From sink to source: coral reefs, nutrient dynamics, and water quality

Coral reefs are among the most productive and biodiverse ecosystems on Earth. They provide essential ecosystem services, including habitat for marine life, coastal protection, fisheries, tourism, and cultural value. Yet reefs worldwide are declining due to climate change and local pressures such as pollution, sedimentation, and excess nutrients.

In this thesis, From sink to source: Biogeochemical dynamics along the ocean–reef–land continuum in Curaçao, Virginia Sánchez Barranco investigated how water quality and nutrient dynamics influence coral reefs around Curaçao in the southern Caribbean. By studying the connections between land, coastal bays, the open ocean, and reef ecosystems, her research showed how precipitation-driven wet and dry seasons, ocean circulation, and water exchange through bays shape the distribution of nutrients and suspended particles in coastal waters.

The results show that semi-enclosed bays can alternate between acting as sinks that retain nutrients and sources that release them to nearby reefs, depending on seasonal conditions. Healthy, coral-dominated reefs efficiently recycle nutrients, whereas degraded reefs tend to release them back into the water. These findings help identify reef areas most suitable for conservation and restoration and provide insights for improving coastal management in Curaçao and similar island environments.

Thesis title: From sink to source: Biogeochemical dynamics along the ocean–reef–land continuum in Curaçao

Candidate: Virginia Sánchez Barranco

Supervisor: Gert-Jan Reichard

Co-supervisors: Furu Mienis, Lennart de Nooijer