KoraAnnotation4

= Coral Reef Alliance (2010) “Threats to Coral Reefs” [] = = = = CORAL is a non-profit organization. They were started in 1984 and are now working in 6 endangered coral reef locations. Their mission involves uniting communities to save the reefs, so that one day, coral reefs will thrive. = = This article is all about threats to coral reefs. The main hazards include ocean acidification, destructive fishing habits, and global warming. Acidification involves CO2 reacting with seawater this reduces carbonate ions. Carbonate ions are important to shell formation on organism like coral. Cyanide fishing hurts reefs with the poisonous chemical cloud that’s left behind. As for global warming, coral reefs are very sensitive to any temperature change whatsoever. =

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The foremost matter is presented through short sections describing each threat. All the topics presented are: Ocean Acidification, ocean warming, coral bleaching, carbon dioxide, water pollution, sedimentation, fishing, coastal development, coral mining, ozone depletion, and careless tourism. ===== “In the past few decades, the amount of carbon dioxide in the air has increased by one-third. This is harmful to corals because increased amounts of carbon dioxide are dissolving into the water, which appears to be dissolving the skeletons of corals.” “Increased water temperatures, which may be linked to global warming, can cause mass coral bleaching. This occurs when coral polyps, stressed by heat or ultraviolet radiation, expel the algae that live within them. These algae, called zooxanthellae (zo-zan-THEL-ee) normally provide the coral with up to 80% of its energy, making zooxanthellae essential for coral survival” “Whenever people grab, kick, walk on, or stir up sediment in the reefs, they contribute to coral reef destruction. Corals are also harmed or killed when people drop anchors on them or when people collect coral.” This article shows how coral reefs are in danger. CORAL’s research helps me understand all the ways coral reefs are being marred.

Connor M.: If you’re doing fossil fuel consumption, then I’ll have you know that fossil fuels cause global warming (which hurts the reefs).