Written by Jan Kawczyński
UNVEILING CORAL BLEACHING: THE GHOSTLY TRANSFORMATION AND ITS UNDERWATER MECHANISMS?
Coral bleaching is a process where corals lose their natural, beautiful colours and become white. This does not mean they automatically die but they cannot survive long in this condition. They become vulnerable and more susceptible to diseases and mortality.
Photo by Przemysław Zyber
UNDER PRESSURE: UNVEILING THE STRESSORS ON CORAL REEFS
The process of coral bleaching starts when corals are exposed to stress. Its main cause is increased water temperature due to climate change. Water pollution or changes in water’s acidity may also stress corals. Corals live in water with a strict acidity level, typically between 8 to 8.5 on the pH scale. When carbon dioxide gets enters ocean water, it can easily change the water’s acidity. When the pH scale decreases, corals start to bleach. Extensive precipitation can stress corals as it rapidly dilutes ocean water, carrying pollutants. Corals in shallow waters can be affected by extensive solar radiance.
CORAL CRISIS: UNMASKING THE DOMINO EFFECT OF BLEACHING
Firstly, when corals die, fish lose their home, potentially destroying entire ecosystems. Coral bleaching might result in excessive fish migrations in search for a place where they can hide are rest, which can lead to big fish clusters. This damages the food chain and some carnivorous animals such as sharks can starve. In addition, big fish clusters might result in overpopulation in certain sea regions, contributing to overfishing and illegal fishing practises like using dynamites, unintentionally destroying coral reefs.
Secondly, coral reefs protect people from natural disasters like coastal erosion and flooding. This is because water hits corals first and lowers its impact on the coast. This might barely damage coral reefs but in the end it will help to preserve the landscape as natural as it can be. Thirdly, corals absorb and reproduce nearly one third of carbon dioxide generated on the Earth. When they bleach, they stop absorbing it. This means that our atmosphere will change its composition and contain more carbon dioxide than it is healthy for us, humans and other animals.
Lastly, when corals change their colour, they become white, reducing tourism in places like Indonesia, Mozambique, or the Caribbean, less tourist will come to see them. This means that less people can profit from tourism in those areas which might lead to impoverishment of the society. Additionally, it might result in other countries or corporations losing interest in investing in those poor countries because of them not being economically working out. We must bear in mind that corals generate over half of Earth’s oxygen, but some scientists estimate that corals might even produce 80% of oxygen supplies on Earth.
Photo by Przemysław Zyber
Living on our planet would be extremely dangerous for all species if the amount of oxygen produced by corals drops drastically.
PRESERVING CORAL REEFS: STRATEGIES FOR ACTION
There are many everyday behaviours that can help protect coral reefs. Global warming is the main threat to corals and we can do our small steps to help to prevent it. We should reduce electricity use by turning off unnecessary lights or using energy efficient appliances, unplug electronic devices. We can use recycled items, reduce plastic, use re-usable bags for shopping, multi-use caps for drinking etc. We can ride a bike or walk instead of using cars. We can start using electric or hybrid cars and switch to renewable energy. We can use public transport. We can try to reduce carbon print while travelling. We should be conscious consumers – use sustainable and ethical food. We can also share our knowledge of the above, raise awareness, join clean up actions etc.
Photo by Przemysław Zyber
URGENCY IN ACTION: PRESERVING CORAL REEFS FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS
Understanding the process of coral bleaching and its effects is crucial for preserving coral reefs and our ecosystem. It's imperative that we focus on saving coral reefs before it's too late.
Coral Operation Rescue Project 