Environment

Coral Reefs: Decaying Rainforests of the Sea

Coral reefs, referred to as the “rainforests of the sea”, are incredibly diverse and important structures for marine life. Providing food, safety and shelter for nearly 4,000 species of fish and 800 species of hard corals (among hundreds of other species), these coral reefs house millions of organisms and boast an incredibly diverse repertoire. In fact, 25% of marine life rely on reefs for their survival, as fish tend to use these natural formations to raise their young (NOAA Website).

A majority of new cancer drug research focuses on marine organisms that are found on these coral reefs; these organisms produce chemicals that have been used prior in treatments for lymphoma, leukemia, and skin cancer (Coral Reef Alliance), and are now being studied to develop possible cures for cancer, arthritis, bacterial infections, and other diseases.

Over half a billion people depend on reefs for food, income, and protection. – NOAA

Not only do coral reefs provide medicinal properties, but they protect shorelines and act as a buffer against waves, storms, and floods (NOAA). These shoreline businesses also rely on these coral reefs for tourism and recreational purposes. Around half of all federally managed fisheries rely on coral reefs, and local businesses receive “billions of dollars from visitors” due to diving tours, recreational fishing trips, hotels, and businesses based near these colorful, vibrant reefs.

However, despite how important these coral reefs are for ecosystems to thrive properly, they are in increasing danger due to pollution; plastic that ends up in the ocean clings to the coral and abrades the uppermost layer. Harmful microorganisms are able to enter the coral and poisons them from the inside (Harvell); it’s like an infection, but an incredibly debilitating one. “The likelihood of disease increases from 4 percent to 89 percent when corals are in contact with plastic,” researchers from the Science journal explain (NPR). The plastics smother the coral and prevent them from being able to absorb sunlight, and so the infection doesn’t get any better- it just worsens.

“There are 5.25 trillion pieces of plastic debris in the ocean. Of that mass, 269,000 tons float on the surface, Not one square mile of surface ocean anywhere on earth is free of plastic pollution.”

– The National Geographic, uocean.org

Aside from plastic and other waste damaging coral reefs, climate change is an increasing issue for most life on Earth. Due to the rising temperatures, the corals will get rid of a certain algae living in them, which causes the coral to turn white- colorful coral is healthy coral. While coral bleaching doesn’t kill the coral instantly, they are weaker when fighting against microorganisms, and have a higher mortality rate.

REFERENCES

NOAA. “Coral Reef Ecosystems.” National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, www.noaa.gov/education/resource-collections/marine-life/coral-reef-ecosystems. Accessed 15 Apr. 2024.

Joyce, Christopher. (2018, January 25) “Plastic Pollution Is Killing Coral Reefs, 4-Year Study Finds.” NPR, NPR. https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2018/01/25/580227045/plastic-pollution-is-killing-coral-reefs-4-year-study-finds. Accessed 15 Apr. 2024