Coral Reefs

Coral Reefs are elementary sedimentary rocks located above the sea and
oceanic bed of continental shelves and mid-oceanic ridges. These organic
sedimentary rocks are formed on the platform of shelves and ridges through a
combined process that includes sedimentation, compaction, cementation and
solidification of the skeleton of coral polyps.

Since the evolution and development of Coral Reefs are connected with the
marine ecology of Coral Polyps, the marine ecology of coral polyps describes
the conditions associated with the Coral Reefs.

• Coral Reefs, or massive undersea structures, comprise the exoskeleton

of aquatic invertebrates called corals, hence the name Coral Reefs.
• The corals that lead to the formation of reefs are called “hermatypic”
(hard) corals. The hard corals extract calcium carbonate from the
seawater to build a robust exoskeleton to shield their fragile, sack-like
bodies.
• “Soft corals” are another distinct species that do not support the creation
of reefs in any manner. Instead, these flexible corals, which include
fishes like sea fans and sea whips, frequently imitate plants and trees.

Types of Coral Reefs

Charles Darwin gave the classification of Coral Reefs in the year 1831. This
classification is based on its nature, composition, and mode of occurrence.
The types of Coral Reefs are:

Fringing Reef

The fringing reefs are mainly found near the coast of a volcanic island.

• This bordering reef may reach 200 meters into the sea from the coast.
• The active proliferating zone of fringing reefs is the reef front or the reef
edge, which faces the ocean.
• There is a shallow water channel that is approximately 50-100 meters
wide that runs between the coast and the reef front.
• Calcium carbonate, coral sand, mud, living and dead coral clusters (also
called polyps), or the other organisms that make up most of this reef.
 • Examples of fringing reefs include the reef in South Florida, Mehetia
Islands, and the Sakau islands in the New Hebrides.

Barrier Reef

The barrier reef is situated at some stretch away from the coast.

• It spreads for up to 2000 kilometers and is 15 to 20 kilometers offshore.

• Lagoon, a deep body of water, divides the reef from the beach. It is safe
to navigate across the lagoon.
• The most suitable example of a barrier reef is the Great Barrier Reef in
Australia. It is also the largest barrier reef in the world.

Atoll

Atoll is often referred to as coral island or lagoon island.

• This reef encircles a lagoon in the shape of a horseshoe or ring.

• It is highly deep and is also very apt for navigation purposes.
• To allow for the free flow of water, the ring-shaped reef might be
breached in a few areas.
• The Pacific Ocean has more of these reefs than any other ocean.
• Examples of atolls include the Atoll of Fiji, Trent Atoll in the Western
Carolinas, Suvadiva in the Maldives (the largest atoll in the world), and
Funafuti Atoll of Ellice.
Coral Reef Formation
Theories that describe and explain the evolution and development of Coral
Reefs are broadly classified under three categories, briefly mentioned below.

1. Subsidence Theory (was propounded by Charles Darwin).

2. Glacial Control Theory (Daly gave it).
3. Standstill Theory (Murray proposed it).

However, two of these are more significant than the others. These theories
are:

• Darwin‘s Subsidence Theory: It states that the reefs begin as

bordering reefs or fringing on an island’s steep shore. Then, due to the
submission of the reef flat inside the lagoon, these fringing reefs
develop into barrier reefs. The barrier reef eventually extends into atolls
with a central lagoon as the island gradually sinks and further
disappears.
• The Glacial Control Theory by Daly: The development of ice caps
during the last glacial era decreased the ocean's water level to 60-70
meters. Extremely low temperatures were in effect at that time.
Subsequently, the ice melted, and the temperatures increased, which is
 conducive to the growth of reefs. As a result, Atoll and barrier reefs are
created.

Suitable environmental conditions required for Coral Reefs formation are:

• Hard Surface: Presence of hard surface of sub-marine platform of the

continental shelf or mid-oceanic ridges. This hard surface is a
precondition for compaction, cementation, and solidification of
unconsolidated skeletons of Coral Polyps.
• Depth: The depth of the submarine platform should not be more than
80m from sea level as algae require a sufficient amount of sunlight for
photosynthesis.
• Warm Oceanic water: Coral Polyps are connected with warm oceanic
water with a narrow range of temperatures. The temperature should be
around 20 degrees. Thus, Coral Reefs are most extensive on the east
coast of the continent but not in the case of India, as the East coast of
India has a high amount of sediments in the water, and deposits prevent
the growth of Coral Reefs.
• Sediment-free water: Water should be relatively sediment free. The
high amount of sediments in water is responsible for choking respiration
of Coral Polyps and their early death. Because of this reason, Coral
Reefs dominate the west coast of India.
• Nutrient Supply: The supply of nutrients ensures the healthy
development of Polyps. So, the growth rate of Polyps is faster on the
seaward side as oceanic waves support the supply of nutrients.
• Mild salinity: Salinity ensures the healthy development of skeletons of
Polyps. Coral Polyps extract calcium from seawater for their skeleton to
protect their bodies. So, mild saltiness is also required for the growth of
coral polyps.

Coral Reef Sites in India

Corals can be found in different regions in the oceans around the world. The
clean, shallow waters in the tropical and subtropical regions or where one can
find the richest Coral Reefs. The great barrier reef in Australia, the largest of
these coral reef systems, stretches for more than 2400 km (1500 miles).

Below are the places where one can find major Coral Reefs in India.
Lakshadweep Islands

• The island has developed a coral reef that encircles the coastline, which
is extremely close to the coastline.
• There are about 78 different species of coral, as well as fishes, crabs,
bivalves, brittle stars, sea stars, sea urchins, sea cucumbers, and sea
green turtles.

Andaman and Nicobar Islands

• One of the world‘s richest and most magnificent marine creatures calls it
home.
• There are about 560 different coral species in this area. Shells, whales,
dugongs, saltwater crocodiles, sea snakes, dolphins, sea turtles, and
other marine species can also be seen here.
• Additionally, there are soft corals, wire corals, boulder corals,
boomerang corals, and red and brown algae. This is also the largest of
all the Coral Reefs in India.

Gulf of Kutch

• In the Gulf of Kutch, a marine sanctuary has been established for

Pirotan islands and 42 other nearby islands. It is 58 km in width and 170
km broad.
• The sanctuary covers a total area of 162.89 square kilometers. The
Coral Reefs in Azad, Pirotana, Narara, and Positara are among the best
reefs.

Netrani Islands in Karnataka

• The Netrani Islands are located in the Arabian Sea, 18 kilometers from
Murudeshwar.
• It boasts some of the best diving experiences on the west coast due to
the rich corals. It is home to approximately 69 species of corals.

Gulf of Mannar and Palk Bay

• On the Southeast coast in the state of Tamil Nadu are present the Gulf
of Mannar and Palk Bay.
• The 140 km long region connecting Rameshwaram and Tuticorin is
where the reef deposits in the Gulf of Mannar are located.
 • The varieties of corals found here are of the shore, platform, patch, and
fringing types, which includes a total of 117 different types of coral
species.
• Palk Bay, separated from the Gulf of Mannar by the Mandapam
Peninsula, is located on India’s southeast coast.

Importance of Coral Reefs

Coral Reefs are supremely beneficial for our marine ecosystems. Some of its
benefits are listed below:

• Reefs are the most diversified and valuable ecosystems on the earth.
• Coral Reefs' ecosystem services include the protection of shorelines,
fisheries, and eco-tourism.
• Reefs are crucial for safeguarding the coastline from storm surges and
flooding.
• Coral Reefs are the building blocks for intricate food webs and our
home to various fish.
• This web's foundation comprises a variety of invertebrates, soft corals,
sponges, and algae.
• Corals also act as water purifiers. Most corals and sponges are filter
feeders, i.e., they eat suspended particles in the water.
• Corals contribute to the ocean by catalyzing nutrient cycling, carbon and
nitrogen fixation, and various other processes.

Laws for the Protection of Coral Reefs

The marine reserves of India are safeguarded under the Coastal Regulation
Zone (CRZ) of 1991. Building hotels or resorts on Coral Reefs is strictly
prohibited under section 7(2) of the CRZ. In addition, some states forbid coral
reef mining, other than the exception of scientific research.

The standards and legislation safeguarding coral reefs are made and
appropriately enforced by the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate
Change. If the coral reef region is included in a protected area, the State
Wildlife department is responsible for maintaining the corals.

Coral Bleaching
Coral Bleaching is when the white calcium carbonate exoskeleton is visible
through the transparent tissue. The loss of symbiotic algae called
zooxanthellae, which distributes 90% of the nutrients synthesized by it to the
coral, is a result of extreme environmental stress. This leads to coral
bleaching.

Corals will eject the algae (zooxanthellae) dwelling in their tissues if the water
is too warm, turning the coral white.

Factors Responsible for Coral Bleaching

Numerous dangers to coral reefs are caused directly or indirectly by human
activity. By 2050, all coral reefs are expected to be threatened, with 75% of
those hazards being of high risk. Some of these dangers include:

• Global Warming: Rising temperature of oceanic water due to global

warming.
• Ocean Acidification: Adverse changes in pH value of oceanic water due
to acid rain and atmospheric absorption of CO2 by oceans.
• Marine Pollution: rising marine pollution and oil spills.
• Use of explosives for the mining.
• Ozone depletion results in an increase in solar radiation.
• Algal bloom.
• Increase in sedimentation in seas and oceans from rivers due to
deforestation.
• Diseases outbreaks in Coral Reefs also affect the chances of their
survival.

Threats on Coral Reefs

Ecosystems of coral reefs are in grave danger. Natural dangers include
illnesses, predators, and storms. Human activity is also a concern, as seen by
pollution, sedimentation, destructive fishing methods, and climate change,
which is increasing ocean temperatures and generating ocean acidification.

• Corals cannot generate the calcium carbonate exoskeletons that they

need for their protection due to the sea's growing acidity brought upon
by the oceans’ absorption of massive amounts of carbon dioxide
emitted into the atmosphere due to the burning of fossil fuels.
• Coral Reefs are also suffering from water contamination. The growth of
corals is hampered by agricultural fertilizers and pesticides, petroleum
products, sewage effluent, and eroded soil.
 • Both on land and in marine ecosystems, invasive alien species pose a
threat. Ballast water is one of the primary sources via which invasive
alien species are disseminated in aquatic ecosystems.

If conditions improve before corals perish, they can recover from bleaching
events, though it may take years for the ecosystems to recover fully.
Additionally, researchers are experimenting with novel approaches to support
coral reef ecosystems, such as growing coral in a nursery before transplanting
it to harmed regions.