Scientists: Great barrier reef turn white due to warming
Continuing for the second consecutive year, coral bleaching Great Barrier reef can be stopped only by adopting measures to combat global warming, scientists say.
The study of the phenomenon of “whitening” or bleaching of the largest reef on the planet was conducted by a team of scientists from the Australian University of James cook. Scientists came to the conclusion that corals lose their color due to the loss of zooxanthellae — microscopic yellow-green algae that live in the tissues of the coral polyp.
Zooxanthellae are separate organisms living in symbiosis with corals. When the coral is subjected to stress or potentially hazardous exposure, the zooxanthellae leave it. This is what happens with the Great Barrier reef is the second year in a row, scientists believe.
Researchers believe that the process threatens the very existence of the reef
“Climate change is the most serious threat to the Great barrier reef,” — says the opening of one of the scientists, Professor Morgan Pratchett from James cook University.
In 2016, the color lost a record number of individual corals.
As the scientists explain, the loss of color occurs due to the increase in the temperature of the surrounding coral waters. It’s warming because of human activity, as the oceans absorb 93% of the energy produced by people.
White corals can soon become the new normal, warns one of the scientists conducted the study, Professor Terry Hughes.
“It all depends on what will the Australian and other world government to prevent a further increase in temperature”, — agrees with his colleague Morgan Pratchett.
Scientists warn that the recovery of corals covering the layer of algae will take at least ten years
But even more time will it take for the Great Barrier reef grew new corals to replace already destroyed.