Coral bleaching

Coral bleaching is the whitening of corals, due to stress-induced expulsion or death of their symbiotic, zooxanthellae, or due to the loss of pigmentation within the protozoa. The corals that form the structure of the great reef ecosystems of tropical seas depend upon a symbiotic relationship with unicellular flagellate protozoa, called zooxanthellae, that are photosynthetic and live within their tissues. Zooxanthellae give coral its coloration, with the specific color depending on the particular clade. Under stress, corals may expel their zooxanthellae, which leads to a lighter or completely white appearance, hence the term "bleached".

Once bleaching begins, it tends to continue even without continuing stress. If the coral colony survives the stress period, zooxanthellae often require weeks to months to return to normal density.[3] The new residents may be of a different species. Some species of zooxanthellae and corals are more resistant to stress than other species.

Source: WIKIPEDIA

BUBU RESORT

For more pictures follow us on

Top dive spots closed due to coral bleaching

ALOR SETAR: Several dive sites at two of the top diving destinations in the world — the Pulau Tioman marine park in Pahang and Pulau Redang marine park in Terengganu — are temporarily off-limits to divers and snorkellers until end-October.

They are among three marine parks — the other being Pulau Payar in Kedah — which are affected by coral bleaching, a phenomenon caused by global warming that has increased sea water temperature by 2°C to between 28°C and 29°C.

Marine Park Department director-general Abd Jamal Mydin said the affected dive sites in Terengganu were Teluk Dalam, Tanjung Tukas Darat, Tanjung Tukas Laut, Teluk Air Tawar, Pulau Tenggol and Teluk Bakau; and in Pahang they were Pulau Chebeh and Batu Malang.

For more details kindly visit www.thestar.com.my
Courstesy of www.thestar.com.my

BUBU RESORT

For more pictures follow us on

Coral lifeline

ALOR SETAR: Several dive sites at marine parks in the country including the top diving destinations in the world — Pulau Tioman in Pahang and Pulau Redang in Te­­rengganu – have been temporarily closed due to coral bleaching.

Divers and snorkellers are barred from the dive sites until the end of October to protect the corals which have turned white due to global warming

For more detials kindly visit to www.thestar.com.my

COURTESY OF :www.thestar.com.my

BUBU RESORT

For more pictures follow us on