Test tank
A ‘sun shield’ made from an ultra-thin surface film is showing promise as a potential weapon in the fight to protect the Great Barrier Reef from the impacts of coral bleaching.
Great Barrier Reef Foundation Managing Director Anna Marsden said the results from a small-scale research trial led by the scientist who also developed Australia’s polymer bank notes were very encouraging.
The project was supported by The Tiffany & Co. Foundation, made possible through a grant to the University of Melbourne USA Foundation.
“We’ve partnered with scientists from the University of Melbourne and the Australian Institute of Marine Science to develop sun protection for the Reef,” Ms Marsden said.
“The ‘sun shield’ is 50,000 times thinner than a human hair and completely biodegradable, containing the same ingredient corals use to make their hard skeletons – calcium carbonate. It’s designed to sit on the surface of the water above the corals, rather than directly on the corals, to provide an effective barrier against the sun.
“While it’s still early days, and the trials have been on a small scale, the testing shows the film reduced light by up to 30%.
“Scientists tested the effectiveness of the one molecule thick film on seven different coral species in simulated coral bleaching event conditions at the Australian Institute of Marine Science’s National Sea Simulator (SeaSim).
“The surface film provided protection and reduced the level of bleaching in most species.”
With the surface film containing the same ingredient that corals use to make their skeletons, the research also showed the film had no harmful effects on the corals during the trials.
“This is a great example of developing and testing out-of-the-box solutions that harness expertise from different areas. In this case, we had chemical engineers and experts in polymer science working with marine ecologists and coral experts to bring this innovation to life,” Ms Marsden said.
“The project set out to explore new ways to help reduce the impact of coral bleaching affecting the Great Barrier Reef and coral reefs globally and it created an opportunity to test the idea that by reducing the amount of sunlight from reaching the corals in the first place, we can prevent them from becoming stressed which leads to bleaching.
“It’s important to note that this is not intended to be a solution that can be applied over the whole 348,000 square kilometres of Great Barrier Reef – that would never be practical. But it could be deployed on a smaller, local level to protect high value or high-risk areas of reef.
“The concept needs more work and testing before it gets to that stage, but it’s an exciting development at a time when we need to explore all possible options to ensure we have a Great Barrier Reef for future generations.”
Learn more: Reef ‘sun shield’ trials show promise to prevent coral bleaching
The Latest on: Coral bleaching
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Global warming is killing the Great Barrier Reef, study says - CNN - CNN
April 18, 2018 - Marine heat waves caused by global warming are killing off the corals of Australia's Great Barrier Reef, the world's largest reef system, according to a study.
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Cold water devastates Japan's northerly coral reefs - Business Day
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How Coral Bleaching Events Affect Ecological Diversity - Pacific Standard
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Coral bleaching threatens the diversity of reef fish - Science Daily
April 6, 2018 - The Great Barrier Reef (GBR) is revered for its kaleidoscope of colour. New international research led by PhD student Laura Richardson of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies at James Cook University reveals that coral bleaching events ...
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The Latest on: Coral bleaching
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Global warming has changed the Great Barrier Reef 'forever,' scientists say
on April 18, 2018 at 12:55 pm
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Coral on the Great Barrier Reef was 'cooked' during 2016 marine heatwave, study finds
on April 18, 2018 at 12:40 pm
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The Great Barrier Reef is dying, study says
on April 18, 2018 at 11:58 am
The Great Barrier Reef experienced an extended marine heat wave in 2016 that caused massive coral bleaching and die-off. Most of the impact was along 500 miles of the northern Great Barrier Reef, its most pristine region. The reef endured coral bleaching ... […]
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Global warming is transforming the Great Barrier Reef
on April 18, 2018 at 11:52 am
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on April 18, 2018 at 11:29 am
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on April 18, 2018 at 10:19 am
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Scientists Examine Novel Options to Save Coral Reefs
on April 18, 2018 at 5:37 am
Warming events prompt scientists to look at ecological, genetic, and engineering interventions. Coral bleaching off the coast of Okinawa, Japan, in September 2016. Credit: The Ocean Agency/XL Catlin Seaview Survey/Stephanie Roach By Randy Showstack 1 min ... […]
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