The skeletal structure of hard corals are normally white, but due to zooxanthellae algae, which are tiny plants called dinoflagellates (single-celled microscopic organisms which belong to the Protista kingdom) that reside within the soft tissues of corals, they have color. These microalgae are photosynthetic, and their relationship with some corals, as well as other marine life such as Tridanid clams, nudibranchs, some sponges and even jellyfishes, is an example of endosymbiosis (symbiosis - the intimate living together of two dissimilar organisms in a mutually beneficial relationship; endo - within).
During the day the zooxanthellae photosynthesize. The coral polyps benefit from the photosynthate (product of photosynthesis), and in turn the algae benefits from the nitrogen, phosphorous, and carbon dioxide waste produced, which it needs to grow. By night the polyps feed on plankton by capturing it with their tentacles.
If the rate of photosynthetic production is too high, corals have the ability to control the amount of zooxanthellae in their tissues by expelling it. This is known as coral bleaching, which is normal. However, when corals are immoderately stressed, this causes them to expel more zooxanthellae than necessary, and therefore lose of color results from the expulsion of too much zooxanthellae, and/or the concentration of photosynthetic pigments in these organisms are diminished. Although long term bleaching can cause the partial or total death of coral colonies, if the situation is not too severe and stressful conditions are changed, it is possible for affected colonies to recover their symbiotic microalgae and start growing again.
Since stress seems to be the key to this problem occurring, let's evaluate what events are reported to be the cause of bleaching on coral reefs around the world.
- The effects of el Niño and la Niña events.
- Global warming, meaning climate changes to the earth's atmosphere due to greenhouse gas emissions, which is said to correlate with increased hurricane, tornado, flood, sand and other storm activity, sea levels rising, and so on.
What impact can these events have on marine ecosystems?
- A change in ocean currents, which relates to changes in phytoplankton and zooplankton populations, as well the amount of other nutrients present in the water.
- Increase/decrease in water temperatures.
- Increase/decrease in water salinity.
- Increase/decrease in air temperatures.
- Build up of carbon dioxide and methane gases.
- Exposure to increased ultraviolet radiation.
- Exposure to high light levels.
- Increased or high water turbulence.
- Decrease in light levels.
- Sedimentation, which relates to a decrease in light levels, as well as suffocation of sessile marine life.
- Pollution, which is not limited to the depositing of sediment from soil erosion, chemicals such asnitrite, nitrate, ammonia, phosphate, as well as other detrimental contaminants into the sea via river run-off and drain pipes.
Do any of these conditions sound familiar? They should. These are standard stress producing factors one has to be alert to when keeping a saltwater aquarium or reef tank! If you are having trouble with corals bleaching out or losing their color, even though you feel you have been providing them with a quality environment and proper care, you should evaluate and take the above points into consideration as plausible causes. It is possible that abacterial infection may be the culprit or a contributing factor as well.
~ Stan & Debbie Hauter
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