Researchers have now found a new way to identify which corals are “heat stressed,” which could help scientists work on the coral species that need protection from rising ocean temperatures due to climate change. Debashish Bhattacharya, a scientist of Indian descent, led the research 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 in 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 selecting the best interventions to ensure the health of the reef. The discovery came at a time when ‘coral bleaching’ has dramatically increased to an alarming level and has been dubbed ‘ecological disaster’.
“This is comparable to a blood test to assess human health,” said senior author Debashish Bhattacharya. “We can assess the health of corals by measuring the metabolites (chemicals made for metabolism) they produce and ultimately identify the best interventions to ensure reef health. Coral bleaching from warming 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 bleaching begins visibly, allowing time for preventive conservation efforts. “
Read – Study: Global warming already ingrained will destroy previous climate goals
Read – COVID-19 not directly responsible for brain damage in patients, study finds
Corals can be bleached in 15 years
Meanwhile, a study at Bangor University suggested that the Amazon rainforest could be gone in about 49 years and the coral reefs could be bleached 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 for them to reach a critical point. Dr. Simon Willcock, a joint lead author of the study, from Bangor University’s School of Natural Sciences, said the changes pose a threat to human life. The scientists have said that once a ‘tipping point’ is triggered, large ecosystems could collapse much faster.
While scientists have repeatedly warned against excessive ‘bleaching’ of coral reefs due to global warming, another separate study had revealed that some corals have developed a ‘sunscreen’ to protect their skeletons from rising sea temperatures.
Read – Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine shows 94.1% efficacy in phase 3 clinical trial: study
Reading – Brain Scans Can Predict Music-Induced Emotions and Melody: Research