Researchers have now found a new way to identify what corals are ‘heat-stressed’ that could help scientists work on the coral species that need protection from rising ocean temperatures due to climate change. A scientist of Indian descent, Debashish Bhattacharya, led the study at Rutgers University, New Brunswick, explaining 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 University-New Brunswick, explained that researchers can assess “coral health” by measuring the metabolites they produce and then identify best interventions to ensure the health of the reef. The discovery took place at a time when ‘coral bleaching’ had increased drastically and was also called ‘ecological disasters’.
“It’s similar to a blood test to assess human health,” said senior author Debashish Bhattacharya. ‘We can assess coral health by measuring the metabolites (chemicals created for metabolism) and ultimately identifying the best interventions to ensure reef health. Coral bleaching from hot water is an ongoing global ecological disaster. Therefore, we need to develop sensitive diagnostic indicators that can be used to monitor the health of the reef before the visible onset of bleaching to allow time for preventative conservation efforts. ”
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Coral can be bleached within 15 years
Meanwhile, a study conducted at the University of Bangor suggested that the Amazon rainforest could disappear in 49 years and become the coral reefs in the next 15 years. The researchers analyzed the changes of 25 marine, 13 freshwater and four land ecosystems to find out how long it would take before they reached a critical point. Dr Simon Willcock, co-author of the study, from Bangor University’s School of Natural Sciences, said the changes posed a threat to human life. The scientists said that once a ‘tipping point’ is activated, large ecosystems can collapse much faster.
While scientists have repeatedly warned of excessive ‘bleaching’ of coral reefs due to global warming, another separate study has revealed that some of the corals have developed a ‘sunscreen’ to protect their skeletons from rising sea temperatures.
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