Coral Reefs

Coral Reefs

They are the most bio-diverse group of organisms found in the world's deep ocean. Coral reefs are formed by the interweaving of skeletons made of calcium carbonate by colonies of coral or coral polyp. Because of their biodiversity, they are also called "Rainforest of the Ocean".

They are spread over 0.01% of the world's oceanic area, while they provide shelter to 25% of marine organisms.

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Occurance 

They are mainly found between the Tropic of Cancer and Capricorn or between 25 degree North - 25 degree South latitudes in the tropical sea at a depth of about 200 feet with the support of an island or coast. The average ocean salinity should be 25% – 30% for these organisms.

Origin 

Coral reefs or corals mainly display symbiosis. In this, on the shell of calcium carbonate outside the coral, an algae is found in the form of fibers of 'juxan or juxanthalai', which makes food by photosynthesis in sunlight, which is used by coral organisms. In this way, on the one hand where the algae get shelter, on the other hand the coral organism gets food.

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Coral Bleaching

Coral bleaching is the process in which the destruction of the coral reef begins. This is mainly due to ocean pollution, increase in sea water temperature, increase or decrease in ocean salinity, sedimentation or siltation, infection due to pollution hinders photosynthesis in algae found on top of corals. Due to which the algae start getting destroyed and the color of the coral starts turning white. This process is called coral bleaching. And finally, if there is no improvement in the above activities, the coral dies. And their shells remain combined as remnants.

Types of Coral Reefs

There are three types of them on the basis of their position on the sea shores –

1. Fringing Reef
2. Barrier Reef
3. Coral Ring or Attol

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1. Fringing Reef

These coral reefs are attached along the coasts of the oceans. They are usually less wide and narrow. Their presence can be seen on Malaysia, Gulf of Mannar, South Florida.

2 . Barrier Reef

They are found far away from the coast, due to which they act like a barrier between the coast and the sea. Water is filled between this wall and the coast.

The Great Barrier Reef, the world's largest coral reef, is located in the Pacific Ocean to the north-east of Australia's Queensland and New South Wales. It is 1200 miles or 1600 km long. About 400 types of coral (coral fauna), 1500 types of fish species and about 4000 types of mollusca union (snails, mussels etc.) species are found in it.

3. Coral Ring or Attol

It is shaped like a ring or ring or horse shoe, which surrounds an island or coast from all sides by a coral reef.

Fura-Furi Atoll, Fiji Atoll etc. are prime examples of this.

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