The coral reef defends itself against climate change by producing clouds

    The coral reef defends itself against climate change by producing clouds

    The coral reef knows how to defend itself well against climate change. How? By producing a chemical that can cool the local 'climate' in which this complex living ecosystem is found. Although man inflicts atrocious pains on her, Nature knows how to defend herself. And this is just the latest test



    He is about to end up run over, his mother saves him



    La barrier Reef it knows how to defend itself well against climate change. How? Producing a chemical substance capable of cooling the local 'climate' in which this complex living ecosystem is found. Although man inflicts excruciating pain on her, Nature knows how to defend itself. And this is just the latest test.

    To discover the hidden abilities of barrier Reef was a study by the Smithsonian Institution. With their vibrant colors and exotic fish, coral reefs around the world are constantly threatened by the global rise in temperatures due to pollution.

    But as always, Nature is able to surpass man. Of coral reefs it is often said that their habitats are among the most sensitive to water heating. Very true. Let's not forget that they are halved over the past 27 years. However, what the new research has found is that barriers don't passively undergo climate change but respond in kind.

    Led by Jean-Baptiste Raina, the researchers found that coral can release a chemical, the dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP), which helps him "engineer" his environment and ward off global warming.

    This substance can increase the cloud production in the immediate vicinity of the coral. In fact, when the DMSP is released into the environment, the bacteria living in the water convert it into a gas, dimethyl sulfide (DMS). The latter, according to scientists, is able to control the local climate by stimulating the formation of clouds. And more clouds, means more rain and colder ocean waters to live in.

    For the first time, an animal was found to produce DMSP. Previously, scientists thought it was the algae that live in the coral that produced it. But let's not delude ourselves. Such a system of self defence in the long run it stresses the coral, accelerating its decline.



    Nature knows how to defend itself, it is true, but not when it is reduced to the limit.


    Francesca Mancuso

    READ also:

    - Coral reef under attack: US fighters drop 4 unarmed bombs (video)

    - The coral reef has halved in just 27 years

    - Coral reefs: a database of photos to map and protect them

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