Great Barrier Reef Experiences Record Temperatures

Over the past decade, sea temperatures in the Great Barrier Reef off the coast of Australia have been the warmest in 400 years, according to a recent study published in the prestigious journal Nature.

The warmer temperatures are most likely due to climate change caused by human factors, according to the study.

Sea temperatures around the spectacular coral reef have increased annually since 1960, but were notably warmer during recent episodes of mass coral bleaching.

According to the researchers, temperatures were relatively stable before 1900, but since 1960 the water has warmed by an average of 0.12 degrees until today.

Coral bleaching – which occurs as a result of rising sea temperatures – means that the microorganisms that live in symbiosis with the coral animals remove themselves from the corals, which then turn white and die.

– These are corals that have lived for 400 years, and these are the warmest temperatures they are experiencing, says Helen McGregor, one of the authors of the study, adding that she is “extremely worried” about the reef.

McGregor says that even if the corals were able to recover, recurring coral bleaching episodes reduce that ability.