Author: thesh

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Fathoming the hidden heatwaves that threaten coral reefs

Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. (2023, January 6). Fathoming the hidden
heatwaves that threaten coral reefs. ScienceDaily. Retrieved January 29, 2023 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/01/230106082538.htm

A group of international researchers in collaboration with scientists from Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the UCSD, UCSB, and Cal State recently discovered that a coral bleaching event in Moorea was a result of a passage of anti-cyclonic eddies, or ocean storms, that raised sea levels significantly and caused an underwater heatwave. This bleached and killed coral as the unexpected warm temperatures caused severe stress on them. Through this discovery, researches realized the unreliability of studying surface measurements of water temperatures, and the importance of collecting temperature data across the range of depths that coral reefs occupy.

This discovery is critical for environmental scientists who study marine life and corals because it affects the way we collect data. By focusing more on long term effects and studying wider ranges of depth throughout the ocean, we can better observe patterns and coral reef reactions to changing water temperatures. With better understanding of coral reefs and their reactions to abnormal weather patterns such as anti-cyclonic eddies, we can prepare them for predicted weather conditions and train them to withstand changing environmental factors. This way they stand a stronger chance at survival as global warming becomes increasingly effective.

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The secret to saving coral reefs? Just like with financial investing, diversification is key.

Joy, D (2022, December 12). The secret to saving coral reefs? Just like with financial investing,
diversification is key. USC Dornsife. Retrieved January 28, 2023, from https://dornsife.usc.edu/news/stories/3790/coral-transplants-save-dying-reefs-with-genetic-diversity/

Led by researches at USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, a new study has revealed the key to saving coral reefs dying from climate change, and at its center is diversification. The study examined the environment around the coral and the response from the coral. By planting various types of coral, they found a different results in each coral. While some coral were able to adapt to changing environments, some were unable to adapt and survive, revealing that genetic diversity of transplants is very important. Now, researches will continue ti study the surviving coral and how they are able to adapt and how they affect future coral transplants.

This study brings in more information about the survival of coral reefs, and how we can improve their chances of survival through transplantations. As the study highlights, diversification is key in creating a healthy coral reef, as some may be bleached, but the remaining coral species can continue to provide a healthy habitat for the marine life around it. With this idea in mind, we can know which species of coral have the best chance at survival and plant more of them in warm patches of the ocean.

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Central Pacific Coral Reef Shows Remarkable Recovery Despite Two Warm-Water Events

Koppes, S. (2022, July 06). Central Pacific Coral Reef Shows Remarkable Recovery Despite Two
Warm-Water Events. Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Retrieved January 28, 2023, from https://scripps.ucsd.edu/news/central-pacific-coral-reef-shows-remarkable-recovery-despite-two-warm-water-events

A 10-year study was conducted on coral reefs that were out of reach from human impact. This study revealed that local human activities are the main cause of coral bleaching. When isolated from human populations and activities like overfishing, pollution, and more, coral have much stronger resilience against bleaching. Coral in protected waters and intact ecosytems have a much stronger chance at recovery after bleaching as they are not susceptible to “coastal development, and fresh water runoff containing fertilizers and pesticides all may erode the ability of a reef to recover”. Additionally, the diverse fish populations surrounding it may contribute to the reef’s ability to withstand bleaching.

The resilience at Palmyra gives hope to environmental scientists and the risk of coral extinction and suggests there is still so much to learn about how intact systems are functioning. If we continue to study the patterns and behaviors of intact coral, we can apply the characteristics of their environment to bleached coral in hope of recovering them and preventing further bleaching. As humans wont be changing their habits for the sake of coral, it is our job to advocate for coral conservation and prevent human activities from decreasing their chances of survival.

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Stephen Palumbi Says “Super Reefs” Can Help Save Dying Coral

Barber, G. (2022, September 28). Stephen Palumbi Says “Super Reefs” Can Help Save Dying
Coral. Wired. Retrieved January 26, 2023, from https://www.wired.com/story/rewired-2022-super-reefs/

Stephen Palumbi works as a scientist at Stanford University’s Hopkins Marine Station and has recently been studying ‘Super Reefs’ and how we can use them to strengthen coral and prevent bleaching. While most coral experience bleaching due to heating of the ocean, super reefs are “ diverse, they’re functional, they have a wide variety of corals and fish species throughout”. They have evolved to be able to resist heat and continue as a thriving ecosystem and habitat for marine life. Palumbi’s goal is to study super reefs, and apply the lessons learned to regular coral in hopes of saving and restoring them. Currently, Palumbi and his team are growing super reefs in nurseries, hoping to plant them across global seas.

Palumbi is hard at work, finding ways to restore the beautiful coral reefs of our oceans. The idea of learning from more evolved coral to increase the chances of survival for regular coral seems simple, but involves extensive research of various warm patches of the ocean and juxtaposing the two corals. Bleaching is occurring rapidly as global warming continues to worsen, but if the correct work is done and we learn to apply the evolutinoanry process of super reefs to bleached coral, coral stands a chance at survival. While the work may take a while, I think this is a great idea and opens the possibility of a brighter future for coral reefs across the world.

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Re-carbonizing the sea: Scientists to start testing a Big Ocean Carbon Idea

Hance, J. (2023, January 25). Re-carbonizing the sea: Scientists to start testing a Big Ocean
Carbon Idea. Mongabay Environmental News. Retrieved January 25, 2023, from https://news.mongabay.com/2023/01/re-carbonizing-the-sea-scientists-to-start-testing-a-big-ocean-carbon-idea/

Funded by various organizations and grants, Ocean alkalinity enhancement targets climate change by releasing minerals like crushed olivine into the ocean, sparking a chemical reaction to increase the ocean’s alkalinity. Simultaneously, it traps CO2 from the air and mitigates ocean acidification. However, many OAE poses many risks as it may damage ocean wildlife and ecosystems, but the benefits may outweigh these risks as OAE can allow the ocean to store excess CO2 in the earth’s atmosphere. Field tests and additional research will be done to determine the reliability and safety of OAE. While field tests may have seemingly small impacts, it’s important not to “confuse the environmental impacts that may occur with a controlled field trial with the potential environmental impacts of scaling this to a gigaton scale industry.” Scientists are taking this project very seriously, as it could potentially scale back the impacts of climate change.

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Scientists discover compound in corals shown to fight cancer

Lynn, B. (2022, May 29). Scientists discover compound in corals shown to fight cancer. VOA. Retrieved July 15, 2022, from https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/scientists-discover-compound-in-corals-shown-to-fight-cancer/6591024.html

Off the coast of Florida, a researcher team has discovered a chemical found in coral reefs that can help slow the growth of cancer cells. Because coral are immobile, they are able to develop chemical defenses against other sea life that threaten their survival, and these chemicals have been studied to see if they have any medical uses. This chemical, eleutherobin, was found in soft corals near Australia. Eleutherobin can break down important cell structures, whether it be predators or cancer cells. By studying the genetic code of coral, they were able to replicate the making of eleutherobin. 

With the discovery of this new chemical, a widespread production of cancer treating drugs could be on the rise to changing the future, and soon be on patients bedside tables. It’s inspiring how many lives this could affect, and I think this discovery can bring hope to several patients. It has the possibility to give more time to study cancer and find a cure, give patients more time to spend with loved ones, more time to fight the cancer, etc. Ultimately, this not opens a door to what other compounds and chemicals we can find in the environment that can save lives, but also shows the beauty and important of environmental science, and reveals the massive impact it can have on humans and the world.

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Most Great Barrier Reef coral studied this year was bleached

McGuirk, R. (2022, May 11). Most Great Barrier Reef coral studied this year was bleached. AP NEWS. Retrieved June 10, 2022, from https://apnews.com/article/climate-science-australia-united-nations-corals-0bbcbcf4eaed841a5a72b4d4f3d40587

In Australia, approximately 91% of coral in the Great Barrier Reef, world’s largest coral reef ecosystem, was bleached. Caused by global warming, for years bleaching has always been a massive threat to the health of coral reefs. Coral bleaches itself as a “heat stress response”, however, according to the article, mortality rates remain low as they hope for the coral to recover. Coral bleaching can be prevented through global emission reductions, which can also prevent marine heatwaves. Algae is responsible for the coral’s “kaleidoscope of colors” and feed polyps.  Due to rising ocean temperatures, the algae inside the reefs produce toxins, and when the coral spits out the toxic algae, it simultaneously bleaches itself since there is no more color from the algae. Soon, heat stress leads to the coral dying of starvation. 

 

This article draws attention to the reality of how fast coral is dying. The great barrier reef, responsible for 10% of the worlds coral, being damaged from climate change and rising ocean temperatures reveals the large extent of this global issue. Coral bleaching being given attention from politicians is good and brings hope for a brighter future for coral, as Prime Ministers and Labor Parties have set aims to reduce emissions. I think the publicizing of this issue through politics will raise awareness and advocates in coming generations. 

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Thousands of coral larvae ‘planted’ under offshore wind turbine

Wetzel, C. (2022, June 15). Thousands of coral larvae ‘planted’ under offshore wind turbine. New Scientist. Retrieved July 15, 2022, from https://www.newscientist.com/article/2323369-thousands-of-coral-larvae-planted-under-offshore-wind-turbine/

Marine biologists have found a new way to grow new coral reefs, in an attempt to provide a safe haven for ocean wildlife. By placing coral larvae at the base of offshore turbines, they are giving coral the opportunity to latch onto the turbine structures and have a new habitat to flourish and populate. Tropical waters off the coast of Taiwan would become a safe haven for struggling coral. As opposed to shallower areas, the temperature of water surrounding the wind turbines are more stable due to its depth, which is ideal for coral as they are very sensitive to changes in temperature. 

 

I think this idea has a lot of potential to help coral reefs and their survival. If successful, this project can extend to bridges, oil foundations, and other underwater structures, the possibilities are endless. This group of marine biologists have found a way to help coral reefs avoid warm water bleaching events. Due to its deep location, the wind turbines allow the coral that grow on its structure to stay safe from these bleaching events. However, I wonder if the coral has the possibility to damage the underwater structures, and what adaptations or mitigations could be made to avoid this problem. 

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Enhancing automated analysis of marine soundscapes using ecoacoustic indices and machine learning. Ecological Indicators

Williams, B., Lamont, T. A. C., Chapuis, L., Harding, H. R., May, E. B., Prasetya, M. E., Seraphim, M. J., Jompa, J., Smith, D. J., Janetski, N., Radford, A. N., & Simpson, S. D. (2022, May 20). Enhancing automated analysis of marine soundscapes using ecoacoustic indices and machine learning. Ecological Indicators. Retrieved July 14, 2022, from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1470160X22004575?via%3Dihub

Using new technologies such as the hydrophone, scientists have discovered new ways to assess the health of coral reefs. Located on islands surrounding central Indonesia, scientists created a computer program that listens to the coral and reports back what sounds it hears. The AI collects information on the sound frequencies and volume. Healthy coral attracts animals and supports ecosystems with various creatures living on the reef, therefore complex and cackling-like sounds indicate a healthy coral. However, desolate and quiet sounds reveal that the coral is unhealthy. This information is used to help conservation efforts, as well as to track the progress of projects to rebuild coral. 

 

The AI system has a lot of potential in advancing efforts to rebuild and conserve coral reefs, which is important to focus on as day by day they get closer to extinction. With the damage from carbon gas emissions, oceans are warming quickly, and its acidity is rising as well. Coral reefs are being damaged from the ocean’s threatened health. However, with this new technology, scientists and environmental activists are able to easily locate where damaged coral reefs are, and begin working at a solution. I think with this new AI, coral reefs have more potential of staying healthy and helping to maintain the rest of the ocean and its ecosystems. 

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Exploring the largest ocean reef restoration project in the Americas: ‘one million corals for Colombia’

Quiñones, L. (2022, June 27). Exploring the largest ocean reef restoration project in the Americas: ‘one million corals for Colombia’. Retrieved July 13, 2022, from https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/06/1121292

On San Martin de Pajares Island, Marine Biologist Elvira Alvarado teaches youth volunteers how to plant fragments of coral as a part of the coral reef restoration project: “One Million Corals for Columbia”.  With the goal of planting one million fragments of coral, and restoring 200 hectares of reefs by 2023, this project has lots of pressure, and little time. Extinction of various species of coral is largely caused by disease, predation, climate change, sedimentation from pollution, etc. Through studies of coral reproduction and experimenting with different ways to repopulate coral species, Ms. Alvarado aims to restore the beauty of coral reefs. She has set up a bay coral nursery and uses a technique called Micro Fragmentation to grow and plant new corals throughout Columbia. 

 

This article is inspiring, as it shows how far a genuine passion can take you. Ms. Alvarado made her dream come true through endless effort and research. It reveals that with a goal and a desire for change, youth all over the world can produce changes and help our environment. With her project, more youth were able to understand the importance of what the ocean provides for all of society, and how we can support and help keep our oceans healthy. I think the technique they used to grow new corals should be used more often, as the results prove its efficiency. Since they used eco friendly and recycled materials to build the nurseries, this project can continue to thrive with future generations, supporting the Columbian ocean for decades. Revival of coral reefs brings more fish, leading to more food availability and resurgence human activities in that area. Corals also bring protection from natural floods and storms, as well as various medicines to help with human health. Overall, the revival of coral reefs benefits the ecosystem and humans.