• UGI USER
  • Dec 27, 2022
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Cryomesh and Frozen Coral

Why in the News?

While working on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, scientists have successfully trialed a new method for freezing and storing coral in their first trial.

What is the Need for Freezing Coral?

  • Scientists are working to conserve coral reefs because rising ocean temperatures threaten the fragile ecosystems of coral.
  • In the past seven years, the Great Barrier Reef has had four bleaching episodes, including the first-ever bleach that occurred during a La Nia occurrence, which is known to bring colder temperatures.
  • Coral larvae were frozen using the cryomesh by researchers at the Australian Institute of Marine Sciences (AIMS).

What is the Methodology of Freezing Coral?

  • Cryomesh:
    • Cryomesh was devised by a team from the University of Minnesota’s College of Science and Engineering.
    • This is lightweight and can be manufactured cheaply.
    • It better preserves coral and has the properties of cryoplates.
    • The mesh technology will help store coral larvae at -196°C (-320.8°F).
  • Significance:
    • This cryogenically frozen coral can be stored and later reintroduced to the wild.
    • But current process requires sophisticated equipment including lasers, however a new lightweight “cryomesh” can be manufactured cheaply and better preserves coral.

What are Coral Reefs?

  • About:
    • Marine invertebrates or animals without spines include corals. Corals are classified as belonging to the phylum Cnidaria and the class Anthozoa.
    • The polyps that make up coral are genetically similar animals. In the tissues of these polyps, there are tiny algae called zooxanthellae.
    • Algae and corals interact in a mutualistic way.
    • The chemicals required for photosynthesis are supplied to the zooxanthellae by the coral.
    • In exchange, the coral receives organic photosynthetic byproducts from the zooxanthellae, such as carbohydrates, which are used by the coral polyps to create their calcium carbonate skeletons.
    • In addition to giving corals the nutrients they require, zooxanthellae are in charge of giving corals their distinctive and lovely hues.
    • The “rainforests of the oceans” is another name for them.
  • There are two types of corals:
    • Hard, shallow-water corals—the kind that builds reefs.
    • Soft corals and deepwater corals that live in dark cold waters.
  • Significance:
    • They support over 25% of marine biodiversity even though they take up only 1% of the seafloor.
    • The marine life supported by reefs further fuels global fishing industries.
      • Besides, coral reef systems generate USD 2.7 trillion in annual economic value through goods and service trade and tourism.

What is the Great Barrier Reef?

  • It is the world’s most extensive and spectacular coral reef ecosystem composed of over 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands.
  • The reef is located in the Coral Sea (North-East Coast), off the coast of Queensland, Australia.
  • It can be seen from outer space and is the world’s biggest single structure made by living organisms.
  • It was selected as a World Heritage Site in 1981.

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ) Prelims

 Q.1 Which of the following have species that can establish a symbiotic relationship with other organisms? (2021)

  1. Cnidarians
  2. Fungi
  3. Protozoa

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans: (d)

Q.2 Consider the following statements: (2018)

  1. Most of the world’s coral reefs are in tropical waters.
  2. More than one-third of the world’s coral reefs are located in the territories of Australia, Indonesia and Philippines.
  3. Coral reefs host far more animal phyla than those hosted by tropical rainforests.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans: (d)

 

Q.3 Which of the following have coral reefs? (2014)

  1. Andaman and Nicobar Islands
  2. Gulf of Kachchh
  3. Gulf of Mannar
  4. Sunderbans

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1, 2 and 3 only

(b) 2 and 4 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Ans: (a)

 

Mains

  1. Assess the impact of global warming on the coral life system with examples. (2019)