CORAL BLEACHING: HOW IT IS DAMAGING REEFS AND ECOSYSTEMS

Have you ever watched the Disney movie Finding Nemo? Do you remember how colorful and vibrant the aquatic ecosystems in it were? Do you remember the rainbow coral reefs?

If you do, you may know that coral reefs are similar to those depictions in reality. But not anymore. 

Where is all the coral going?; Graphic by Rebeca Rojas Afanador

Coral bleaching is a term used to describe the leeching of color that has been happening to the coral reefs around the planet. Coral bleaching can occur when the oceans get warmer due to climate change. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, if the water is not in specific conditions the corals lose or shed their symbiotic algae called zooxanthellae. That algae is what gives the coral their color, so when they shed that algae their white calcium carbonate skeleton is exposed, giving them a “bleached” appearance. 

What else can cause coral bleaching? Runoff (storm-generated pollution) can quickly dilute ocean water and can carry pollutants that can bleach coral near shores. Overexposure to sunlight when temperatures are high can also contribute to bleaching in shallow-water corals, as well as exposure to the air during extremely low tides.

Although coral reefs only make up about 1% of Earth’s oceans, they support 25% of the oceans aquatic life, according to the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries. If the coral dies, there is a loss of biodiversity as all the fish, invertebrates, and other marine life that rely on the coral now have no habitat. 

You may think that just because we don’t live near an ocean or beach that you do not have an effect on these ecosystems, but that is not true. The biggest cause of coral bleaching is climate change and climate change is a result of trapped heat from the sun because of high CO2 emissions or burning of fossil fuels. Ways you contribute to this come in many forms, but here are some examples: driving your (gas) car every day burns more fossil fuels and traps more CO2 in the atmosphere, believe it or not, even charging your phone can contribute to this. When you charge your phone you use energy, and energy sources like coal and gasoline release more carbon dioxide. 

Now, how can you help? You can help stop coral bleaching by reducing your carbon footprint. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, ways to reduce your carbon footprint as related to coral reefs are: by recycling and disposing of trash properly, helping to keep streams and rivers clean by picking up trash in your community, minimizing use of fertilizers that can harm water quality, adopting a fuel-efficient form of transportation (such as a bike, EV or hybrid car, or public transportation), saving energy (such as turning off lights and electronics when not using them or not at home), and being aware when buying aquarium fish (don’t purchase live coral, and make sure that fish purchased were acquired in a sustainable way). 

Things you do have an impact on the planet as a whole, not just your area or local community. So I just urge you to be more aware of your sustainability efforts and usage of fossil fuels, as they make an impact everywhere.