Near reefs, microbial mix dictated by coral and algae
Nutrients alone don’t explain which bacteria dominate
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.sciencenews.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/ts_coral_feat.jpg?fit=860%2C460&ssl=1)
INVISIBLE HORDES Bacteria live in the waters above coral-dominated reefs, such as this one in the Pacific Ocean’s Line Islands. But if algae and seaweed take over a reef, the mix of microbes changes and may include bacteria that can damage coral.
Jennifer Smith