Monday, August 11, 2008

Experiments to Save the World (II)

Red flare upon the rocks
Conducted by: Boss2
Angie Seow, Research Assistant, NUS Marine Bio Lab

The life cycle of the coral is quite similar to the human’s. A quick explanation of the spawning procedures: mature adult coral will produce babies (larvae) which like all delinquent children move away upon spawning. The larvae will swim and search for a future home (any stable substrate). Upon picking its preferred substrate the larvae will stick to it and grow into adults which will eventually bear more children.

(This is coral spawning!)

Coral larvae are not very picky creatures. All stable substrates are considered real estate. Or so it seems. Studies have shown that estate locations are somewhat marked. It does appear that coral larvae prefer substrates covered by coralline algae. Coralline algae are red algae that grow on rocks. They are quite like simple plants, photosynthesizing to make food and they appear to attract coral larvae. An illustration for example: Soviet manufactured 1985 Yugo GV (regular substratum) would shrink up and crumple into a big hulk of metal in the light of a bright, flashy, red, screaming Ferrari (coralline algae). The cause of the attraction is yet unknown.

Never to leave a stone unturned (or coral rubble), Angie Seow aka Boss2 is turning stones to further understand the true potential of coralline algae and its effects on young budded babies (coral larvae). An experiment was set-up to test whether substrate with coralline algae can attract more larvae than substrate without.

We are proud that out of 250 species of coral in Singapore only 1 has gone extinct but we have already lost 60% of our coral reefs.[1]

!!! 60%!!!

And another 15% are going to die soon.[1]

!!! 15%!!!

At the rate of pollution in Singapore waters we’ll reach the 75% mark in no time.

!!! 75%!!!

But all hope is not lost! With a consolidated from all Singaporeans in the private, public and government sector we can save our reefs! And coralline algae might do just the magic when it is proven that coralline algae do attract coral larvae. Imagine a coral nursery with coralline algae, the coral larvae will flock like a group of delinquent teenagers to a metal concert (no offense to delinquents or metal concerts). We might be able to bring back that 75%. The coralline algae just might be the flare, a bright shining flare in the dark, hazy murk of the sea, the flare upon the rocks to welcome the babies home. That they might grow and flourish! Majulah Singapura!


(Spawning picture by Ms Angie Seow, ferrari from Thoughts of a crazy RedHead)

Jacque and Theophilus finished work at 1:21 PM

______________________________

the marine junkies
Jacque and Theophilus
18071990 / 28081990
NUS High School
NUS Marine Biology Labs

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Nudibranchs drawn by Prof. Chou
(hand drawn! wow!)
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