RESEARCH POSTER PRESENTATION DESIGN © 2015 www.PosterPresentations.com Abstract Coral Reefs Coral bleaching is the term being used to described the change of the beautifully vibrant coral to an unhealthy bleached white color. Coral polyps have a symbiotic relationship with zooxanthellae, an algae that helps feed the coral. If the temperature changes the algae will die or leave its host causing the drastic color change. Bleaching is actually a natural event that can be reversed by healthier waters, but if conditions do not change back to stable the coral will die. Coral bleaching is caused by rapid changes in ocean temperature, runoff, pollution, over exposure to sunlight, extreme low tides, and rough human interaction. (NOAA, 2014) It takes about five years for the corals to become healthy again after a bleaching event but with all the threats facing our coral reefs today there isn’t much room for hope. What is Coral Bleaching? As temperatures rise, mass coral bleaching events and infectious disease outbreaks are becoming more frequent. Additionally, carbon dioxide absorbed into the ocean from the atmosphere has already begun to reduce calcification rates in reef-building and reef-associated organisms by altering seawater chemistry through decreases in ph. In 2015, it was estimated that around 14,000 tons of sunscreen are ending up in the world’s coral reefs and causing irreparable damage (Buchheim, 2013). Also some coral reefs (like the great barrier reefs) are barriers to costal communities. They cause waves to break further away from the coast saving properties and people from the intensities of tropical storms and hurricanes. Because of coral’s high biodiversity when they die the ecosystem changes vastly. There are such high numbers of fish that rely off the corals and they will leave to find a new, more suitable habitat. Turning the once thriving ecosystem into a barren, fruitless reef. • This is happening all around the world in small costal villages that rely off of the abundance of the sea for food and their source of income. There being no food for these locals leads to a whole new problem of importing foods to these secluded island. Not only does it take a lot of fossil fuel burning to get there but the people don’t even have a proper dump for the garbage, which then eventually gets into the surrounding ocean. All of these actions do nothing but worsen the condition of the reefs and the people living with them, making it impossibly hard for the dying corals come back to life. How does it effect us? How can we help? The easiest way to help with coral reef bleaching are by: • Wearing reef safe sunscreen • Carpooling more and driving less • Grocery shopping with recyclable bags • Use as little plastic as possible • Shop local • East fresh and know your food is coming from somewhere good • Being educated about the subject • Informing others, and pressuring people for change • Funding not for profit companies and research groups • Pick up trash • Reduce, Reuse, Recycle References Buchheim, Jason. “Coral Bleching.” Coral Reef Bleaching, 2013, www.marinebiology.org/coralbleaching.htm. “Coral Bleaching and Sunlight Exposure.” Heal Naturally, Heal Naturally, 31 July 2018, www.realnatural.org/new-study-proves-coral-bleaching- unrelated-to-sunlight-exposure/. “Reef Health.” Australia Government - Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, 2018, www.gbrmpa.gov.au/the-reef/reef-health. US Department of Commerce, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. “How Do Coral Reefs Protect Lives and Property?” NOAA's National Ocean Service, 1 Mar. 2014, oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/coral_protect.html. Zhekova, Dobrina. “How to Know If Your Sunscreen Is Killing Coral Reefs - and 11 Brands to Try Instead.” Travel + Leisure, 2018, www.travelandleisure.com/style/beauty/reef-safe-sunscreen. What causes Coral Bleaching? Climate Change There is an access amount of Carbon being emitted into our world and it is causing a greenhouse effect that traps the heat from the sun inside our atmosphere. This is causing a chain event that is hurting everything including our beautiful coral reefs. If the temperature changes one degree Celsius for only four weeks it will trigger a bleaching event. After being bleached for a long period of time the coral will die and effect the surrounding reefs and waters (GBRA, 2018) Chemical Pollutants There are many chemicals in our oceans today due to our heavy human interaction. These actions have consequences such as a decline in our fish populations and our coral reefs are dying. In a study done back in 2008 it was found that products like sunscreen are causing the bleaching and death to coral reefs in areas trafficked frequently by humans. The effect of sunscreens is due to organic ultraviolet filters because it triggers infections in the zooxanthellae. Sunscreen is just one example of what our chemicals are doing to nature (Buchheim, 2013). Costal Construction Another reason for coral bleaching is due to coastal construction, the debris and other runoffs into the ocean change the pH balance and sediments in the waters. These changes raise the risk of disease and death of the corals. Natural Disasters Hurricanes and other tropical storms also can be very destructive and wipe out whole coral reef ecosystems. They can destroy so much because coral reef habitats lie outside of islands and act as the first line of defense from the natural disaster. Corals are in the Class Anthozoa, Phylum Cnidaria, they are a species of small reef-building invertebrates. Corals may be divided into two groups, hard and soft. Reefs are primarily built by hard corals that create a rigid calcium carbonate (CaCO3) endoskeleton and live symbiotically with zooxanthellae (a small algae). Soft corals such as sea fans and sea whips on the other hand, lack the production of a CaCO3 skeleton, and they do not contribute to the reef but provide food and shelter to many reef animals. With over 2,500 different species corals are one of the largest contributors to the bio diversity to our oceans. Coral reefs also home smaller fish, shelter growing species, and provide food for larger predators. Coral reefs are an important part of our ocean ecosystem. All types of organisms live around and within the coral reefs, they are very biodiverse and use their resources quite efficiently. Now with so many changes in our world; rising ocean temperatures and new toxins being released into the waters, coral reefs are bleaching. What is coral bleaching? When coral polyps become stressed, due to changes in its environment, the algae that lives within it (zooxanthellae) will go dormant and turn the coral white. At this point the coral is not dead yet but it is very prone to diseases and death. Once the corals die the rest of the underwater ecosystem is effected and usually dies away as well. Coral bleaching is an issue that we are facing today and that we need to resolve now before it gets any worse. Where Coral Reefs Grow The zooxanthellae that lives in the corals needs to produce carbon through photosynthesis so the coral can eat, grow, and survive. So, they grow in shallow enough water where the light still penetrates, this is called the photic zone, which usually lies on the continental shelf and slope. Corals also only grow is tropical or sub-tropical waters between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Between 30 degrees north and south of the equator is where the conditions are suitable for coral reefs to thrive. • This is a picture of a healthy coral reef environment, observe how full of diverse life it is! Coral Bleaching KATIE SCHUSTER Marine Biology 115