"Hawaii coral to be monitored for bleaching" by Associated Press | August 23, 2010
PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii — Scientists will monitor coral in Hawaii’s northwestern islands next month for signs of bleaching that could harm the reefs.
Coral becomes stressed and expels the algae that lives inside when temperatures are warmer than normal. This causes coral to lose its color and appear white.
Corals may die if this continues for extended periods, depriving fish of vital food and habitat....
Related:
"Big fines protect Hawaii coral beds; Key to preserving habitat, tourism" by Audrey McAvoy, Associated Press | August 3, 2009
HONOLULU - .... Injured corals will have a harder time recovering from global warming and rising levels of carbon dioxide the oceans are absorbing amid growing greenhouse gas emissions....
The Navy is another target, for coral wrecked over a 6- to 10-acre area when the USS Port Royal ran aground. The Navy has already spent nearly $40 million on ship repairs and some $7 million restoring the reef, including dispatching scuba divers to help reattach more than 5,000 broken coral colonies....
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