbation. -from Authors