Why is it in the news?
- The Great Barrier Reef (GBR) has experienced its 5th mass bleaching event in just 8 years, with previous occurrences in 1998, 2002, 2016, 2017, 2020, and 2022.
| About Coral bleaching · Coral bleaching occurs when environmental stressors, such as spikes in ocean temperatures, cause corals to expel the algae living in their tissues, resulting in the loss of their vibrant colours. |
Causes of Mass Bleaching Events
- Climate change-induced warming is a major factor contributing to coral bleaching events, as rising sea temperatures stress corals beyond their tolerance levels.
- The increasing frequency of El Niño events exacerbates the frequency and severity of mass bleaching events by causing further temperature fluctuations in the ocean.
- Factors such as the lack of wind and currents can lead to less water mixing and clearer seas, allowing for deeper penetration of solar irradiance, which intensifies bleaching.
- Other contributing factors include extremely low tides, pollution, and overexposure to sunlight, all of which can further stress coral reefs.
| About Great Barrier Reef · The Great Barrier Reef stretches for over 2,300 kilometres along the northeast coast of Australia, making it the world’s largest coral reef complex. · Designated a World Heritage Site in 1981, the GBR is composed of billions of tiny organisms known as coral polyps, which build and maintain the reef structure. Coral Reefs in India · In India, coral reefs are found in several locations including the Gulf of Kutch, Gulf of Mannar, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep Islands, and Malvan in Maharashtra. · These reefs are composed of colonies of thousands of tiny individual corals, called polyps, which have hard exoskeletons made of calcium carbonate. · Coral reefs in India contribute significantly to biodiversity, fisheries, coastal protection, and tourism, making their conservation crucial for both ecological and socioeconomic reasons.
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