Corals from tropical oceans around the world are being placed in deep freeze at a British Zoo to preserve them against extinction for future generations owing to the rapid destruction of coral due to increase in greenhouse gas emission levels.

Research has shown that by 2040 almost all of the worlds coral reefs will be dead, wiped out by the rising oceans temperature and  increasing acidity levels caused by rising CO2 levels in the atmosphere. The ZSL or the Zoological Society of London is planning the world’s first “Coral Cryobank” where thousands of samples of coral of every species will be cryogenically frozen at -200 degrees centigrade in liquid nitrogen.

Whipsnade Zoo in Bedfordshire has been identified for the new location of the Global Coral Cryobank, where an attempt to store samples of every species of coral on earth is to be made. There are currently over 1800 known tropical corals and around 3,350 cold water species. A Recent scientific breakthrough in regenerating coral from frozen samples is what led to the creation of the Cryobank.

In the wake of rising concerns over the destruction of reefs across the world, and studies made by scientists by observing the effects of the rising CO2 levels on the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, have led many to believe that the gradual destruction of reefs across the world is inevitable.  This month 120 legislators from across 16 countries will meet in Copenhagen to discuss how to prevent the destruction of reefs and marine ecosystems and preserve marine ecosystems. The move by the ZSL in the creation of the new coral cryobank is a ground-breaking effort to preserve coral reefs and an example that will be followed by many others. The Smithsonian Institute in Washington is already considering a similar preserve for coral along the same lines as the ZSL, in order to protect coral reefs for future generations.

* Photo credits: Photos by only_point_five, utnapistim on flickr

What is Fire Coral?

Most Scuba divers who have dived in tropical or sub-tropical reefs will have been cautioned about getting stung by the notorious Fire Coral, and will have filed away the information as just one of the many things that can sting or harm you underwater.

Fire Coral also known as Stinging or Red Sea Coral belongs to the Milleporina order of species and contrary to popular belief isn’t really a coral at all. Fire corals are marine organisms that form colonies that look just like real coral; they are actually closely related to the jellyfish family and other stinging anemones.   The Fire Coral gets its name from the painful burning sting that it inflicts on the unwary diver that brushes against it.

How does it look? How can I identify Fire Coral?

Fire Coral is unfortunately rather polymorphic and can appear in several physical forms. Sometimes it appears heavily branched and delicate in appearance, other times it is more, fan-blade shaped and massive. Most common forms it appears is either branched, plated, or encrusted.   It is believed to have close to 50 varieties of Fire Coral species making it rather hard to describe. Most of the time Fire corals have a bright yellow-green and brown skeletal covering fading to a whitish hue at the tips, and will be soft and hairy  and rounded up close.

Where does it exist?

Fire Coral are widely distributed in tropical and subtropical waters. Primarily occurs in the Indian and Pacific Oceans.

Fire corals form extensive outcrops on projecting parts of the reef where the tidal currents are strong. They are also abundant on upper reef slopes and in lagoons, and occur down to depths of 40 meters.

What does it Do?

Fire Coral belongs to the family of Milleporina,  Millepora means ‘many pores’. Upon close inspection, the coral appears to have long fine hairs that protrude from the skeleton. The hairs possess clusters of stinging cells (nematocysts) that inflict the stings on human skin. These hairs capture prey, and help feed the coral.

Divers often mistake fire coral for sea weed or normal coral and may brush against it or lean on it for support. Upon contact the very small nematocysts on the corals hairs release toxins while the sharp calcified exo-skeleton cuts the divers’ skin. A fire Coral sting can cause intense pain and can be felt from two days to up to two weeks. The degree of pain varies on the duration of contact and the number of nematocysts that entered the wound.

Prevention

The best method of prevention is to practice and master Buoyancy control and avoid unnecessary contact with any coral.  Wearing full wetsuits & diving gloves is a good way to ensure you don’t accidentally get in contact with Fire Coral.

What do I do if I get stung?

The first step is to rinse the wound or affected area with salt water, as fresh water will increase the pain. Secondly use vinegar (acetic acid) or Isopropyl Alcohol to kill any remaining stinging cells clinging to your skin and help break down the toxin. Use tweezers to put out any stinging hairs. Immobilize the affected limb to prevent spreading and Finally, apply hydrocortisone cream as necessary to reduce inflammation. It is also critical to watch the wound for infection, which will have to be treated with antibiotics by a doctor.

If the diver displays symptoms like shortness of breath and swelling of the tongue, neck and face, he has probably developed an allergic reaction to the sting and should be treated for allergy and rushed to a hospital.

Photos by: Nick Hobgood, Tim Sheerman-Chase, Scary Cow, welshcathy, Paul and Jill, Craig Grobler

Coral Reefs are huge Scuba Diving attractions. Brilliant colors like pinks, purples, yellows and reds stand out against the hues of blue. Shoals of brightly colored fish dart in and out of the different type of coral, sea anemones, sea urchins and sponges.These ecosystems are the forest of the Oceans and 25% of all marine life reside in these reefs. The rich colorful environment of coral reefs, along with it’s wealth of marine life make it the most popular type of diving destination to explore and discover. Here’s a take of the most stunning Coral Reefs and Reef areas in the World-

1. The Great Barrier Reef: The most popular and largest reef in the world, the Great Barrier Reef is situated off the coast of Queensland, Australia. Contrary to belief it is not one big coral reef but is composed of over 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands that stretches over 3,000 kilometres (1,600 miles) over an area of approximately 344,400 square kilometres (133,000 sq miles). Seen from space and rated on of the 7 wonders of the World, its no wonder it’s a Top Dive destination.
The Barrier reef displays over 30 species of whales, dolphins and porpoises . Turtles, dugongs, sea snakes and sharks among over 1,500 species of fish  and 400 species of coral have made these reefs their home.

* Photos by In Veritas Lux on flickr (top) Eulinky on flickr(bottom)

2. Belize Barrier Reef: The second largest coral reef system and almost as popular as the Great Barrier Reef is the Belize Barrier Reef.  Roughly 300 meters (1,000 ft) offshore in the north and 40 kilometers (25 miles) in the south of Belize is the Coral Reef stretching 900 kilometers (560 miles) long. The Belize Reefs attract close to 130,000 visitors to the Country of which scuba diving an snorkeling are very popular.

Part of these reefs is the ever famous Belize Great Blue Hole, a large underwater sinkhole almost perfectly circular in shape, over 300 meters (984 ft) across and 125 meters (410 ft) deep. It’s rated one of the Top 10 Dive Sites in the World and a Must Dive on most diver’s list of dive destinations.

* Photo by Lauretta Burke, World Resources Institute Staff on flickr

3. New Caledonia Barrier Reef: Located in New Caledonia in the South Pacific is the second longest reef after the Great Barrier but isn’t as popular as the Belize Barrier Reef. Reaching a length of 1,500 kilometers (930 miles), the reef encloses a lagoon of 24,000 square kilometers (9,300 sq miles). The average depth of the reefs are about 25 meters (82 ft).

Much of the enormous 1,000 odd species diversity in New Caledonia is yet unclassified as new species of fish and invertebrates.The reefs provide one of the main nesting sites for the Green turtle and is a popular place to spot the rare dugong.

4. Andros, Bahamas: Affectionately known by Bahamians as the “Big Yard”, the largest island in the Bahamas, Andros is home to the third largest Barrier Reef in the World. The Reef extends over 140 miles (230kms) long.

The Island offers some exciting diving of a different kind.Wall diving and Blue hole diving. The island sits on the edge of the steep oceanic trench called the Tongue of the Ocean. This means that when you dive off one side of the island you don’t see a long low reef, but an underwater wall which goes down and down to 6000 feet. The island’s blue holes are water filled cave systems which are very popular dive sites. They attract cave divers from all over the world to dive sites such as ‘Stargate’, ‘The Guardian’ and ‘Little Frenchman’.

* image- fundensity.com

5. Red Sea Coral Reef: Located off the coast of Israel, Egypt and Saudi Arabia, the Red Sea features extensive shallow shelves, noted for their marine life and corals. The fringing reefs are said to be 5000-7000 years old and are largely formed of stony acropora and porites corals.

The reef stretches 2,000 km (1,240 miles) along the coastline and have a rich and diverse ecosystem found nowhere else. 10% of it’s 1,200 species of fish are found only here. Sharks are a common sighting and over 44 species are recorded in the Red Sea. The Dahab Blue Hole is part of this Coral Reef and a very popular dive site.