The Great Barrier Reef Right Now:
- The changing climate and impacts on the reef
- Causing coral bleaching
- The ocean's rising acidity levals
- The oceans absorb 30% of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, and seawater is at a PH of 8, but now it is at 8.2. It doesn't sound like a lot but coral reefs are feeling the hard impact. The carbon dioxide makes it harder for corals to build a structure to protect themselves, therefore they die easier.
- Water from land-based run-offs
- The reef used to have freshwater filled with nutrients, but now more of that water has either stoped or has been filled with pesticides deadly for the ecosystem.
- Marine Debris and dumping into the water
- Marine debris from littering from nearby cities can greatly hurt the marine life.