Context:
84% of the world’s coral reefs impacted in the fourth global coral bleaching event
Coral Bleaching:
- A phenomenon where Corals lose their vibrant colors due to environmental stress
- Occurs when corals expel the symbiotic algae (zooxanthellae) living in their tissues, turning them completely white.
- Causes –
- Temperature Rise: Increased sea temperatures due to climate change.
- Ocean Acidification: Excess carbon dioxide absorption reduces coral calcification.
- Pollution: Agricultural runoff, plastic waste, and oil spills harm coral health.
- Overfishing: Disrupts marine ecosystems, affecting coral survival.
- Sedimentation: Coastal development leads to excess sediment, suffocating corals.
- Effects – Loss of biodiversity in marine ecosystems, Reduced coastal protection from storms and erosion and Economic impact on tourism and fisheries.
Coral Conservation Technologies:
- Microfragmentation – Breaks corals into small pieces to accelerate growth.
- Reduces recovery time from decades to a few years.
- Artificial Reefs – Man-made structures that provide habitats for marine life.
- Coral Nurseries – Underwater farms where corals are grown before being transplanted to reefs.
- Biorock Technology – Uses a low-voltage electrical current on submerged metal frames to stimulate the deposition of calcium carbonate.
- 3D-Printed Reef Structures – Mimic the complexity of natural reefs, providing habitat for marine life and a foundation for coral growth.
- Coral Cryopreservation – Cryobanking coral larvae and genetic material preserves biodiversity and allows for future restoration.
Source: ICRI
Previous Year Question
“Biorock technology” is talked about in which one of the following situations?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2022 Prelims]
(a) Restoration of damaged coral reefs
(b) Development of building materials using plant residues
(c) Identification of areas for exploration/extraction of shale gas
(d) Providing salt licks for wild animals in forests/protected areas
Answer: (a)