Deep Reefs May Be a Refuge for Warming-Ravaged Corals
When ocean waters are too warm, corals can become stressed, causing them to eject the symbiotic algae they rely on for food. Known as bleaching, this process turns the corals stark white, making them susceptible to starvation and death—and it’s getting worse because of climate change. However, a new study offers some hope for Earth’s coral reefs, suggesting that while corals near the surface will continue to cook and bleach, coral species in deeper water could fare much better. Survival in the depths may give corals a fighting chance.
photo credit: utnapistim