State of the Oceans — Log 76
YOUR WEEKLY BRIEFING FROM PARLEY
This image by Rick Miskiv, header image by The Ocean Agency / Catlin Seaview Survey
CORALS
The Great Barrier Reef is suffering another mass bleaching event, the third in the past five years. Experts from James Cook University confirmed the grim news after completing aerial surveys that covered over 130,000 square miles of the underwater natural wonder, which is home to thousands of fish, reptile, shark, and mammal species.
Global heating caused by greenhouse gas emissions is the primary cause of bleaching – a stress response where corals release their colorful, symbiotic algae. Though bleached corals are not necessarily dead, mass bleaching events did kill half of the Great Barrier Reef’s shallow water corals in 2016 and 2017.
CLIMATE CHANGE
More good news on carbon emissions this week, with the world’s wind power capacity growing by almost a fifth in 2019 after a year of record growth for offshore windfarms and a boom in onshore projects in the US and China. Meanwhile, global coal power plant development declined for the fourth year running in 2019. So far in 2020, a total of 13 gigawatts (GW) of capacity construction has been delayed due to the coronavirus, research by a group of environmental organizations shows. Unfortunately, even with the overall decline, the world is still not on track for the steep reductions in coal power necessary to meet goals to limit global heating. Scientists have said coal use needs to fall 80% by 2030 to limit warming to 1.5 degrees C.
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CORONAVIRUS
According to our UK collaborators Surfers Against Sewage, there is a minor risk that the new coronavirus could affect water-users and water quality. While the new virus has been detected in infected patient’s stool, there is no evidence yet suggesting that it is present in waterways. If it were to enter sewage systems, wastewater treatment would likely neutralize the virus as it has other coronaviruses (e.g., SARS and MERS). But if the virus entered waters untreated, it could potentially pose a risk. If you decide to swim or surf, Surfers Against Sewage urges you to first check with local water quality resources.
PLASTIC POLLUTION
A bacterium that feeds on toxic plastic has been discovered by scientists. The bug was found at a waste site where plastic had been dumped, and is the first that is known to attack polyurethane. Millions of tons of the plastic is produced every year to use in items such as sports shoes, diapers, kitchen sponges and as foam insulation, but it is mostly sent to landfill because it it too tough to recycle. When broken down it can release toxic and carcinogenic chemicals which would kill most bacteria, but the newly discovered strain is able to survive. While the research has identified the bacterium and some of its key characteristics, a lot of work remains to be done before it can be used to treat large amounts of waste plastic.
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MARINE LIFE
From vibrant smoke screens to colorful invitations, many sea creatures exhibit marvelous displays of light, or bioluminescence. Photophores are the organs through which most animals produce light, but a recent study of a deep-sea shrimp suggests that these tiny glands can detect light, too. A Florida research team found that the species Janicella spinicauda is covered in dozens of photophores that 1) respond to light and 2) contain genes typically associated with eyes. The study’s authors believe that they could help this shrimp – and possibly other deep sea life – adjust to light during migrations to the surface.
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