Phosphorous levels in coral reef systems located close to shorelines have increased over the past few decades according to a study conducted by the Research School of Earth Sciences and the Research School of Biology at ANU.
The phosphorous increase can be attributed to an increased discharge of fertiliser into surrounding waters, resulting in deteriorating water quality, reduced coral growth, and deaths of coral colonies.
The information was gathered by analysing the coral skeletons, which have annual growth bands similar to trees.
Read more at Australian National University