Vast coral reef explored in Brazil

NPR : The presence of an extensive coral reef at the mouth of South America’s Amazon River has surprised researchers. The reason is the unlikely environment—muddy, freshwater rather than the clear, salty seawater that plays host to most of the world’s reefs. Fabiano Thompson of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil and his colleagues, whose study appears in Science Advances, recently conducted the largest ever survey of the reef. Previous efforts had been hampered by the rough waters and depth of the reef, which can be as much as 100 m. The researchers found that the reef covers some 9500 km², an area larger than Delaware, and is home to numerous species, including red algae, sponges, corals, and fish. Moreover, many specimens collected have yet to be identified and may represent entirely new species. There may be much more to be discovered: The survey covered just 10% of the system. From what they’ve seen, the researchers say the reef may represent a unique ecosystem. That identification will be important to garner support to protect the area, particularly from the exploratory oil and gas drilling that has already begun nearby.