Researchers have now found a new way to identify which corals are “heat-stressed”, which could help scientists work on coral species that need protection from rising ocean temperatures due to climate change. An Indian scientist, Debashish Bhattacharya, led the study at Rutgers University, New Brunswick, and explained the newly discovered technique as “similar to a blood test to assess human health.”
Debashish Bhattacharya, a professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology at the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences at Rutgers-New Brunswick University, explained that researchers can assess “coral health” by measuring the metabolites they produce and then identifying the best interventions. to ensure the health of the reef. The discovery came at a time when “coral bleaching” has risen sharply to an alarming level and is also referred to as an “ecological disaster”.
“This is similar to a blood test to assess human health,” said lead author Debashish Bhattacharya. “We can assess the health of corals by measuring the metabolites (chemicals created for metabolism) that they produce and, finally, we identify the best interventions to ensure the health of reefs. Bleaching corals in heated waters is an ongoing ecological disaster worldwide. Therefore, we need to develop sensitive diagnostic indicators that can be used to monitor the health of the reef before the visible whitening occurs, to allow time for preventive conservation efforts. “
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Corals could fade in 15 years
Meanwhile, research at Bangor University has suggested that the Amazon rainforest could disappear in about 49 years and coral reefs could be bleached in the next 15 years. The researchers looked at changes in 25 marine ecosystems, 13 freshwater ecosystems and four terrestrial ecosystems to find out how long it would take to reach a critical point. Dr. Simon Willcock, lead author of the study at Bangor University School of Natural Sciences, said the changes posed a threat to human life. Scientists have said that once a “peak” is triggered, large ecosystems can collapse much faster.
While scientists have repeatedly warned of excessive “whitening” of coral reefs due to global warming, another separate study found that some of the corals have developed “sunscreen” to protect their skeletons from growth. sea temperature.
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