Impacts on corals

Most of the coral reef of Singapore are situated in the southern islands. They support our rich marine life that constitutes of 250 species of hard corals, over 120 species of sponges, and an uncountable number of species of reef fish, nudbranchs, gorganians , and other invertebrates (National Parks Board, 2014).

A compilation of marine life in Singapore’s reefs. (https://www.nparks.gov.sg/biodiversity/our-ecosystems/coastal-and-marine/coral-reefs)
Rich reefs of Raffles Lighthouse
Rich reefs at Raffles Lighthouse. (https://www.flickr.com/photos/wildsingapore/2238264464/in/photostream/)

Pristine Reefs of Raffles Lighthouse
Pristine Reefs at Raffles Lighthouse. (https://www.flickr.com/photos/wildsingapore/2238239998/in/photostream/)


Intertidal corals can be killed by the surface oil they are in direct contact with. Lighter oil components, which are most toxic, affects the deeper lying corals. Further, corals in the deep water can be smothered by the heavier oils that sink to the seabed after bonding with sediments in the water.

In 2016, the oil spill site was near the Live Firing Island, where Singapore’s best and untouched reefs are. The marine ecosystem at this island is rare and so are its coastal plants.

If the oil spill were to wash ashore these areas, these ecosystems will be affected, and this will have devastating consequences to Singapore’s biodiversity.