Carbery, Kelly K.

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    A case study of Irgarol contamination in coastal environments: The case of Caribbean waters
    (2006) Carbery, Kelly K.; Otero Morales, Ernesto; College of Arts and Sciences - Sciences; Corredor, Jorge; Morell, Julio; Aponte, Nilda E.; Department of Marine Sciences; Grove, Kurt
    Coral reefs are amongst the most biologically diverse habitats on earth, which, in addition to their ecological importance, are significant sources of sea food, nursery grounds for many fisheries and a reservoir of biochemicals for use as medicines (Bryant et al., 1998). They also play a major role in coastal protection and are the basis of many economically important tourist industries. The extraordinary productivity of coral reef ecosystems is itself a reflection of the photosynthetic contributions of the corals’ endodermal symbiotic microalgae (zooxanthellae) to the host for growth and reproduction (Muscatine, 1990). Any novel contaminant that inhibits symbiont photosynthesis could undermine one of the cornerstones of these biologically and economically important marine habitats with serious consequences. The potential ecological effect of Irgarol 1051® and other “booster biocide” compounds, in freshwater and marine environments, has not yet been studied in great detail. Comparative data for such compounds in marine systems are needed to clarify the contribution of antifoulant use to environmental concentrations and distributions. Without these data it is difficult to confidently evaluate environmental risk. Clearly, additional research is required to further investigate distribution of these compounds and their potential effects on the corals. Our work provides important new data, which unequivocally establish Irgarol 1051® distributions in marine systems outside temperate coastal regions. This study incorporates chemical assays to identify patterns of contamination in the Northeastern Caribbean, providing the basis for ecological risk assessment for resource managers.