Coral in Crisis

Audio

12/14/2007

Dec. 14, 2007

Coral in Crisis

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The world's coral reefs are in great danger, threatened by climate change and rising carbon dioxide levels. In an article published in the journal Science, researchers provide provide three different scenarios for the fate of reef-building corals worldwide as they face higher concentrations of atmospheric carbon dioxide and the related ocean acidification that slows coral calcification, the process needed for a reef to grow. Increasing CO2 levels have the potential to greatly shift the chemistry of ocean waters, threatening the existence of most coral species.

The fragile corals also face a phenomenon known as 'bleaching,' caused by rising temperatures, and damage from overfishing, pollution, and oil and gas exploration. We'll hear about the forecast for the future of the world's coral.

Produced by Karin Vergoth

Guests

Ken Caldeira
Chemical Oceanographer

The Carnegie Institution, Department
of Global Ecology

Stanford University

Stanford, California

Discussion

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