Description: Construction along coasts, inshore construction, mining, logging, and farming along coastal rivers can all lead to erosion.

Effect: As a result, particles end up in the ocean and cover the reefs. This ‘smothers' the coral and deprives it of the light that it needs to survive.

Solution: Sedimentation is mostly our fault. Construction workers can't really help it if a tiny bit goes in, but more than a little goes in, and they just overlook it. Sometimes the chemicals they use aren't even necessary. It might cost a little bit more money, but the workers, businesses, and people that live there can definitely reduce the amount of pollution and sedimentation that gets into the ocean.