The majority of the larger sediment grain
sizes are deposited within a few kilometers of a river'smouth, whereas
fine grain sizes can be carried over longer distances. High sedimentation
rates may damage exposed coral tissue within a few days and low
sedimentation rates can reduce photosynthesis rates in corals (Riegl
and Branch, 1995; Philipp and Fabricius, 2003). Coral degradation is
not only dependent on the quantity and duration of sedimentation,
but is also strongly dependent on sediment types and environmental
conditions. Low sedimentation rates, when combined with transparent
exopolymer particles, cause mortality of coral recruits (Fabricius
et al., 2003). Exposure to sediments in a few days may cause longterm
impacts in coral populations and inhibits coral recovery following
a disturbance. Therefore several near shore coral communities may
potentially shift forwards assemblages dominated by sediment tolerant
coral species (Sofonia and Anthony, 2008).