Introduction : marine communities respond differently to pollution in the tropics than at higher latitudes / R.E. Johannes and Susan B. Betzer -- Pollution and degredation of coral reef communities / R.E. Johannes -- The response of mangroves to man-induced environmental stress / William E. Odum and R.E. Johannes -- Tropical sea grass ecosystems and pollution / J.C. Zieman -- Effects of thermal pollution on tropical-type estuaries, with emphasis on Biscayne Bay, Florida / J.C. Zieman and E.J. Ferguson Wood -- Biological impact of a large-scale desalination plant at Key West, Florida / Richard H. Chesher.