Aerosols connected to coral growth rates

BBC : Coral reefs around the world have been significantly affected by a variety of factors caused by human expansion. A study by Lester Kwiatkowski of the University of Exeter and his colleagues examined coral growth rates between 1880 and 2000 off the coasts of Belize and Panama. They found a correlation between increases in atmospheric particulates and decreases in coral growth rates. An increase in aerosols leads to more reflection of incoming sunlight and, with it, cooler sea surface temperatures and reduction of sunlight available for photosynthesis. As a result, coral growth slows. However, the researchers also found that the cooling effect may help prevent the bleaching of coral caused by the higher acidity of sea water that is occurring due to global warming. Kwiatkowski’s group says that the aerosols come from the burning of coal and other fossil fuels and from volcanic eruptions. Because many reefs are near developing countries that are primarily powered by fossil fuels, the effects on coral reefs could be significant.