Submarine groundwater discharge on coral reefs
On tropical volcanic islands, water runs down into freshwater springs, eventually bubbling up from the ground and flowing onto fringing coral reef ecosystems as submarine groundwater discharge (SGD). While SGD is a natural phenomenon, it can also transport anthropogenic pollutants, posing risks to both reef health and the drinking water of island inhabitants. In collaboration with the Silbiger Lab, my research has investigated how groundwater influences ocean chemistry and the ecological functioning of coral reefs.
Selected Publications
Nutrient subsidies restructure coral reef dissolved carbon fluxes via biogeochemical cascades
Media
Veins of an Island: The below documentary on our research was narrated by traditional knowledge scholar Teurumereariki Hinano Murphy. Directed, shot, and edited by Dr. Shireen Rahimi.
