Coral Reef Bleaching in the Indian Ocean by Alexis Berwald

Cause of coral reef bleaching

988095 — 2024-02-07 16:40:43 UTC

The leading cause of coral reef bleaching is caused by a change in temperature due to climate change. Also, runoff from precipitation can carry pollutants which may bleach some corals near the shore. Another cause of coral reef bleaching is due to a drop in pH levels caused by the ocean absorbing carbon dioxide.

Location of where the problem or issue is occuring

988095 — 2024-02-07 16:41:44 UTC

Coral reef bleaching is occurring in many areas all throughout the ocean. However, the Great Barrier reef, which is the world's largest coral reef system, is being impacted the most.

Effects this has on humans

988095 — 2024-02-07 16:41:57 UTC

Coral bleaching in the Ocean effects peoples' safety because healthy corals absorb the force of waves and storms in oder to keep coastal communities safe. Without them, coastal communities can be in trouble and it may be expensive to build sea walls in replace of corals to keep communities safe. Coral bleaching also reduces catches for fishers, which can cause a food supply shortage on fish.

Predictions of future effects of coral reef bleaching

988095 — 2024-02-07 16:42:16 UTC

One prediction scientists have made of the future effects of coral reefs in the Ocean is the reefs will dissolve in the ocean within the next 100 years. It is also estimated that there will be a 70%-90% decrease of coral reefs due to global warming.

Possible solutions to stop coral reef bleaching in the Ocean

988095 — 2024-02-07 16:43:15 UTC

One solution to stop coral reef bleaching in the Ocean is by conserving water. By doing so, there will be less runoff/wastewater that goes into the ocean. Another solution to prevent coral reef bleaching in the Ocean is to not use pesticides and fertilizers that are chemically enhanced because they may end up in the watershed and go straight into the ocean, effecting and bleaching the coral reefs.

Sources Used

988095 — 2024-02-07 16:58:19 UTC

https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/why-are-coral-reefs-dying#:~:text=A%2070%2D90%20per%20cent,still%20take%20decades%20to%20stabilize.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1877343513001905#:~:text=The%20implication%20from%20the%20scientific,acidic%20seawater%20and%20heavy%20exploitation.

https://www.worldwildlife.org/pages/everything-you-need-to-know-about-coral-bleaching-and-how-we-can-stop-it#:~:text=Small%2C%20daily%20actions%20can%20help,we%20must%20address%20climate%20change.

https://reefresilience.org/stressors/bleaching/bleaching-impacts/#:~:text=Coral%20bleaching%20events%20that%20lead,supply%20and%20associated%20economic%20activities.

https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/coral_bleach.html#:~:text=WHAT%20CAUSES%20BLEACHING%3F,can%20bleach%20near%2Dshore%20corals.

https://www.aims.gov.au/research-topics/environmental-issues/coral-bleaching/coral-bleaching-events#:~:text=Mass%20bleaching%20events%20on%20the,bleaching%20events%20around%20those%20times.

YouTube Video

988095 — 2024-02-08 19:07:08 UTC

Before and after picture of a coral reef

988095 — 2024-02-08 19:12:59 UTC

Bleached coral reef

988095 — 2024-02-08 19:14:30 UTC

Bleached coral reef

988095 — 2024-02-08 19:16:07 UTC

News article

988095 — 2024-02-08 19:17:26 UTC