crown

Subscribe Now

FOLLOW US

Sign in

Australia’s Great Barrier Reef is bleaching into extinction

File photo shows a diver swimming on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. Stretching over 2300 kms, the great barrier reef is one of the largest living structures on the planet and a home to a wide array of living organisms. While its formation dates back to millions of years ago, it was first documented by the English explorer James Cook on June 11, 1770. However unparalleled coral bleaching due to rising sea surface temperatures has damaged two-thirds of the reef. (Brain Cassey / AP File)

Updated on: Jun 13, 2017 12:01 AM IST

Share via

Copy link

1/8

File photo shows a diver swimming on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. Stretching over 2300 kms, the great barrier reef is one of the largest living structures on the planet and a home to a wide array of living organisms. While its formation dates back to millions of years ago, it was first documented by the English explorer James Cook on June 11, 1770. However unparalleled coral bleaching due to rising sea surface temperatures has damaged two-thirds of the reef. (Brain Cassey / AP File)

Updated on Jun 13, 2017 12:01 AM

File photo shows a diver swimming on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. Stretching over 2300 kms, the great barrier reef is one of the largest living structures on the planet and a home to a wide array of living organisms. While its formation dates back to millions of years ago, it was first documented by the English explorer James Cook on June 11, 1770. However unparalleled coral bleaching due to rising sea surface temperatures has damaged two-thirds of the reef. (Brain Cassey / AP File)

2/8

Oliver Lanyon, Senior Ranger in the Great Barrier Reef takes photographs and notes during an inspection. Scientists concede that the amount of coral that died from bleaching in 2016 was much higher than original estimates and greater damage is expected in 2017. (David Gray / Reuters File )

Updated on Jun 13, 2017 12:01 AM

Oliver Lanyon, Senior Ranger in the Great Barrier Reef takes photographs and notes during an inspection. Scientists concede that the amount of coral that died from bleaching in 2016 was much higher than original estimates and greater damage is expected in 2017. (David Gray / Reuters File )

3/8

Coral bleaching occurs when polyps can no longer continue their symbiotic relationship with algae like ‘zooxanthellae’ which reside inside their tissues, giving corals their distinct colour and also aiding photosynthesis. In exchange, the corals provide these ‘zooxanthellae’ with carbon dioxide and ammonia. (William WEST / AFP File )

Updated on Jun 13, 2017 12:01 AM

Coral bleaching occurs when polyps can no longer continue their symbiotic relationship with algae like ‘zooxanthellae’ which reside inside their tissues, giving corals their distinct colour and also aiding photosynthesis. In exchange, the corals provide these ‘zooxanthellae’ with carbon dioxide and ammonia. (William WEST / AFP File )

4/8

Rising sea surface temperatures disrupt this symbiotic relationship with the coral expelling the ‘zooxanthellae’, and inhibits the re-formation of their colonies. (David Gray / REUTERS File)

Updated on Jun 13, 2017 12:01 AM

Rising sea surface temperatures disrupt this symbiotic relationship with the coral expelling the ‘zooxanthellae’, and inhibits the re-formation of their colonies. (David Gray / REUTERS File)

5/8

The event is partly caused by the strong El Nino weather system with global warming remaining the underlying cause. (David Gray / REUTERS File)

Updated on Jun 13, 2017 12:01 AM

The event is partly caused by the strong El Nino weather system with global warming remaining the underlying cause. (David Gray / REUTERS File)

6/8

An aerial view of the Great Barrier Reef along the central coast of Queensland. Coral bleaching is expected to accelerate unless global greenhouse gas emissions are cut. (Sarah LAI / AFP File)

Updated on Jun 13, 2017 12:01 AM

An aerial view of the Great Barrier Reef along the central coast of Queensland. Coral bleaching is expected to accelerate unless global greenhouse gas emissions are cut. (Sarah LAI / AFP File)

7/8

A diver injects a crown-of-thorns starfish with vinegar on the Great Barrier Reef. Common household vinegar has been found to be surprisingly effective against these preying starfish. (AFP)

Updated on Jun 13, 2017 12:01 AM

A diver injects a crown-of-thorns starfish with vinegar on the Great Barrier Reef. Common household vinegar has been found to be surprisingly effective against these preying starfish. (AFP)

8/8

Corals can recover if the water temperature drops and the algae like protozoa are able to recolonise them, but it can take more than a decade. (Randy Bergman / AP File)

Updated on Jun 13, 2017 12:01 AM

Corals can recover if the water temperature drops and the algae like protozoa are able to recolonise them, but it can take more than a decade. (Randy Bergman / AP File)

Related Photos

Home/Photos/News/Australia’s Great Barrier Reef Is Bleaching Into Extinction

© 2026 HindustanTimes