A World We Dare to Imagine Pt. 3

My parents recently took a trip to Australia. Like any good tourist, scuba diving in the Great Barrier Reef was one of the first activities on their list. They sent me a plethora of underwater pictures depicting vibrant corals and fish but I could not help but notice the eerily white coral that plagued the reef. These corals had undergone a process known as bleaching. When sea temperatures rise too rapidly, the algae that use coral for protection no longer are kept safe and are forced to evacuate the coral. This leads to the coral losing color and turning white. The symbiotic relationship the two organisms have developed is destroyed. These coral skeletons are very fragile and currents in the water can break the coral from its secured spot on the sea floor and at that point, the coral is no longer salvageable. Fortunately, researchers have discovered that many corals in French Polynesia that had previously been bleached, were now thriving again and filled with color. The key to regenerating coral is algae's ability to adapt.

Algae and the organisms that make it up are some of the oldest living entities on earth. As a result, algae has undergone much evolution in response to the changing environment. This fact makes it an interesting topic for researchers to study. Scientists often grow algae cultures to test different theories as the marine plant is relatively simple to work with. For example, researchers have genetically engineered algae that enhance biofuel production. I believe scientists should use the resources they have to create a form of algae that is more heat resistant. Researchers in Abu Dhabi have discovered algae with greater heat resistance which has allowed coral to thrive in the warm waters of the Middle East. Combining research with this discovery could lead to a breakthrough is coral rehabilitation.

My idea would involve placing an artificial algae culture on the surface of the water surrounding a reef. Data concerning what temperature results in bleaching in different parts of the world is also a necessary fact. Using this data, the heat-resistant algae would be released into the water once temperatures became too intense. These algae could then populate the coral and maintain homeostasis. Algae, particularly phytoplankton, produce around 70% of the oxygen available to humans.  Coral reefs are some of the most beautiful natural landscapes in the world and it is our responsibility to ensure that the plants and animals living within that ecosystem are safe from issues of climate change. The symbiotic relationship between algae and coral must be reestablished and protected.