The Great Barrier Reef will experience coral bleaching every two years by 2034, according to a study

One of the seven wonders of the natural world, and the largest living thing on earth, visible from space – The Great Barrier Reef faces the dangers of coral bleaching, which due to current levels of pollution greenhouse gases, may be discolored According to one study, the risk

is severe.

Limiting the temperature rise above pre-industrial levels to 1.5 degrees Celsius is critical for reef survival worldwide, according to the report. The report also predicts that 70 percent of coral reefs will be threatened with long-term degradation by 2100 if global temperature rises 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. An increase of 2 degrees Celsius in global temperature above pre-industrial levels would put 99% of the corals at risk.

Coral mbad mortality is the result of two consecutive coral bleaching events in 2016 and 2017 respectively suggest experts

How the largest coral reef is slowly dying

There were four major bleaching events on the Australian reef.

The longest and worst for the Great Barrier Reef was in 2016 when bleaching caused by climate change left about 25% of dead reefs. It is said that global warming is one of the factors that worsen the acceleration of coral bleaching.

In 2017, mbadive bleaching was reported again, killing 20% ​​of the largest coral system.

Bleaching occurs when abnormal environmental conditions, such as warmer sea temperatures, cause the corals to expel tiny photosynthetic algae, which empties them of their color.

Algae are essential for corals. grow. Algae are also responsible for their bright colors, as most coral polyp bodies are clear and colorless.

The loss of algae makes them more susceptible to disease and eventually lead to their death.

However, if the water drops and the algae are able to re-colonize them, the coral can recover.

Read: 90 percent of Japan's coral reefs die, says study