Volcanic islands in Japan can help preserve coral reefs

Scientists say the key to survival of the world's endangered coral reefs may be in the waters surrounding Shikine, a small volcanic island off the coast of Japan, in a way Tokyo capital 160km south.

The seabed at Shikine is likened to a "living laboratory". A leading French scientific expedition is conducting a Shikine expedition on the Tara ship to find clues to help protect corals from the destructive effects of climate change.

While coral reefs cover less than 0.2% of the world's ocean surface, coral reefs are home to about 30% of marine animals and plants, a food source and protect these species from predators. Sylvain Agostini, Tsukuba University professor and an explorer coordinator, said: "To lose coral reefs will be very terrible."

Scientists conducted the Shikine expedition on the ship Tara.(Source: AFP).

The unique conditions in Shikine - created by undersea volcanoes by emitting carbon dioxide (CO ₂ ) and reducing the alkalinity of water - are identical to what scientists say work. dynamics of uncontrolled carbon emissions on oceans by 2100.

The rise of CO ₂ due to the greenhouse effect or volcanic activity on the seabed will increase the temperature and change the chemical composition of seawater, in a process called ocean acidification . According to researchers, seawater in many places around Shikine Island shows how marine life lives - including coral reefs - thanks to low alkalinity in the water.

Coral reefs in Japan, in the world's farthest region to the north, can provide important data to enhance understanding of ocean life, in the context of the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. before the risk of bleaching due to rising sea temperature.

Scientists have come to Shikine to learn about an aquatic ecosystem, including corals, floating organisms, marine algae and fish, which can exist in seemingly unfavorable environments. The first comparisons with another bay in Shikine, where conditions are completely different, show that corals live better in alkaline water environments.

Launched in 1989, the 36m long Tara ship is famous for many previous scientific expeditions, including a 500-day expedition in the Arctic. The two-year expedition is expected to take students to Australia and New Zealand before traveling to Indonesia and the Philippines.