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Australia’s Great Barrier Reef (Photo
courtesy of Pixabay)
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SYDNEY, Australia – A study released
on Tuesday found that high concentration of coal dust can quickly kill coral on
Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.
The research by the Australian
Institute of Marine Science discovered coal dust could also slow the growth
rate of seagrasses and fish.
According to Kathryn Berry, corals
exposed to the highest concentrations of coral dust died within two weeks and
corals exposed to lower concentrations of coal lasted longer, yet most of them
also die after four weeks of exposure.
She noted that while some fish and
seagrass died from coal dust exposure, most stunted their growth by half
compared to clean water.
The study found coal dust entered the
marine environment at loading and storage facilities, or when it is blown into
the sea during transport.
Even though the major spill on a coral
reef or seagrass meadow is still low, consequences are clearly seen now.
Researchers hope the results will send
a message to coal shipping companies in Australia and across the world.
Source: Manila Bulletin
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