All articles tagged with #coral reef
Diver Jamie Wilson filming the Great Barrier Reef captured hundreds of pale surgeonfish visiting a cleaning station, and one fish abruptly darkened from white to black. Scientists say such color changes may signal to cleaner wrasse that the fish is ready for a cleaning and not a threat, aiding parasite removal and communication in reef ecosystems.
Scientists have discovered a largely undisturbed deep-sea coral reef in a submerged canyon off Naples, offering a rare glimpse of Mediterranean biodiversity and a baseline for conservation as researchers map the habitat with advanced imaging and ROVs.
A Schmidt Ocean Institute expedition off Argentina found unexpectedly rich deep-sea biodiversity beyond a single seep, identifying 28 potential new species around a vast Bathelia candida coral reef and capturing rare sightings such as the phantom jellyfish and Argentina’s first deep-sea whale fall.
A stunning new image captured by marine biologist Phil Dustan reveals a vibrant coral reef thriving around the wreck of the Frederick W. Day schooner, located 11 miles off Charleston. The wreck, which sank in 1914, has become an artificial reef supporting diverse tropical marine life, but overfishing threatens its ecosystem. Dustan and diver Tom Robinson advocate for marine protected areas to preserve this unique underwater habitat, highlighting its ecological and climate significance.
Scientists have discovered the largest deep coral reef off the US Atlantic coast, stretching for about 310 miles from Florida to South Carolina and reaching 68 miles wide at some points. This reef, found at depths ranging from 655 feet to 3,280 feet, is nearly three times the size of Yellowstone National Park and provides habitat for a variety of marine life. Using new underwater mapping technology, researchers identified 83,908 individual coral mound peak features in the Blake Plateau, highlighting the significance of this previously unknown reef ecosystem.
Scientists have used new underwater mapping technology to discover the largest deep-sea coral reef off the U.S. Atlantic coast, stretching for about 310 miles from Florida to South Carolina and reaching 68 miles wide at some points. This reef, found at depths of 655 to 3,280 feet, provides habitat for various marine life and is nearly three times the size of Yellowstone National Park. The discovery highlights the importance of mapping the ocean floor and raises awareness about the vulnerability of deep-sea reefs to climate change and human activities.
A new species of soft coral, named Ofwegenum coronalucis, has been discovered off the coast of Oman. The colonial animal, with a "crown" of light, was found by researchers exploring shallow reefs and is considered rare, with a unique blue-green coloring. The discovery highlights the vast biodiversity in the oceans and the need for further exploration and understanding of marine life.
Underwater footage reveals the damage caused by a US Navy P-8A plane crash to an endangered coral reef in Hawaii's Kaneohe Bay. The plane overshot the runway and damaged the coral, with its tires getting lodged between them. Biologists are planning restoration efforts to give the flipped-over corals a better chance of survival. The plane was successfully recovered after 13 hours, and no contaminants from the crash spilled into the bay. A dead sea turtle was found near the crash site, and its cause of death is being investigated.
The US Navy estimates that it will cost $1.5 million to salvage a jet plane that crashed on a coral reef in Hawaii, with $200,000 already spent on the operation. The Navy plans to use inflatable cylinders to lift and roll the plane off the reef, aiming to protect the environment and retain the aircraft's combat capability. The cause of the crash is under investigation, and the Navy is confident that the salvage operation can be carried out without further damaging the reef. The jet, a P-8A, is in good condition, and the Navy hopes to get it flying again.
The U.S. Navy has released a $1.5 million plan to remove a surveillance plane that crashed into Kaneohe Bay in Hawaii. The plan involves using inflatable cylinders to lift and roll the jet off the coral reef before removing it from the ocean waters. The salvage operation, estimated to cost around $1.5 million, aims to safely recover the aircraft while protecting the environment and retaining its combat capability. Rear Adm. Kevin Lenox, leading the salvage effort, expressed confidence that the operation can be carried out without further damaging the reef.
Underwater video released by the US Navy shows a plane that overshot a runway resting on a coral reef in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. The plane, which has been stuck for over a week, is partially supported by the reef, with the left engine resting on coral. The Navy is investigating the cause of the incident and has removed most of the fuel from the aircraft. Environmental concerns have been raised due to potential damage to the reef, and a damage assessment will be conducted once the plane is removed.
The U.S. Navy has released underwater footage showing a large airplane that overshot a runway and landed in shallow water off Marine Corps Base Hawaii, with its tires resting on parts of a coral reef. The Navy is working on a plan to remove the aircraft, which has been stuck in Kaneohe Bay for over a week. No injuries were reported, and the Navy has already removed most of the fuel from the plane. Environmental officials are concerned about potential damage to the coral reef and plan to conduct a damage assessment once the plane is removed.
The mass mortality of sea urchins, particularly black sea urchins, in the Mediterranean Sea has spread to the Gulf of Eilat, threatening to destroy the coral reef. Sea urchins are essential for coral reefs' healthy functioning, as they eat large amounts of plant materials, ensuring a balance that allows the corals to thrive against the algae. The pathology observed in the sea urchins dying in Greece and Turkey is identical to the pathology in the Caribbean, and it's also the pathology seen in the sea urchins dying in the Red Sea. The cause of mortality is a pathogenic ciliate parasite, and the team has submitted their report and recommendations for emergency steps to save the coral reefs to the Nature and Parks Authority.
A deadly epidemic has caused mass mortality of black sea urchins in the Mediterranean Sea and the Gulf of Eilat, wiping out the entire population of black sea urchins in Eilat over a couple of months. Sea urchins are considered key species essential for the healthy functioning of the coral reef. The researchers assume that the source of the deadly epidemic is a pathogenic ciliate parasite that has spread from the Mediterranean to the Red Sea, posing a threat to Eilat's coral reef. Emergency steps for protecting Israel's coral reefs are now under consideration.
A scuticociliate, a single-celled organism, has been identified as the cause of the 2022 mass die-off of long-spined sea urchins in the Caribbean and Florida’s east coast. These urchins are crucial for coral reef health, and the discovery raises questions about the ciliate’s presence, growth conditions, and potential impact on other species. The research team used genomic techniques to identify the ciliate in every affected urchin specimen and confirmed it as the disease source by performing infection experiments at the USF College of Marine Science.