Coral

Reefs
 What are corals?
Corals are made up of two main parts:
• Coral Polyp – small soft invertebrates called polyps
• Large rocky structures formed from limestone(calcium carbonate)

The coral polyps secrete the calcium carbonate around themselves to form intricate
rocky structures.
Coral are kept alive by microscopic algae called zooxanthellae that live inside of them.

This is a symbiotic relationship since the algae carry out photosynthesis and produce
glucose and oxygen for the coral polyp while the coral polyps carry out respiration and
provides the algae with the carbon dioxide they need for photosynthesis.
What are corals?
 Conditions required for coral reef formation?
1. Corals need a temperature between 23°C and 25 °C.
2. Corals need shallow water. Shallow water allows light to get to the
zooxanthellae for photosynthesis
3. Corals need salty water. They are less likely do develop in areas of
fresh water.
4. Corals need flow water with moderate waves and currents to deliver
food and oxygen. Waves that are too strong stir up too much sand
and sediments with can smother the corals.
5. Presence of algae and fishes
 Coral Reefs
Corals and their calcium carbonate structures come
together to form coral reefs. There are three types of
coral reefs.
• Fringing reefs
• Barrier reefs
• Atoll reefs
 Types of coral reefs
• Fringing reefs grow near the coastline around islands and continents. They
are separated from the shore by narrow, shallow lagoons. Fringing reefs are
the most common type of reef.

• Barrier reefs also grow near the coastline but are separated by deeper, wider
lagoons. They are much larger than fringing reefs and can also be found in
deeper waters.

• Atolls are ring-shaped reefs that create protected lagoons and are usually
located in the middle of the sea in deeper waters. Atolls form when islands
surrounded by fringing reefs sink into the sea or the sea level rises around
them.
Types of coral reefs
Fringing Reefs
Fringing Reefs
Barrier Reefs
Barrier Reefs
Atoll Reefs
Atoll Reefs
 Importance of Coral reefs
Coral reefs protect coastlines from storms and
erosion, provide jobs for local communities, and
offer opportunities for recreation. They are also are
a source of food and new medicines. Over half a
billion people depend on reefs for food, income,
and protection. Fishing, diving, and snorkeling on
and near reefs add hundreds of millions of dollars
to local businesses
 How humans destroy coral reefs
1. Global warming which leads to increased global temperatures which
causes coral bleaching
2. Physical damage or destruction as a result of tourists, boat engines
and anchors breaking corals
3. Pollution from land such as sediments which smothers corals and
block sunlight or nutrients such as nitrates which cause floating alga to
bloom and block sunlight
4. Pollution such as trash, toxic chemical or pathogens
5. Overfishing which disrupts food webs
6. Destructive fishing habits such as trawling, or using dynamite to kills
fishes.