Florida corals in hotter water than first thought. Scientists blame ‘weird phenomenon’

The Florida Keys are currently facing a devastating situation as entire reefs have become ghost towns due to an unseasonably early and severe marine heat wave. Thousands of corals have already been bleached and killed, and experts believe that this crisis will continue for the foreseeable future.

However, the situation may be even worse than initially thought, particularly for the reefs in the Middle and Lower Keys. Derek Manzello, coordinator of NOAA’s Coral Reef Watch program, explains that while widespread bleaching is occurring throughout the Caribbean due to higher temperatures, the reef tract in Florida is experiencing the most severe impacts.

This disparity could be attributed to Florida Bay, which lies on the western side of the Keys. This shallow body of water, which is largely devoid of coral, heats up faster than the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Consequently, the water in Florida Bay becomes significantly hotter and saltier. This denser water sinks to the bottom and is carried eastward by currents, enveloping the corals in exceptionally hot water.

While satellite measurements indicate that sea surface temperatures in the Florida Keys are already higher than usual by about five to seven degrees Fahrenheit, the temperatures at the sea floor could be even hotter, possibly by two to four degrees. This finding has been supported by temperature measurements taken by divers, who have experienced an unusual “inverse thermocline” where the deeper waters are hotter than the surface.

In recent measurements taken at Sombrero Reef, divers recorded a sea floor temperature of more than 92 degrees Fahrenheit, which is two degrees higher than the satellite measurements of the surface. These alarming observations highlight the severity of the situation.

The Florida Keys has been monitoring its reefs with temperature sensors for the past decade, and soon, scientists will have access to real-time data from temperature buoys installed as part of a NOAA project. This data will be crucial for tracking this bleaching event and future ones that are expected to become more frequent and intense due to climate change.

Unfortunately, the devastating effects of the heat wave are already evident. Coral nurseries and wild reefs have experienced 100% bleaching, with some fragments suffering total mortality. Ian Enochs, lead of the coral program at the Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (AOML) in Miami, witnessed the total devastation at Cheeca Rocks, one of the most popular and resilient reefs in the Keys. He described the scene as a “sea of white” with every single coral bleaching and eventually dying.

The current marine temperatures in Florida are not even at their peak yet, as they usually reach their highest point in mid to late August. This means that there may be another two months of coral-killing hot water. Enochs emphasizes the importance of investing in research and technology to restore the reefs, as well as taking global action to reduce carbon emissions and mitigate the effects of climate change.

Overall, the situation in Florida serves as a warning for the entire Caribbean. The heat wave and its devastating impact on corals indicate the urgent need to address climate change and protect the world’s reefs before it’s too late.

‘Devastation’ at Cheeca Rocks

At Cheeca Rocks, one of the heartier reefs in the Florida Keys, the devastation caused by the heat wave is evident. Every single coral has bleached and died, leaving behind a haunting scene of bone-white remains. This is particularly heartbreaking considering the reef’s previous resilience. Saving these reefs will require local investments in research and technology, as well as a global commitment to reducing carbon emissions and slowing down global warming. The severity of the situation should serve as a wake-up call for action.

2023 Miami Herald.
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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