Currently, threats are
increasing to our coral reefs around the world which potentially hold
detrimental results. The following are
the top reasons why the depletion of corals reefs is becoming abundant which
are going to be a serious problem for the world in the future.
1.)Ocean Acidification:
“The oceans have absorbed approximately 525 billion
tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, or about one third of the
anthropogenic carbon emissions released. This absorption has benefited
humankind by significantly reducing the greenhouse gas levels in the atmosphere
and minimizing some of the impacts of global warming. However, the ocean's
uptake of carbon dioxide is having negative impacts on the chemistry and
biology of the oceans.” (Paragraph 6)
2.) Ocean
Warming and Coral Bleaching: This is caused by the accumulation of heating
causing gasses such as carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. It is harmful because these gasses act as a
heat blanket which prevents the heat from the sun to get to the reefs. This process essentially heats the
temperatures of the water which coral are extremely susceptible to causing
their demise. Water temperature
increases leads to coral bleaching which is the act of coral polyps expelling
the algae within them making corals lose their energy and not be able to
project it into the revelation of the reef.
The main cause of coral bleaching is the excess suntan lotions
sunbathers cover themselves in before entering the water. The chemicals and remnants of the lotion make
its way to the coral reefs essentially killing them.
3.)Water
Pollution: Pollutants such as oil and gas are infecting the waters around the
world therefore infecting the coral reefs which live there. These pollutants tend to increase the amount
of nitrogen present around coral reefs resulting in an overgrowth of algae
which smothers and suffocates the reefs.
4.)
Destructive Fishing Practices: Current fishing practices are destructive and
unsustainable such as cyanide fishing, overfishing, and blast fishing. These are destroying the reefs to the point
where they are unable to be salvaged.
5.)
Careless Tourism: Tourist resorts around the world are a major problem when it
comes to the depletion of coral reefs.
The sewage from these resorts is directly drained into the water
surrounding coral reefs. The waste seeps
out of septic tanks as well making their way to coral reefs instantly killing
them off. Tourists activities such as
boating, diving, swimming, snorkeling, etc, also have the ability to damage the
reefs when done incorrectly.
