Sediment traps put in Cebu City reef

CEBU, Philippines — New sediment traps have been installed at strategic areas within the Cebu City reef.

According to those behind the City’s Reef Rehabilitation Initiative, this is part of a sedimentation rate study to establish a marine protected area at the site.

An environmental journal suggested the need for local management action to address coral-reef stressors can improve reef health and mitigate the effects of global climate change.

“Coastal development and runoff lead to sedimentation, which directly impacts coral recruitment, growth, mortality, and the ecosystem services that coral reefs provide,” a review in BioMed Central said.

The sediment traps were installed by a team of divers from Bantay Dagat led by newly-appointed chairman Ulysses Fernandez, together with CTU marine biologist Joed Caballero, and volunteers from the Knight Stewards of the Sea, Inc.

Late last month, divers from Bantay Dagat also assisted technical personnel from CTU in retrieving samples obtained in the city reef.

The retrieval and analysis of the samples is part of an ongoing sedimentation rate study that is being done with assistance from CTU as part of an April 30, 2021 cooperation agreement signed through the efforts of then Cebu City councilor and now acting Mayor Raymond Garcia.

Determining the rate and volume of how solid particulates or sediment descends upon and accumulates in the Cebu City Reef is crucial in refining plans for its rehabilitation accordingly.

High concentration of suspended particulates or sediment interferes with the filter-feeding activities of coral polyps. This also alters the quantity and quality of light available for photosynthesis, which is said to be essential for corals like the Sinularia species, which has a symbiotic relationship with photosynthetic zooxanthella, its major energy source. — (FREEMAN)