Post by LSDeep on Sept 5, 2005 19:28:00 GMT -5
Posted on Mon, Sep. 05, 2005
Warm ocean waters are bleaching coral reefs in the Florida Keys
Associated Press
MIAMI - Warm ocean waters are bleaching the rainbow colors of coral reefs in the Florida Keys, scientists said.
A long period of hot and calm weather triggers the bleaching that weakens coral, slowing growth and reproduction and exposing the fragile colonies to damage, disease and pollution.
Rains from Hurricane Katrina temporarily cooled the nearly 90-degree coastal waters, said Brian Keller, the science coordinator for the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.
"I'm pretty pleased that we're getting this break in the thermal stress," he said, "but we still have a lot of warm months ahead."
The heated water prompts living coral to shed the algae that provides its bright colors, making reefs appear dull or starkly white. Reefs can rebound if the waters cool, but prolonged bleaching can cause the coral to die off, said Mote Marine Laboratory biologist Cory Walter.
Earlier this year, the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration and Mote laboratory on Summerland Key established the Coral Bleaching Early Warning Network, a monitoring system relying on divers and satellite imaging to alert scientists to the bleaching's impact.
Four weeks ago, satellite images showed steamy water temperatures and observers noted fading in coral colonies from Carysfort Reef off North Key Largo down into the Western Sambos off Key West and to the Dry Tortugas.
"We saw extensive what we would call coral paling, meaning the loss of some of the color, from all the major reef-building corals," Keller said. "Anytime you see that, it shows the reef system is under considerable stress."
Warm ocean waters are bleaching coral reefs in the Florida Keys
Associated Press
MIAMI - Warm ocean waters are bleaching the rainbow colors of coral reefs in the Florida Keys, scientists said.
A long period of hot and calm weather triggers the bleaching that weakens coral, slowing growth and reproduction and exposing the fragile colonies to damage, disease and pollution.
Rains from Hurricane Katrina temporarily cooled the nearly 90-degree coastal waters, said Brian Keller, the science coordinator for the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.
"I'm pretty pleased that we're getting this break in the thermal stress," he said, "but we still have a lot of warm months ahead."
The heated water prompts living coral to shed the algae that provides its bright colors, making reefs appear dull or starkly white. Reefs can rebound if the waters cool, but prolonged bleaching can cause the coral to die off, said Mote Marine Laboratory biologist Cory Walter.
Earlier this year, the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration and Mote laboratory on Summerland Key established the Coral Bleaching Early Warning Network, a monitoring system relying on divers and satellite imaging to alert scientists to the bleaching's impact.
Four weeks ago, satellite images showed steamy water temperatures and observers noted fading in coral colonies from Carysfort Reef off North Key Largo down into the Western Sambos off Key West and to the Dry Tortugas.
"We saw extensive what we would call coral paling, meaning the loss of some of the color, from all the major reef-building corals," Keller said. "Anytime you see that, it shows the reef system is under considerable stress."