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National Ocean Service National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Home Education Corals Anthropogenic Threats to Corals

Grounded Ships

grounded ship on coral reef

Ships that become grounded on coral reefs may cause immediate and long-term damage to reefs. A grounded ship may smash hundreds of years worth of coral growth in an instant. Over time, fuel, oil, paints and other chemicals may leak from the ship, continuing to damage the fragile corals as the ship's hull rusts in the harsh marine environment.

Corals Lessons

The National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) includes this resource in its database. NSTA provides educators and students access to Web-based, educationally appropriate science content that has been formally evaluated by master teachers.
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