Maui corals keep a record of human pollution

What BBN said about it

1. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorCorals off Maui are carrying a record of human pollution in their tissue, and researchers found twenty-five contaminants from cosmetics, medicines and farm runoff, Mongabay reports.

2. 

   Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorTwenty-five? In one coral?

3. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorResearchers took three hundred eighty samples from sixteen reef sites along about forty-three miles of coast, and three of the five most affected sites were near wastewater treatment plants.

4. 

   Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorI'd call that a coastline with a very open disclosure policy. The corals are simply being transparent about the neighbourhood.

5. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThe coral didn't volunteer it. Scientists went in with a hammer and a chisel. Now they say a needle will do.

6. 

   Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorWhich is a much gentler way to take a statement.

7. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThe university says the more affected corals had lower energy and nutrient reserves, so they're more vulnerable to warming or acidic oceans.

8. 

   Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorSure, but that's a reef managing its energy budget. Fewer reserves, leaner operation, very forward-looking.

9. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThe coral kept the receipts. We brought the hammer.