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A Fantastical World

The subject of the ocean is close to my heart. I was raised along the beaches of Southern California. The smell of the salt air, the subtle and rhythmic roar of the waves, the cries of seagulls, it all lifts my spirits and immediately makes me feel rejuvenated and "right with the world" - especially if I haven't been near the ocean in a while. The vast oceans of the world still haven't been fully explored and the few deep-sea creatures we've been able to see thus far are fantastic: scary and alien looking, like something one would find in a science fiction magazine. Many of the oceans' creatures have bio-luminescence, which allows them to generate dazzling light shows, created within their own bodies. Amazing! So when I heard this story being aired on the news this morning, I had to share it with my fellow hubbers.

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The Rainforests Of The Ocean

Coral reefs are one of the planet's greatest marvels. They form and thrive in waters low in nutrients, creating their own nutrient-rich biodiversity by providing shelter and safety for a wide array of ocean life, not the least of which is the famed Clown Fish. Not just incredibly beautiful, coral reefs are used as medication to treat everything from heart disease to cancer and serve as a natural barrier to ocean erosion. So varied are the medicinal possibilities of the coral reefs, marine scientists refer to them as the medicine cabinets of the 21st century.

CRC Reef Research Centre has the most comprehensive website for exploring the progress being made, and new discoveries, in medicinal coral reef research. You don't have to be a scientist to enjoy it.

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A Fragile Relationship

It is because of the fragile give-and-take relationship with microscopic algae that coral reefs are able to thrive in nutrient-poor waters, but because of warming conditions in the planet's oceans, much of this algae is dying. The result is 20% of the world's coral reefs have been decimated by a process known as "bleaching."

Researcher Andrew Baker is hoping to "inoculate" the coral reefs. He and his team have been carefully harvesting the Mustard Hill corals of Biscayne Bay, about 10 miles off the coast of Miami. It's a controversial action, but I say, at least he's taking action. I've included a video of the news piece about Andrew Baker and his work below.

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Reef Restoration Tech

Another step which is being taken to restore the world's coral reefs is low voltage electrical currents are being applied through seawater, which crystallizes dissolved minerals onto steel structures. The resulting aragonite is the same mineral which makes up natural coral reefs. Corals colonize and grow very quickly onto these steel structures.

This technology is currently be applied in Indonesia -Bali, Jamaica, Maldives- Ihuru and Vabbinfaru, Mexico -Yucatan, Panama- San Blas Islands, Papau New Guinea, Saya de Malha, Seychelles and Thailand.

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Battling the Bleaching

There are many organizations worldwide fighting everyday to save and preserve the world's amazing coral reefs. Here are just a few:

Coral Reef Conservation Program

Kenya: Coral Reef Conservation

NOAA's Coral Reef Conservation

11th International Coral Reef Symposium

Explore the coral reefs at Coral-Realm Fun site!

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