SCI/TECH: Dying coral reefs jolted back to life, page 1

sardion2000

posted on Aug, 22 2004 @ 10:26 PM

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Coral experts in Northern Bali, have developed a low cost and innovative way to protect what some call "The Lungs of the Ocean" by using Low Voltage Electricity to stimulate coral growth. The process involves setting up a "Underwater jungle gym" with wires wrapped around them and hooked up to an onshore generator for power. Already the technique is being experimented on in other problem spots around the world where coral bleaching caused by El Nino caused a significant drop in biodiversity. Brown, co-owner of the cottages said that within just a few days after the project began the bars grew a white limestone film.

www.wired.com
PEMUTERAN, North Bali -- As the late afternoon sun bathes the beach with a soft warmth, gentle waves lap quietly at the shore -- and strollers occasionally stumble over a thick wad of white cables embedded in the fine, black sand.

The cables seem to disappear into the sea, where large blue plastic balls bob in the waves. And they seem to come out of nowhere, sprouting like a nasty growth on the face of this stretch of tropical paradise on Bali's northwestern coast.

The wires are part of highly original and ambitious underwater experiment: the use of low-voltage electrical current to stimulate regrowth in a badly damaged coral reef. Conceived by coral expert Tom Goreau of the United States and German architecture professor Wolf Hilbertz, the project began four years ago and has already achieved remarkable results.

Please visit the link provided for the complete story.

The last week has seen some very good news on the coral reefs. The first one(which is below) talked about how the reefs are adapting to higher acidity in the oceans and higher temperatures as well. Then this comes along. I have no idea why this wasn't tried sooner. Although I hear we have another El Nino coming and that could cause some more bleaching, but with this new technique we could possibly stave off what some people called "The Inevitable".

Related News Links:
www.newscientist.com

[edit on 23-8-2004 by John bull 1]

intrepid

posted on Aug, 22 2004 @ 10:37 PM

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This planet is WAY older than our species. This is just another example of the planet protecting itself from US.

sardion2000

posted on Aug, 22 2004 @ 10:42 PM

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Originally posted by intrepid
This planet is WAY older than our species. This is just another example of the planet protecting itself from US.

Umm did you read to story? It talks about how we are actively learning ways to protect them without relying on adaptation. Both stories I mentioned above will compound on eachother and increase the biodiversity 10 fold. I don't even believe that the next El Nino will have such a big impact this time around. Massive bleaching of the great reefs is coming to and end. Human intervention and Natural Adaptation are the key. When people realize that it benefits us way more to work with nature instead of trying to tame it with a sledghammer, the better off all of us will be.