Increased sediment supply to the Great Barrier Reef will not increase sediment accumulation at most coral reefs

The rate of terrigenous sediment supply to the central Great Barrier Reef ( GBR) coastline has probably increased in the last 200 years due to human im pact on the catchments of central Queensland. This has led some researchers and environmental managers to conclude that corals within the GBR are unde r threat from increased turbidity and sedimentation. Using geological data and information on sedimentary processes, we show that turbidity levels and sediment accumulation rates at most coral reefs will not be increased, bec ause these factors are not currently limited by sediment supply.