CU Boulder Researcher Discovers Hope for Ocean Corals Amid Climate Challenges

It’s not your typical lab work. CU Boulder’s Jessica Hankins and her team dive into the ocean, equipped with scuba gear and long drills, to collect 200-year-old coral samples. Once they’re back on land, they analyze these treasures using advanced technology in Colorado.

They’ve made a surprising discovery: some of the world’s coral reefs may handle climate change better than we thought. Coral reefs play a crucial role in the marine ecosystem, and they currently face serious risks. Ocean waters absorb a large amount of carbon dioxide from human activities, causing increased acidity. This acidity can hinder coral growth, affecting the rich diversity of life that depends on these reefs.

Coral bleaching is often highlighted in alarming headlines, contributing to global climate anxiety. But new research brings a different perspective.

In labs in Hawaii and Colorado, Hankins and her team used a method called Raman microspectroscopy. This technique analyzes how light interacts with molecules in coral. While ocean acidity has been rising for two centuries, corals from the Coral Sea managed to adjust their chemistry and continue building their calcium carbonate structures.

“Corals can partially regulate the fluid they use to form their skeletons, which is amazing,” Hankins shared in a recent interview. “Even with the increasing acidity of oceans.”

Hankins, who is completing her Ph.D. in geological sciences, published her findings in the journal “Science Advances.” Her insights offer a hint of hope but come with a caveat: more long-term research is needed to understand these changes fully.

“It’s crucial not to oversimplify this research,” she cautioned. “We can’t ignore the many factors like warming, nutrient overload, and storms that impact coral health and are not isolated.”

The study shines a light on one interesting aspect of how corals adapt to their changing environment. However, it doesn’t mean we should overlook the broader implications of climate change. Overall, the findings are a valuable step toward understanding how corals adapt amidst various stressors in our oceans.

Climate change is a pressing issue for corals and many other species around the world. According to a recent study by the UN, over 50% of marine species are at risk due to temperature increases and ocean acidification. This makes research like Hankins’ not just relevant but essential for future conservation efforts.

Hankins’ work provides a foundation for unraveling the complexities of coral responses, offering a glimpse into our oceans’ resilience. It shows why ongoing research is vital to safeguard these ecosystems for the future.

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