Ocean Thermostat | 31 is the Magic Number

coral reefs 002 Ocean Thermostat | 31 is the Magic Number



coral reefs 004 Ocean Thermostat | 31 is the Magic Number

The science goes like this: usually warm water temperatures can expel the nutrient-rich colorful microscopic organisms. This results in “bleaching” — in which the coral literally turns white. Worse still, if the water temperature doesn’t return to normal within a week or so, the bleached coral can die.

But with the ocean thermostat in place, there’s no need for concern, right? Err, wrong. The scientists warn that global warming is happening at such an alarming rate, it may overwhelm the thermostat.

“This year is the International Year of the Reef, and we need to go beyond the dire predictions for coral reefs and find ways to conserve them,” says Dr Kleypas.

Now that’s black and white advice.

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