Scientists from the Oceanography Institute of the University of California California in San Diego have developed a new underwater microscope, allowing you to consider the hidden processes of the live coral life on coral reefs.
A device called Bump (PAM image of underthic microscopy) allows the photosynthesis measurement of the microphone -filling with coral fabrics with high accuracy and in natural conditions. The work has been published on magazine methods on ecology and evolution (MEE).
This is a great technology breakthrough in assessing the health of coral reefs, he said the head of the research or Be-TSVI. We can observe the status of the microssbars, on which the life of the coral depends directly.
The new microscope is equipped with a pulse modulation system of light, allowing you to measure photosynthesis based on the red light of chlorophyll in algae. The device can also build detailed 3D riffs and repair coral behavior, for example, reducing tentacles while trying to take a floating grain.
This device is compact, manual and enough light so that divers can deliver it to the coral reef without the help of the ship. Scientists tested the microscope on Hawaii coral reefs, the Red Sea and the Palmyra Coral Island.
According to the authors of the work, data with bumps can help identify the first signs of coral stress before starting the irreversible consequences from global warming, as well as developing measures to protect coral reefs. In addition, this technology can be used to study other marine life, for example, giant kelp, playing an important role in the global ecosystem and carbon cycle.