Findings from the project “Contribution to the understanding of environmental conditions in shallow reefs off northern Cuba using indicator microorganisms” were recently presented during a scientific workshop in Havana, according to information published on the website of the Camaguey Environmental Research Center (CIMAC).
The research, presented by PhD. Sandra Loza Alvarez of the Institute of Marine Sciences (ICIMAR), examined 12 reefs along Cuba’s northern coast by analyzing 63 water and sediment samples collected at depths ranging from five to 18 meters.
The areas evaluated include Santa Lucia, on the northern coast of Camaguey, and Cayo Coco, in the neighboring territory of Ciego de Avila—both of which are key to understanding the environmental conditions affecting coral ecosystems in this part of the country.
The study identified warning signs linked to the presence of bacteria of the genus *Vibrio*. According to the reported findings, these bacteria accounted for 48.5 percent of the total heterotrophic bacteria in Cayo Coco and 32 percent at the site identified as Santa Lucua-Pinar del Rio. Such microorganisms are associated with various coral diseases.
Additionally, researchers detected potentially harmful dinoflagellates and cyanobacteria at several sampling sites. The proliferation of these organisms can be linked to imbalances in nutrient availability and thermal stress, and may also promote algal blooms or the production of toxins.
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