Climate change will dissolve coral: study
CLIMATE change will have a devastating effect on coral reefs such as the Great Barrier Reef, a study has found.
Research by The University of Queensland published on Tuesday found coral dissolved rapidly when exposed to warmer and more acidic water caused by rising carbon dioxide levels.
Co-author Associate Professor Sophie Dove, from the university's School of Biological Sciences, said even low emission levels caused the coral to bleach and die.
"Given corals are essential to coral reefs, this is not good news," she said.
"This has serious implications for the role of coral reefs in providing habitat for thousands of species and their role in protecting coastlines from wave impacts."
The nine-month study used computers to control carbon dioxide levels and the temperature of water flowing over small patches of coral reef at a research centre on Queensland's Heron Island.
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http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/breaking-news/climate-change-will-dissolve-coral-study/story-fn3dxiwe-1226709971131