Nitrate-Rich Groundwater Inputs To Discovery Bay, Jamaica - A Significant Source Of N To Local Coral Reefs

Authors

CE D'Elia
KL Webb
JW Porter

Document Type

Article

Department/Program

Virginia Institute of Marine Science

Publication Date

1981

Journal

Bulletin of Marine Science

Volume

31

Issue

4

First Page

903

Last Page

910

Abstract

The freshwater aquifer at Discovery Bay, Jamaica, produces subterranean springs and seeps near the reef at the mouth and along the southern and western shorelines of the bay. A strong inverse correlation exists between salinity and N concentration. Undiluted springwater typically contains 80 J.Lg at N per liter or more, primarily as nitrate, but is essentially devoid of P. Input from the springs is enough to reduce the salinity by one to several parts per thousand near these sites and appears to produce a significant enrichment of nitrogen to the bay.

Recommended Citation

D'Elia, CE; Webb, KL; and Porter, JW, Nitrate-Rich Groundwater Inputs To Discovery Bay, Jamaica - A Significant Source Of N To Local Coral Reefs (1981). Bulletin of Marine Science, 31(4), 903-910.
https://scholarworks.wm.edu/vimsarticles/1564