The Environmental Consequences of Ocean Acidification

[Chris]

Researchers say that throughout the Caribbean coral reefs are “bleaching,” a condition that occurs when they are under extreme stress due to warmer-than-normal sea temperatures.

The last major bleaching, in 2005, resulted in the death of 40 percent of corals in parts of eastern Caribbean. When full results are in, this year is likely to be worse, scientists said.

“When we average out the net bleaching events and severity across the Caribbean basin, 2010 (and more than likely 2011) will go down in the record books as having the most severe bleaching and coral mortality in over 20 years,” says Rick MacPherson, conservation programs director of the Coral Reef Alliance (CORAL).

Outside Cancún climate conference, Caribbean Sea testifies to global warming - CSMonitor.com

 

[westwall]

Researchers say that throughout the Caribbean coral reefs are “bleaching,” a condition that occurs when they are under extreme stress due to warmer-than-normal sea temperatures.

The last major bleaching, in 2005, resulted in the death of 40 percent of corals in parts of eastern Caribbean. When full results are in, this year is likely to be worse, scientists said.

“When we average out the net bleaching events and severity across the Caribbean basin, 2010 (and more than likely 2011) will go down in the record books as having the most severe bleaching and coral mortality in over 20 years,” says Rick MacPherson, conservation programs director of the Coral Reef Alliance (CORAL).

Outside Cancún climate conference, Caribbean Sea testifies to global warming - CSMonitor.com

I'll let Goddards blog answer this particular bit of horse manure.

UN BS Machine Continues To Crank In High Gear | Real Science

 

[Old Rocks]

Ah yes, a blog in answer to real scientists. What else are we to expect from ol' Walleyes?

USGCRP Seminar: Coral Bleaching: Ecological & Economic Impacts

. Raymond L. Hayes, Howard University, Washington, DC.

Dr. Alan E. Strong, National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Annapolis, MD.


OVERVIEW
Coral reef bleaching is a reduction in the density of dinoflagellate algae (marine microscopic plants) that are housed in reef ecosystems. Bleaching also represents a reduction in algal pigments, rendering reef corals bleached or white in appearance. Consequently, coral reef bleaching represents an uncoupling of the mutually life-sustaining association between algae and coral. Corals do not receive their normal nutritive support from the algae, and the algae do not receive the protective nutritive environment afforded by the corals.

Coral reef bleaching was first observed in the early 1980's. Since that time reef ecosystems in all tropical regions of the globe have experienced repetitive and more frequent episodes of mass coral reef bleaching. Although elevated salinity, toxic chemicals, elevated UV radiation, reduced temperatures, and prolonged shading due to cloud cover have been demonstrated to induce coral reef bleaching locally, there is no evidence of these factors being responsible for mass coral reef bleaching episodes. Observations also indicate that mass coral reef bleaching has coincided in space and time with the warmest season and with warmer than usual sea surface temperatures (generally in excess of an approximate temperature threshold of 30� C). Thermal anomalies of 1� C or more above the maximum warm water seasonal averages are significantly correlated with the rapid onset and duration of mass coral reef bleaching episodes. As elevated sea surface temperatures gradually fall, reefs may either recover gradually or succumb entirely to the stress. If bleaching persists, there is no net reef building and the reef frame gradually erodes, which can result in habitat destruction and mortality.

Satellite data confirm that elevated sea surface temperatures have been associated with widespread coral reef bleaching in the western Caribbean and in the Gulf of Mexico. An analysis of the satellite-derived sea surface temperatures show that the summer of 1995 was the warmest since 1984 (when reliable records were first obtained) for Belizian Reefs and for the entire Caribbean Basin. Belize represents the Western Hemisphere's longest and most pristine barrier reef, and massive coral reef bleaching broke out for the first time in Belize in September, 1995.

 

[westwall]

Ah yes, a blog in answer to real scientists. What else are we to expect from ol' Walleyes?

USGCRP Seminar: Coral Bleaching: Ecological & Economic Impacts

. Raymond L. Hayes, Howard University, Washington, DC.

Dr. Alan E. Strong, National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Annapolis, MD.


OVERVIEW
Coral reef bleaching is a reduction in the density of dinoflagellate algae (marine microscopic plants) that are housed in reef ecosystems. Bleaching also represents a reduction in algal pigments, rendering reef corals bleached or white in appearance. Consequently, coral reef bleaching represents an uncoupling of the mutually life-sustaining association between algae and coral. Corals do not receive their normal nutritive support from the algae, and the algae do not receive the protective nutritive environment afforded by the corals.

Coral reef bleaching was first observed in the early 1980's. Since that time reef ecosystems in all tropical regions of the globe have experienced repetitive and more frequent episodes of mass coral reef bleaching. Although elevated salinity, toxic chemicals, elevated UV radiation, reduced temperatures, and prolonged shading due to cloud cover have been demonstrated to induce coral reef bleaching locally, there is no evidence of these factors being responsible for mass coral reef bleaching episodes. Observations also indicate that mass coral reef bleaching has coincided in space and time with the warmest season and with warmer than usual sea surface temperatures (generally in excess of an approximate temperature threshold of 30� C). Thermal anomalies of 1� C or more above the maximum warm water seasonal averages are significantly correlated with the rapid onset and duration of mass coral reef bleaching episodes. As elevated sea surface temperatures gradually fall, reefs may either recover gradually or succumb entirely to the stress. If bleaching persists, there is no net reef building and the reef frame gradually erodes, which can result in habitat destruction and mortality.

Satellite data confirm that elevated sea surface temperatures have been associated with widespread coral reef bleaching in the western Caribbean and in the Gulf of Mexico. An analysis of the satellite-derived sea surface temperatures show that the summer of 1995 was the warmest since 1984 (when reliable records were first obtained) for Belizian Reefs and for the entire Caribbean Basin. Belize represents the Western Hemisphere's longest and most pristine barrier reef, and massive coral reef bleaching broke out for the first time in Belize in September, 1995.

Yes a blog that links to real scientists. So riddle me this batman, how is it that the corals were able to evolve when the CO2 levels were 20 times higher than today? What is so special about the CO2 this time around? Does it have hertofore unknown magical properties? Do tell.

 

[JWBooth]

The Environmental Consequences of Ocean Acidification

Herring comes out of the water pre-pickled?

 

[Old Rocks]

Ah yes, a blog in answer to real scientists. What else are we to expect from ol' Walleyes?

USGCRP Seminar: Coral Bleaching: Ecological & Economic Impacts

. Raymond L. Hayes, Howard University, Washington, DC.

Dr. Alan E. Strong, National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Annapolis, MD.


OVERVIEW
Coral reef bleaching is a reduction in the density of dinoflagellate algae (marine microscopic plants) that are housed in reef ecosystems. Bleaching also represents a reduction in algal pigments, rendering reef corals bleached or white in appearance. Consequently, coral reef bleaching represents an uncoupling of the mutually life-sustaining association between algae and coral. Corals do not receive their normal nutritive support from the algae, and the algae do not receive the protective nutritive environment afforded by the corals.

Coral reef bleaching was first observed in the early 1980's. Since that time reef ecosystems in all tropical regions of the globe have experienced repetitive and more frequent episodes of mass coral reef bleaching. Although elevated salinity, toxic chemicals, elevated UV radiation, reduced temperatures, and prolonged shading due to cloud cover have been demonstrated to induce coral reef bleaching locally, there is no evidence of these factors being responsible for mass coral reef bleaching episodes. Observations also indicate that mass coral reef bleaching has coincided in space and time with the warmest season and with warmer than usual sea surface temperatures (generally in excess of an approximate temperature threshold of 30� C). Thermal anomalies of 1� C or more above the maximum warm water seasonal averages are significantly correlated with the rapid onset and duration of mass coral reef bleaching episodes. As elevated sea surface temperatures gradually fall, reefs may either recover gradually or succumb entirely to the stress. If bleaching persists, there is no net reef building and the reef frame gradually erodes, which can result in habitat destruction and mortality.

Satellite data confirm that elevated sea surface temperatures have been associated with widespread coral reef bleaching in the western Caribbean and in the Gulf of Mexico. An analysis of the satellite-derived sea surface temperatures show that the summer of 1995 was the warmest since 1984 (when reliable records were first obtained) for Belizian Reefs and for the entire Caribbean Basin. Belize represents the Western Hemisphere's longest and most pristine barrier reef, and massive coral reef bleaching broke out for the first time in Belize in September, 1995.

Yes a blog that links to real scientists. So riddle me this batman, how is it that the corals were able to evolve when the CO2 levels were 20 times higher than today? What is so special about the CO2 this time around? Does it have hertofore unknown magical properties? Do tell.

The corals of today are not the corals of that period. If they were, they would not be dying. Or are you also denying the observations of the scientists that study corals.

 

[westwall]

Ah yes, a blog in answer to real scientists. What else are we to expect from ol' Walleyes?

USGCRP Seminar: Coral Bleaching: Ecological & Economic Impacts

. Raymond L. Hayes, Howard University, Washington, DC.

Dr. Alan E. Strong, National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Annapolis, MD.


OVERVIEW
Coral reef bleaching is a reduction in the density of dinoflagellate algae (marine microscopic plants) that are housed in reef ecosystems. Bleaching also represents a reduction in algal pigments, rendering reef corals bleached or white in appearance. Consequently, coral reef bleaching represents an uncoupling of the mutually life-sustaining association between algae and coral. Corals do not receive their normal nutritive support from the algae, and the algae do not receive the protective nutritive environment afforded by the corals.

Coral reef bleaching was first observed in the early 1980's. Since that time reef ecosystems in all tropical regions of the globe have experienced repetitive and more frequent episodes of mass coral reef bleaching. Although elevated salinity, toxic chemicals, elevated UV radiation, reduced temperatures, and prolonged shading due to cloud cover have been demonstrated to induce coral reef bleaching locally, there is no evidence of these factors being responsible for mass coral reef bleaching episodes. Observations also indicate that mass coral reef bleaching has coincided in space and time with the warmest season and with warmer than usual sea surface temperatures (generally in excess of an approximate temperature threshold of 30� C). Thermal anomalies of 1� C or more above the maximum warm water seasonal averages are significantly correlated with the rapid onset and duration of mass coral reef bleaching episodes. As elevated sea surface temperatures gradually fall, reefs may either recover gradually or succumb entirely to the stress. If bleaching persists, there is no net reef building and the reef frame gradually erodes, which can result in habitat destruction and mortality.

Satellite data confirm that elevated sea surface temperatures have been associated with widespread coral reef bleaching in the western Caribbean and in the Gulf of Mexico. An analysis of the satellite-derived sea surface temperatures show that the summer of 1995 was the warmest since 1984 (when reliable records were first obtained) for Belizian Reefs and for the entire Caribbean Basin. Belize represents the Western Hemisphere's longest and most pristine barrier reef, and massive coral reef bleaching broke out for the first time in Belize in September, 1995.

Yes a blog that links to real scientists. So riddle me this batman, how is it that the corals were able to evolve when the CO2 levels were 20 times higher than today? What is so special about the CO2 this time around? Does it have hertofore unknown magical properties? Do tell.

The corals of today are not the corals of that period. If they were, they would not be dying. Or are you also denying the observations of the scientists that study corals.

Really now? The corals of today are not the same ones of long ago? Really? They are not made of the exact same substance? They were made of some super powerful magical CaCO3 that was impervious to the effects of acidification that never occured? Really?

 

[Chris]

CANCUN, Mexico // Greenhouse gases are threatening coral reefs around the world, including those in the UAE, marine scientists warned during climate talks.

If humanity continues on its present course, some of the world's most vibrant reefs could be reduced to rubble by 2050, experts told the UN summit in Cancun.

The large amounts of carbon emissions pumped into the atmosphere are already changing the chemistry of the ocean and affecting the ability of reefs to grow, they said.

After 40 years, the process, called acidification, could be so advanced that reefs corrode.

"Ocean acidification, or should I say in our case, sea or even coastal acidification, has been increasing rapidly over the last two decades, surpassing the levels seen in the entire 150 years before that," said Dr Thabit al Abdessalaam, the director of the biodiversity management sector at the Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi.

Acidification "could be viewed as big a challenge as climate change itself", he added, speaking from the UAE.

Marine scientists warn gases 'may kill reefs in 40 years'

 

[westwall]

CANCUN, Mexico // Greenhouse gases are threatening coral reefs around the world, including those in the UAE, marine scientists warned during climate talks.

If humanity continues on its present course, some of the world's most vibrant reefs could be reduced to rubble by 2050, experts told the UN summit in Cancun.

The large amounts of carbon emissions pumped into the atmosphere are already changing the chemistry of the ocean and affecting the ability of reefs to grow, they said.

After 40 years, the process, called acidification, could be so advanced that reefs corrode.

"Ocean acidification, or should I say in our case, sea or even coastal acidification, has been increasing rapidly over the last two decades, surpassing the levels seen in the entire 150 years before that," said Dr Thabit al Abdessalaam, the director of the biodiversity management sector at the Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi.

Acidification "could be viewed as big a challenge as climate change itself", he added, speaking from the UAE.

Marine scientists warn gases 'may kill reefs in 40 years'

These are the same type of experts that said the Himalayan glaciers would melt in 20 years too. I think I'll just avoid the panic thing and jump right to abject horror....or not