The research examines the Río Loco watershed and Bahía de Guánica, focusing on sediment erosion impacting coral reefs. Excess sediment harms water quality and marine habitats, necessitating identification of its sources for effective restoration.
Scientists utilized strontium (Sr) isotopes as a geological fingerprint to trace sediment origins. By analyzing the ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios in stream sediments, they identified contributions from various landscapes. The findings revealed that serpentinite-rich upland areas, linked to former coffee farming, contributed about 71% of the sediment, while basalts from the foothills accounted for 21% and the coastal plain contributed 8%. Notably, other potential sources, like a former wetland and a tributary undergoing restoration, were not significant during the dry season.
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