Scientists think that perhaps electrically shocking coral reefs are a good idea – BGR

It is no secret that the coral reefs of the Earth are in dire need of TLC. Extreme weather conditions and man-made global warming have resulted in the massive loss of corals around the world and countries are spending huge sums of money trying to solve the problem. If we let the coral die, it will cost us dear, so all efforts are on the table.

A new initiative requires metal and electricity, which does not seem to be a combination that would allow the coral to get back on its feet. Nevertheless, as NewScientist reports, it could actually be the perfect recipe for recovery.

You see, when the coral dies, it takes a long time to recover. The conditions must be ideal enough for the revitalization of a reef system, and when warmer than normal seawater whitens a portion of reef, it essentially repels all life. These bleaching events can cause the permanent collapse of the entire reef ecosystem, but giving a boost to corals can help the tiny bodies that build the reefs.

An effective method for scientists is to place metal grids on difficult areas of the reef and then circulate the electric current. This seemingly strange technique actually draws in minerals, which gives the coral a boost, which increases up to four times faster than it would otherwise.

Conservation specialists at Reef Ecologic are currently using this method to restore damaged coral sections on Australia's Great Barrier Reef. Previously, the same technique had been proven on reefs in the Caribbean and elsewhere. If it works as expected, some parts of the reef could return to their normal size in just a few years, but that assumes that humans are intervening and working towards a sustainable future that will not cause ocean temperature peaks year after year.