Coral reefs are dying and we hear it through the media everywhere and so in this article I intend to explain the reasons why this is happening, specifically a phenomena called coral bleaching which is one of the many causes coral reefs have been dying. I'm sure you've heard of coral reefs and how they are these amazing, beautiful structures in our oceans and how important they are for the conservation of our planet. And I am also sure that you have been told that they are dying and we need to change our ways to preserve coral reefs right? The causes for coral bleaching and why coral reefs are dying in general are not only because of human activity, but many other contributions. But have you ever wondered what are the way that coral reefs are dying? Well, the reasons mostly come down to human activity and one indirect way that us humans are harming and killing coral reefs are by coral bleaching. Coral bleaching is when the temperatures changes in the ocean, the amount of light, or even in the nutrients being received cause the coral reef to be stressed and to expel the symbiotic algae living on their tissue which then causes the "coral" to turn an unhealthy white color [1].
However, coral bleaching not only happens due to water temperature changes, but also happens because of runoff and pollution, overexposure to sunlight, and extreme low tides[1]. Runoff and pollution happens when storm generated or in extreme cases like a hurricane, dilute the ocean water at a very rapid pace causing the runoff that contains pollutants to reach the coral reefs[1]. Moreover, overexposure to sunlight can also bleach coral reefs especially in coral reefs that live in shallow water, this can explain that although sunlight is great, it is best in moderation such as in the case of human beings as well too much can cause skin cancer, etc[1]. Further, the last cause of coral bleaching is because of extreme low tides, this causes the coral reefs to be exposed to too much air than they are used to which deters the coral reef, again the ones that exist on shallow waters[1]. Primarily, coral bleaching happens when water temperatures are too high or just warmer than normal, but can also happen when the water temperature is more cold than the average temperature [1].
In fact, in the year of 2005 the U.S lost almost half of their coral reefs due to unusual warm water temperatures and this happened in the Caribbean specifically the coral reefs located in the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico [1]. On the contrary, in the year of 2010, the Florida Keys water temperatures dropped so low causing the water to be colder than normal which caused corals to be bleached and eventually just die[1] . It is very important to know that coral reefs can survive coral bleaching as it just harms them, but in very extreme situations such as the situations mentioned previously, coral bleaching can lead to death [1]. Furthermore, very recent research released just as of todays date, April 6, 2020, has shown that the worlds biggest coral reef which is in Australia, also known as the Great Barrier Reef, has shown that extremely warm or quote "hot" temperatures are bleaching the Great Barrier Reef [2].
Additionally, the scientist compares the damage that has been done as that of an X-ray of a dead patient, leaving the worlds most largest and beautiful coral reef with a frightening as well as saddening estranged color of white that can be seen not only in the corals but also in the water and the air [2]. According to The Washington Post's article released just today as well, this is the most widespread and mass bleaching event on record that scientist predicted this year and feared the realization of [3]. Surveys that have been conducted by scientists at Australia’s James Cook University and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority show that these hot summer with extremely hot temperatures have caused the Great Barrier Reef to deter in all senses, especially the marine ecosystems and the effects that it has in turn to all life in its generality, which will then take a long time to recuperate considering the difficult circumstances that the world is facing currently due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic [3].
- ^ a b c d e f g h i US Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. "What is coral bleaching?". oceanservice.noaa.gov. Retrieved 2020-04-07.
- ^ a b Cave, Damien (2020-04-06). "Great Barrier Reef Is Bleaching Again. It's Getting More Widespread". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-04-07.
- ^ a b Stone, Maddie (2020-04-06). "Great Barrier Reef suffers its most widespread mass bleaching event on record". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2020-04-07.