Great Barrier Reef experiencing worst mass bleaching event in history
Q. Which coral reef is experiencing the worst mass bleaching event in history?- Published on 30 Mar 16a. Australia’s Great Barrier Reef
b. Apo Reef, Phillipines
c. Florida Keys United States
d. None of the above
ANSWER: Australia’s Great Barrier Reef
Most pristine section of the Great Barrier Reef is experiencing the worst mass bleaching event in history
Only 4 of the reefs had no bleaching
Results are based on aerial surveys of more than 500 coral reefs.
- Coral reefs are found from Cairns in Australia to Papua New Guinea
- Some of the world’s largest coral reefs are found in Australia, Philippines, United States, Caribbean Basin, Red Sea, New Caledonia and Indian Ocean.
- Coral bleaching occurs when abnormal environmental conditions, like heightened sea temperatures cause corals to expel tiny photosynthetic algae, called ‘zooxanthellae’.
- The loss of these colourful algae causes the corals to turn white, and ‘bleach’.
- Bleached corals can recover if the temperature drops and zooxanthellae are able to re-colonise them, otherwise the coral may die.
