Correction: Spatial variation and antecedent sea surface temperature conditions influence Hawaiian intertidal community structure.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

Detection and impact of sewage pollution on South Kohala's coral reefs, Hawai'i.

Sewage pollution from on-site sewage disposal systems and injection wells is impacting coral reefs worldwide. Our study documented the presence and impact of sewage on South Kohala's coral reefs, on Hawai'i Island, through benthic water quality and macroalgal sampling (fecal indicator bacteria, nutrients, δN macroalgal tissue), NO stable isotope mixing models, water motion measurements, and coral reef surveys. Sewage pollution was moderate on the offshore reef from benthic seeps, and water motion mixed and diluted it across the benthos.

Spatial distribution and sources of nutrients at two coastal developments in South Kohala, Hawai'i.

Nutrient sources to coastal waters with coral reefs are not well-characterized. This study documented spatial distributions of nutrients within coastal waters along two developments with coral reefs, and identified nutrient sources through nutrient mixing plots, δN measurements in macroalgal tissue, and NO stable isotope mixing models. Nutrients decreased from fresh groundwaters to offshore waters, with some surface waters higher in concentrations than benthic ones.

Spatial distribution of sewage pollution on a Hawaiian coral reef.

While sewage pollution is contributing to the global decline of coral reefs, its offshore extent and direct reef impacts from water column mixing and benthic seeps are poorly documented. We addressed this knowledge gap on a Hawaiian coral reef using sewage indicator and benthic cover measurements, macroalgal bioassays, and a pollution scoring tool. Fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) and nutrient concentrations were spatially variable in surface and benthic waters, with shoreline values being highest.

A multi-indicator approach for identifying shoreline sewage pollution hotspots adjacent to coral reefs.

Sewage pollution is contributing to the global decline of coral reefs. Identifying locations where it is entering waters near reefs is therefore a management priority. Our study documented shoreline sewage pollution hotspots in a coastal community with a fringing coral reef (Puakō, Hawai'i) using dye tracer studies, sewage indicator measurements, and a pollution scoring tool.

Small plastic debris changes water movement and heat transfer through beach sediments.

We investigated the physical properties of beaches contaminated with plastic fragments. We compared sediment cores from Hawai'i Island's Kamilo Beach, notable for plastic accumulation, to cores from a nearby beach. Compared to the nearby beach, Kamilo sediments contained more plastics (up to 30.