Global Warming: The Negative Effects on the Worlds Oceans

Diminishing reef inhabitants make room for new growth; however, if such incompatible conditions prevent life from reestablishing its existence no reef will continue to survive. If humans continue to contribute to the natural occurrence of carbon dioxide levels the process of destruction will not be reversible. Fragile ocean life will not endure such an unnatural and unstable environment. The delicate ocean life will not be able to adjust to the changing surroundings of the warmer waters in order to survive. Endangered ocean species by means of global warming differs from all environmental issues. It is a more serious topic due to the excessive destruction being done to the inhabitants of the ocean and the extreme sensitivity of these life forms. Most humans cannot visualize these adverse effects due to limited information known about the sensitivity of coral reefs and the species that rely on them. When referring to global warming and the negative effects impacted on the ocean it is classified as an environmental occurrence and concern which involves a steady increase in the earth’s average temperature at which most ocean species cannot endure. This unnatural occurrence is primarily caused by greenhouse gases. These gases consist of carbon dioxide, H2O vapor, methane, nitrous oxide, and ozone. Combined they make up the greenhouse effect. These gases stay in the atmosphere and keep in expelled energy released from the sun. This encloses heat on the earth and keeps it from escaping into space. If the greenhouse effect did not exist the earth would be too cold for most living things to tolerate. The greenhouse effect is a vital stage of the atmosphere; however, too much of these gases keep excess heat in and cause havoc on the earths temperature-even if it is only by 1 degree-. Humans have contributed greatly to the rising levels of carbon dioxide by means of burning fossil fuels, destroying abundant forests and diminishing of important co2 consuming photosynthetic aquatic corals as well as plant (macro algae) life. The ocean acts as a natural filter. With the excess carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, it is impossible for the ocean to filter all of it which in turn accumulates excessively. This causes a steady increase in temperature. This degree incline causes a change of events that most of us do not see or understand including the fluctuation of the oceans chemistry. These events consist of coral bleaching, disastrous algae blooms of different species of macro algae as well as cynobacteria, and, Majano and Aiptasia anemones. Live rock at which the corals grow and settle on is at the risk of dying. Disease breakouts among corals (jelly disease and others), fish, and invertebrates will increase. The natural occurrence of seasonal breeding of mammals is interrupted do to instinct. There is also a disruption in migration of certain species that need to move to warmer or colder waters during certain times of the year in order to survive. Global warming has many dramatic effects on the worlds oceans and if it is not dealt with on a world wide basis there will be too excessive chain of events made to re-establish crucial organisms, fish, and coral species.

Coral bleaching is a concern do to the steady rise in the earth’s temperature. Corals exposed to increasing heat levels expire zooxanthellae algae at which they rely for food production and energy. This destruction reveals white skeleton remains. Most living species in the ocean cannot acclimate to even the slightest temperature fluctuation. If the oceans temperature rises to only 1 degree it will cause much distress to not only corals, but fish, mammals, and plant life as well. Other ocean life depends on corals for protection and food. As explained by, “Sylvia A. Earle, the National Geographic Society's explorer-in-residence, encountered a disturbing change of scene late last year when she returned to scuba dive at one of her favorite haunts. Heads of centuries-old coral in a reef off the Dutch isle of Bonaire, just north of Venezuela, had always provided a dazzling backdrop for darting Caribbean fish. Now, she saw patches of coral--once yellow, electric green, purple, and brown--bleached to the point where "they looked just like snowballs." Although still alive, the reef "looked sick," recalls Earle, a former chief scientist at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Indeed, Bonaire's coral is sick, says James M. Cervino, a marine biologist with the Global Coral Reef Alliance in New York City. The sad thing, he adds, is that Bonaire's reefs remain among Earth's healthiest. Having visited some 50 different reefs throughout the world over the past 2 years, he notes that most are considerably worse off. Among tropical corals, which are actually colonies of tiny animals, bleaching has become ubiquitous, he finds. Whereas just the heads of Bonaire's corals are white, at some sites fully 80 percent of the coral has been bleached. The ghostly pallor, he explains, results from these colonies becoming too warm and feverishly expelling the colorful symbiotic algae responsible for their vibrant hues (SN: 6/15/96, p. 379). Because the algae symbionts provide an energy source, their prolonged absence eventually starves the corals, Cervino says”. Science News, Jan 30, 1999 by Janet Ralof.”

Algae blooms are caused by extreme heat, overload of nutrients, and elevated UV radiation levels. Macro and micro algae species are natural filters of carbon dioxide and nutrients. An algae bloom is a process of macro/micro algae species expelling all the nutrients and carbon dioxide consumed over a period of time back into the water. Desirable and undesirable algae need only two things to flourish. It thrives on light and excess nutrients causing it to take over vital reefs, which in turn suffocate all living things where it rapidly spreads. Cynobacteria also poses a threat which is classified as algae even though it is a bacterial strain because of its properties. It takes hold and poses an even greater threat than algae due to its toxic releasing properties. Cynobacteria (also known as blue/green algae) is a very lethal bacterium and is lethal to humans, as well as animals if ingested. This stringy blue, green, or brown cancer fighting organism takes over large areas in the matter of hours. Some fish species consume these bacterial strains; however, with a major outbreak it would be impossible to control its growth without the use of chemicals. Corals compete over the excess amount of nutrients in the water. If the corals have bleached (died) there will be no competition therefore macro/micro algae and cynobacteria will thrive to uncontrollable proportions. Toxic and nontoxic species of algae can cause a sequential reaction of tribulations. For example, “Scientists studying the 70-mile-long zone of oxygen depleted water, along the Continental Shelf between Florence and Lincoln City, conclude that it is being caused by explosive blooms of tiny plants known as phytoplankton, which die and sink to the bottom, then are eaten by bacteria which use up the oxygen in the water. The recurring phytoplankton blooms are triggered by northerly wind, which generates a process known as upwelling in which nutrient-rich water is brought to the surface from lower depths. We are seeing wild swings from year to year in the timing and duration of the winds that are favorable for upwelling," Jane Lubchenco, professor of marine ecology at Oregon State and a member of the Pew Oceans Commission, said from Corvallis. "This increased variability in the winds is consistent with what we would expect under climate change." Jeff Barnard/ Associated Press Aug. 7 2006 11:19 AM ET.

The third concerns are Majano and Glass Anemones that pose a risk to corals and fish due to over population from abundant nutrients and intense light/UV radiation. These irritating anemones from the Caribbean and Indo-Pacific are genetically made up of zooxanthellae. They survive in shallow waters and reproduce by the fragmentation method at a rapid rate. As stated on wetwebmedia.com, As commented by As commented by Steven Pro, “They sting and kill corals as well as capture fish with their tentacles. They are unattractive, reproduce easily, have powerful stinging nematocysts which can harm or outright kill the corals or clams in the tank, and they can be challenging to eradicate.” Conscientious Aquarist/ Steven Pro. These anemones are preyed upon by very few varieties of fish, nudibranch, and shrimp; however, there would not be enough predators to destroy a large outbreak. Stress will increase from the irritation these anemones inflict and disease will spread. The risk of diseased fish and corals increase due to climate change. Both fish and corals become stressed with the slightest amount of environmental changes. Corals grow diseases that range from brown jelly disease to bacterial strains. Fish become contaminated with several different bacterial infections such as ich, black spot disease, and oodinium. These diseases spread rapidly from one species of fish to the next. The fish can also be diseased from many other sources aside from stress related issues such as pollutants, which can be transferred to animals and humans posing an even greater risk of global contamination.

The disruption of normal migration behavior of ocean life will occur in species that rely on natural instinct to move to warmer or colder waters. These varieties will not know when to migrate because the climate temperatures will appear to be of that during another season which in turn will confuse ocean life greatly. Many will die do to early or late migration. Other ocean life such as mammals that depend on certain types of food during certain seasons will be affected as well as when sources of food become too low due to early relocation. The entire oceanic food chain will be affected in one way or another. Many species will have to migrate because of the decreasing food sources. Ocean chemistry fluctuations such as salinity, nitrite, nitrate, ph, alkalinity, calcium, and other factors are an elevated risk to ocean life do to the sensitivities to change in environment. These properties are very important and the life in the ocean relies on these perimeters to continue steadiness at all times. Each of these balances one another. If only one decreases to the incorrect level it will affect one or more of the others which in turn harm corals, fish, invertebrates, and many organisms by causing stress, disease, or oxygen deprivation, and death. Even though the overall population is doing nothing about global warming, there are still many who are. I only hope it is enough to make a difference. Stephanie Schlazer of the University of Florida suggests, “The biggest way we can help prevent further destruction of coral reefs is to help curb global warming. The first step in reaching this goal is to educate people and make them aware that global warming exists and the consequences of it. Unfortunately, awareness isn't enough.  People have to do something.  The governments of many nations have met and passed bills and mandates to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. These include the Berlin Mandate and Kyoto Protocol. The United States introduced the Clean Air Act which banned the use of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).  Other ways to reduce greenhouse gases include alternative forms of energy such as solar or nuclear and taking public transportation or walking instead of driving which uses fossil fuels.”

Reef reconstruction techniques are being completed successfully. A method well known to aquarists is creating man made live rock similar to but not nearly as porous as what we find in the ocean. It’s a technique that consists of quickcrete and oyster shells or crushed coral. The more porous the rock is the greater the probability biological bacteria, copepods, amphipods, and microscopic organisms will flourish which in turn filter the water. Corals fragments (small pieces from mother colonies) are brought in from other sources either directly from other thriving areas of a reef or from those who propagate corals. Once the alternative live rock is placed into the ocean the coral fragments are attached and monitored closely for new growth. Soon the rock is covered with life and the reef healing begins. Enough damage is being made by global warming so any protection we can provide in other ways will help. Aquarists are working together to find better ways to rebuild dead and dying species by propagating numerous fragments and introducing them to the wild after they are strong enough to survive. Many are turning to only captive bred inhabitants instead of ocean captured life. Because of the growing popularity in the aquarium trade, this will greatly reduce the harm done to the reefs and will put the collectors who destroy it out of business once and for all. These collectors harm the corals when they clumsily split segments off from the reef and they poison fish and other organisms in order to capture them effortlessly. Aquarists are trading coral fragments more often with fellow hobbyist and aquarium stores in order to prevent further damage to the reefs. These corals continue to circulate fragment by fragment as mother colonies grow without the need of taking directly from the ocean. As stated in an online article supporting coral propagation techniques, “Hard corals and soft corals share space in these glass worlds with exotic clams that fan out like iridescent purple flowers, sea horses and invertebrates that include shrimp, starfish and sea mats. Harkins says she has 200 varieties of coral, 70 of which are for sale. Corals live in the shallow waters of warm tropical seas. They are listed in three classes. Soft coral, which do not build a stony skeletal base. Large polyp stonies, which build stony skeletons that become reefs, but have soft, fleshy-tissue tops. Small polyp stonies, which are over 90 percent calcium and are the real reef builders. "Those are corals that are not only on display but they're parents to the babies I make -- I actually go in there and cut those," Harkins said. Harkins said she binds the cut coral fragments to rocks or to hard, existing coral growths with toothpicks and rubber bands. Over time they attach their tissue to the rock and Harkins releases the bind and offers them for sale. That practice, called fragging, she said, reduces the stress on the live harvesting of coral from the warm waters of the world. Coral fragments, which Harkins calls her "livestock”, are individually packed for shipping in plastic bags of system water and bound with rubber bands or metal clips. The bags are then placed in plastic foam boxes with heat packs, similar to charcoal hand warmers, taped to the lid top. The box is then sealed with packing tape and shipped via overnight service. "Packed in such a fashion the livestock can sustain 48 hours or more in their bags," she said. "The longer they are in the bag though, the lower the success rate." Fragging is a method approved and encouraged by Reef Protection International, based in San Francisco. As many as 2 million people worldwide keep marine aquariums, including roughly 800,000 American households, said Reef Protection International president Drew Weiner. "There are still a lot of people unaware of the plight of coral reefs and how global warming and rising ocean temperatures are affecting them," Weiner said in a telephone interview. "They are living animals." Weiner said aqua-trade practices of collecting live coral for sale worldwide are contributing to damage to coral reefs worldwide. Captive breeding, he said, is offering some relief. "It's a simple math equation. Anyone developing captive breeding of fish or coral, without extracting something from the wild, is reducing the stress on wild reefs," he said. "It reduces the collection pressure and when the supply is local, it is not hurting existing reefs.” Doug Harlow/ Staff Writer / Kennebec Journal Morning Sentinel.

As I researched further into this topic, I became increasingly aware of the harmful effects an over abundant level of carbon dioxide has on the oceans environment. An oceanic reaction to only one global warming occurrence (I spoke of earlier) can cause a chain of reactions that are unstoppable and irreversible. Unlike the ocean many land organisms and other life can adjust to a temperature increase. This is a great concern. Our reefs contain such fragile life forms it would be ruinous to inflict these changes do to global warming events. The ocean will not adjust to our destructionist behavior. The more rapidly we make the necessary changes worldwide the more beneficial the outcome. If we wait until there is an obvious visual warning such as any of the threats I spoke of, we are going to have a colossal of issues to contend with. We need to look at the small changes that are arising in order to prevent a large scale of avoidable devastation from occurring. Jeff Barnard/ Associated Press Aug. 7 2006 11:19 AM ET. Jane Lubchenco, professor of marine ecology at Oregon State speaks of algae blooms caused from global warming. These algae blooms are causing fish and other life to die because of oxygen deprivation.

The website URL’s below are from the articles I researched on. I included in my writing quoted paragraphs from this information.

http://www.sciencenews.org/pages/sn_arc99/1_30_99/bob1.htm

Science News, Jan 30, 1999 / Janet Ralof.

Sylvia E. Earle who works for National Geographic comments on the coral reefs and how they are vanishing from coral bleaching.

http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ca/cav1i3/aiptasia_impressions/aiptaisia_impressions.htm.

Conscientious Aquarist/ Steven Pro.

Website featuring information on Aiptaisia and Majano anemones.

http://ess.geology.ufl.edu/ess/Labs/TermPapersFall99-00/Schlazer/webpage-geo.html

Stephanie Schlazer University of Florida /GLY 1073, Fall 1999

Article on coral bleaching do to global warming. Speaks of the effects global warming has on the reefs and what can be done to prevent the damage being done.

http://www.reefprotect.org/ This is a website which refers to the benefits of captive breeding species for the aquarium trade industry.

http://kennebecjournal.mainetoday.com/news/local/3609229.html Doug Harlow/ Staff Writer /Kennebec Journal Morning Sentinel Contains information on coral propagation and the benefits of coral trading instead of collecting directly from the reefs.

http://groups.google.ru/group/sci.geo.geology/msg/bc0cb6cde2ce99e3?dmode=print