Corals build 'cloud umbrellas' to help keep cool under blazing sun, study says

[Judi Lynn]

ABC Far North By Sharnie Kim and Adam Stephen
Posted about 4 hours ago



Australian researchers have found corals build "cloud umbrellas" to protect themselves from the scorching sun, and say coral loss through bleaching events could have wider ramifications for weather and agricultural production along the Queensland coast.

A team of scientists from Griffith University, Southern Cross University and the University of Southern Queensland analysed satellite data spanning 15 years to find corals produce and release aerosols into the atmosphere to create a barrier of cloud cover to help keep themselves cool.

Associate Professor Albert Gabric from Griffith University said the study looked at a 100 square kilometre area around Heron Island in the southern Great Barrier Reef.

"The corals can get stressed by strong levels of irradiance or indeed warming, warm temperatures and ocean temperatures," he said.

More:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-04-24/coral-build-cloud-umbrellas-to-protect-themselves-from-sun/9685306