Our World

Dramatic Decrease of World's Coral

Because of our recent discussions in class about the Caribbean, I thought that this article would hit home a bit. Researchers fear that nearly half of the world’s coral will be depleted within 25 years. These fragile reefs are home to numerous marine animals and plants. Pollutants from the coast could be to blame. This pollution comes from coastal run-off, carrying particles from construction sites, as well as toxins from boat paints. Also, global warming is blamed for this depletion. The Caribbean and Gulf Mexico director of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says that the oceans are like chemistry class. You mix some chemicals and nothing happens. But when you add heat, sudden things start to happen. Global warming is blamed for causing a lot of stress on the coral. When the oceans become warmer than average temperatures, the reefs loose their pigment, making them more vulnerable to disease. This was the case in 2005 for the U.S. Virgin Islands. After 3 months of abnormal sea temperatures, 47 percent of the coral in 31 acres of researched areas were depleted. And this year, the Caribbean nearly avoided coral depletions when sea temperatures approached dangerous levels. Scientists say that the Virgin Islands are likely at their lowest levels in recorded history.

However, global warming isn’t the only reason for coral’s depletion. Pollutants and sediments from run-off causes numerous problems. Chemicals kill of the coral, and when sediments settle onto the coral, they build up and block sunlight. Also, fleshy, green algae can build up on coral, which then competes with coral for sunlight.

With all these causes and more, estimates have been made. They claim that around 60 percent of the world’s coral will die in the next quarter century. Not to mention that 30 percent of the world’s coral has died in the past 50 years, plus 30 percent more are severely endangered. These problems will severely affect the environment, as well as the local economy. With the depletion in reefs, the number of tourists that come for diving will decrease. Thus causing even more problems for the Caribbean’s economies, considering that a majority of the income is from tourism.

Coral Reef Depletion

posted by Anonymous @ 10/26/2006 10:34:00 PM