onearth: As recently as 15 years ago, elkhorn coral, Acropora palmata, was the most common species of coral in the Caribbean. Its tall, antler-like branches provide important habitat for fish and other creatures and help protect beaches from erosion and storm surge by slowing down waves. But today more than 90 percent of elkhorn coral is gone — thanks in large part to a disease called white pox, which rapidly destroys the animals’ tissue, exposing blanched patches of the elkhorn skeleton below. Researchers first discovered white pox in 1996, and though they quickly identified the bacteria responsible, Serratia marcescens, they’ve only now determined where it’s coming from: human sewage.  Read more: Reefs Rife with Disease Monday is good news day.

onearth:

As recently as 15 years ago, elkhorn coral, Acropora palmata, was the most common species of coral in the Caribbean. Its tall, antler-like branches provide important habitat for fish and other creatures and help protect beaches from erosion and storm surge by slowing down waves. But today more than 90 percent of elkhorn coral is gone — thanks in large part to a disease called white pox, which rapidly destroys the animals’ tissue, exposing blanched patches of the elkhorn skeleton below. Researchers first discovered white pox in 1996, and though they quickly identified the bacteria responsible, Serratia marcescens, they’ve only now determined where it’s coming from: human sewage. 

Read more: Reefs Rife with Disease

Monday is good news day.

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