Causes of Coral Reef Destruction

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.