Far offshore, scientists find fresh evidence of human harm to reefs

By: Elise Plunk

Outlets: Louisiana Illuminator

Published: September 15, 2026

Words: 1,035

Last Updated: 2 days, 19 hours ago

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An isolated reef off the coast of Louisiana and Texas holds within its corals a record of Earth’s history, and scientists are reading it to understand how nutrients from the Mississippi River are affecting the reef’s health amid rising threats to corals around the globe.

At 80 to 125 miles off the Gulf Coast lies a little-known, impressively healthy coral reef ecosystem known as Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary. It consists of 17 …

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