Soil pollution threatens Bali's precious coral reefs<\/p>\n
By I Wayan Juniarta<\/p>\n
DENPASAR, Bali (JP): Bali's world famous coral reefs,
\nincreasingly important in attracting tourists to the paradise
\nisland, are being threatened by soil pollution, according to
\npreliminary research by the World Wide Fund for Nature's (WWF)
\nWallacea Program.<\/p>\n
A WWF team of international scientists, who conducted the
\nresearch, presumed that some of the pollution was caused by the
\nexcessive use of phosphorous and potassium fertilizers by
\nBalinese rice farmers.<\/p>\n
\"It is still too soon to draw definitive conclusions from this
\nresearch. However, the initial findings strongly suggest that the
\ncoral reefs are in a serious condition due to the impact of soil
\npollution, including agricultural runoff,\" deputy director of WWF
\nIndonesia's Wallacea Program Ketut Sarjana Putra said last week.<\/p>\n
He said the team was still continuing the study.<\/p>\n
Soil-based pollution is one of the major threats to coral
\nreefs, besides the crown-of-thorn sea star (Acanthaster plancii),
\nwhich in 1997 destroyed most of Bali's northern coastal coral
\nreefs. Government officials, environmental activists, tourism
\noperators and local fishermen killed at least 800,000 crown-of-
\nthorn during a battle to protect the coral reefs.<\/p>\n
The WWF team comprises Ketut Sarjana Putra, Ghislaine Llewllyn
\nfrom the University of Connecticut in the United States and Jim
\nKremer and Richard Murphy of Ocean Future Society.<\/p>\n
Earlier this month, the team conducted a significant
\ncomparative study on the condition of coral reefs in waters
\nlocated close to major rice-growing areas with those located far
\nfrom the areas.<\/p>\n
After diving and observing at least 13 different sites around
\nNusa Penida island, Candidasa, Sanur and Amed, the team concluded
\nthat many of Bali's coral reefs are now in a dilapidated
\ncondition.<\/p>\n
Some coral reefs are being destroyed by \"bomb fishing\", coral
\nbleaching and crown-of-thorn outbreaks. The rapid growth of algae
\nalso destructs numerous coral reefs in the island's waters.<\/p>\n
\"We took 50 algae tissue samples from reefs and rivers to
\ndetermine if the growth of algae was linked to fertilizer
\nrunoff,\" Sarjana Putra commented, adding that those samples would
\nbe sent to a a laboratory in the United States for further
\nscientific investigation.<\/p>\n
He explained that fertilizer runoff resulted in excessive
\nnutrient levels which had harmful effects on both the freshwater
\nand marine ecosystems.<\/p>\n
\"Coral reefs, adapted to low nutrient conditions, are
\nparticularly sensitive and vulnerable,\" he explained.<\/p>\n
The vulnerable coral reefs trigger other marine species such
\nas algae to grow faster, occupying the living space of the reefs.
\nExcessive nutrients can also cause toxic algal blooms, which can
\nkill fish and make shellfish poisonous to eat. And it also
\ntriggered the outbreak of the crown-of-thorns, which eat the
\ncoral.<\/p>\n
\"Actually, the algae and reefs have a mutually beneficial
\nrelationship. But, if excessive nutrient level takes place this
\nharmonious relationship will be destroyed. An excessive
\nphosphorous level, for instance, make reefs unable to absorb
\ncalcium from the water,\" Murphy added.<\/p>\n
Previously, in different research conducted from 1997 to 1998,
\nan American anthropologist, Stephen Lansing, in collaboration
\nwith I Wayan Alit Artha Wiguna of Bali's Research Institute on
\nAgricultural Technology (IP2PT), discovered that much of the
\nphosphorous and potassium Balinese farmers apply to their rice
\npaddies was not really required.<\/p>\n
\"We found that the ground water emanating from the volcanic
\nsoil of Bali is naturally rich in nutrients essential for rice
\ngrowth, so there is no actual need for the application of manmade
\nfertilizers,\" Lansing said.<\/p>\n
Lansing, who is well-known for his in-depth work on Balinese
\ntraditional rice-growing culture and institutions, added that the
\nfindings of his research had been confirmed by several
\ntraditional irrigation organizations, subak, in Tegalalang,
\nGianyar.<\/p>\n
\"Those organizations have stopped using certain fertilizers
\nthat contain nitrogen. That action did not affect the well-being
\nof their rice or paddy fields. Presently, most Balinese subak
\nenjoy a good harvest twice a year.<\/p>\n
Both Lansing and the WWF team urged the central and provincial
\ngovernment to critically review the current agricultural policy
\nthat requires the application of fertilizers with a high level of
\nphosphorous and potassium.<\/p>\n
The application of the fertilizers should be reduced to better
\nsuit local conditions, otherwise Balinese farmers will suffer a
\ntremendous loss and the island's coral reefs will be in great
\ndanger.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/soil-pollution-threatens-balis-precious-coral-reefs-1447893297",
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