Whipsnade Zoo freezes coral reef

As you know, as a result of a warming climate and rising water temperatures, coral reefs around the world, as well as other sea creatures, are under threat. Corals from all seas, are being placed in freezers at a UK Zoo. This is to save them from extinction and preserve them for future generations.

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According to the latest research, virtually all coral reefs in the world will be dead by 2040. They will be wiped out by rising ocean temperatures and acidification caused by increased CO² concentrations in the atmosphere. As a result, members of the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) have decided to create the world’s first coral reef bank. Thousands of samples of each species are frozen using liquid nitrogen at -200°C.

Whipsnade Zoo in Bedfordshire has been chosen as the home of the Global Coral Bank. Scientists are working hard to ensure that the frozen samples include every single coral from the nearly 2,000 species found on Earth. The creation of the cryobank was made possible by scientific breakthroughs in regenerating corals and bringing them back to life from frozen samples.

The project is the result of growing concern about the future of the world’s coral reefs. For many scientists, the results of the observations made on the Great Barrier Reef leave no illusions. The effect of the changes taking place in our environment is leading to the systematic destruction of coral.

Fortunately, the coral hibernation project, is only a “plan B” and for the time being, there are still attempts to save the reefs by revitalizing and regenerating them. However, if the degradation of the marine environment is not halted and stopped, in the near future the colourful reefs will be just a memory on the shelves of a giant refrigerator.

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk
Photo: europhication&hypoxia/flickr