Do Coral Reefs Produce Oxygen?

Has a coral reef ever caught your eye? If so, you

have got to have been captivated by its
breathtaking beauty. They produce colorful
proteins, which multiply when exposed to
sunlight, which gives them their stunning hue.

However, do these reefs serve additional

purposes besides enhancing the marine
ecosystem’s beauty? You would be surprised to
find out that coral reefs also produce
oxygen which is crucial for humans. Read on to
find out more.

What are Coral Reefs?

Large underwater structures known as coral

reefs comprise the coral-like skeletons of
migratory marine invertebrates. Hard or
hermatypic corals, which obtain calcium
carbonate from saltwater to construct an
exoskeleton, are the types of coral that makeup
reefs.

“Soft” corals are different species of coral that

do not contribute to the formation of reefs.
These flexible corals, including species like sea
whips and fans, frequently resemble trees and
plants.

The coral reef gradually grows larger over time,

obtaining one little exoskeleton at each stage
until they are substantial aquatic ecosystem
components.
Typically, a coral reef looks out towards the
ocean. The fore reef, which is to its seaward,
descends into deeper waters and is floored
farther below by reef fragments.

Behind the expanding fore-reef edge, which

rises to around mean high-water level, is a low
platform made up of fragments of dead reef
structure or frequently colonized seagrasses.

Do Coral Reefs Produce Oxygen?

The earth’s atmosphere gets half of its oxygen

from coral reefs, although they make up only
0.0025% of the bottom of the sea. The
symbiotic link between an alga and corals
called zooxanthellae makes this notable
occurrence possible.

It is funny to think those reefs only cover a

small percentage of the ocean floor, but they
nonetheless generate a large amount of oxygen.
They are essential for both human survival and
the survival of aquatic life.

Coral reefs provide an accessible playground,

shield coastlines from erosion and storms, and
support local economies. They are also a source
of food and medications. Over 500 million
people rely on reefs for food, safety, and
income.

Fishing, snorkeling, and diving on and around

reefs generate millions of dollars for nearby
businesses. Estimates place the annual net
monetary worth of the world’s coral reefs in
hundreds of billions of dollars.
Indigenous people worldwide place a great deal
of cultural significance on these environments.
If you count the corals and the creatures they
sustain or just the corals, estimates range from
50 to 80 percent of all the oxygen on earth.

Whatever the case, there is no denying the

importance of corals in maintaining the oxygen
levels on our planet.

Corals occupy only a small portion of the

planet’s surface, but they create at least fifty
percent of the oxygen we require. We lose our
essential sources of oxygen more quickly as the
coral reefs are destroyed.

Types of Coral Reefs

We all know there is still much to learn about

the maritime environment. However, thus far,
we have identified four distinct varieties of coral
reefs. Let us find out more about them all.

Barrier Reefs

Barrier reefs run parallel to a shoreline

distinguished by a large lagoon or other body of
water. The word “barrier” is used here to
describe how these reefs, which reach the
water’s surface at their shallowest point, act as a
barrier separating the ocean and the coast.

The most famous barrier reef is the Great

Barrier Reef in Australia. It is also the world’s
largest barrier reef.

Atolls
Coral rings, known as atolls, generally produce
protected lagoons in the middle of the ocean.
Atolls typically develop when islands with
fringing reefs collapse into the water or when
the surrounding sea level increases.

Most atolls in the South Pacific are found in the

middle of the ocean. Atoll structures can be
found in significant numbers in the Indian
Ocean. Atolls, on the other hand, are not
common in the Caribbean.

Patch Reefs

Patch reefs are clusters of independent coral

reefs connected by sand rings but are far apart.
These reefs often occur in groups of 10 to 20
feet of water and are located in shallow lagoons.

The Caribbean Islands, Bermuda, the Pacific

Islands, and the Bahamas are all frequent
locations for patch reefs.

Fringing Reefs

Reefs that are “fringing” the shore have no

“true” lagoon separating them from the
neighboring land. Within the beach and the
inshore margin of coral growth are frequently
patches of the shallow subtidal and intertidal
sand bottom.

Of the three primary forms of coral reefs, the

fringing reef is the most prevalent, and there are
several examples of it in each of the significant
areas where coral reefs have developed.

Fringing reefs are typically susceptible to

anthropogenic impacts because they lack an
intervening lagoon.

How Do Coral Reefs Produce Oxygen?

Corals are not in charge of creating oxygen.

However, they supply a habitat for
zooxanthellae algae, which creates oxygen and
distributes it into the nearby atmosphere.

As mentioned, zooxanthellae, an alga, and coral

reefs work symbiotically to produce oxygen.
However, do you know what a symbiotic
relationship entails?

A symbiotic relationship is a close bond

between two different living species. Both
creatures interact in this kind of relationship,
and at least one gains something from the
interaction.

Yes, according to specific measurements, coral

reefs are estimated to produce a more significant
amount of oxygen than trees. Coral reefs are
currently thought to create between 50 and 80
percent of the world’s oxygen, which means
they do more efficiently than any tropical
rainforest.

This is not to argue that protecting the

rainforests is insignificant for maintaining the
equilibrium and oxygenation of our atmosphere.
However, it is crucial to recognize the
significance of the reefs.

Dead zones develop in the water without

enough oxygen, where nearly nothing can
survive. To completely comprehend them, more
research is required. They can happen for a wide
range of reasons, like the widespread death of
algae.

For the betterment of the earth, humans must,

however, reduce their effect on the reefs.

Factors Affecting Oxygen Production in Coral

Reefs

Rising sea temperatures, pollution, and other

issues threaten corals and the whole reef
ecosystem. The ability of corals to compete
against quickly expanding meaty algae will
ultimately determine their ability to withstand
the strain these variables produce.

Below are the factors affecting oxygen

production in coral reefs:

 Climate change
 Pollution
 Recreational misuse
 Ocean acidification
 Marine pollution
 Wrong fishing practices
Are The Coral Reefs Dying?

The most diversified ecosystems in the oceans

and seas are coral reefs. However, this precious
resource is slowly depleted due to several
damaging human actions.

By 2050, all coral reefs are expected to be on

the verge of extinction, according to scientists’
predictions, if things continue as they are. How
does it affect us? The destruction of coral
reefs can result in the atmosphere losing half of
its oxygen content, which could endanger
human life.

Below are some of the reasons why coral reefs

are dying.

Warming Ocean Waters

The oceans absorb ninety-three percent of the

warmth and energy produced by global
warming. The oceans’ temperatures rise as a
result of this heat absorption. Additionally, coral
reefs have trouble thriving when the temperature
rises.

Sadly, certain regions of the world now

experience temperatures above 97 degrees due
to global warming and rising ocean
temperatures.

Ocean Pollution

Another threat to coral reefs is ocean pollution

brought on by human activities and
development. According to Collier,
microplastics are among the principal
contaminants, and when consumed by corals,
they lead to diseases in coral reefs.

Additionally, physical plastic and trash in

the ocean and hazardous chemicals contribute to
ocean pollution. Corals are choked by these
pollutants, which also prevent them from
reproducing and alter the structure of the food.

Ocean Acidification

Ocean acidification, or the lowering of the

ocean’s pH due to a rise in carbon dioxide in the
atmosphere, is a significant element that
damages coral reefs.

The list of chemicals released into the

atmosphere due to the combustion of fossil
fuels, CO2, and other substances is between 20
and 30 different. Everything trapped in the
environment rains into the water through
storms, further altering the pH equilibrium.

According to studies, variations in ocean pH can

harm coral reefs, particularly the skeletons of
those reefs. According to research, ocean
acidification alone could cause a 20% decline in
the bone density of Porites corals.

Coral Bleaching

Coral separates from themselves the oxygen-

producing zooxanthellae when the ocean
temperatures get heated. All of the corals that
have been bleached turn white as a result of the
corals having lost their natural color and food
sources.

Corals can withstand bleaching, but they cannot

withstand being stressed repeatedly.

Conclusion

This article has taught us the importance of

coral reefs in maintaining the proper oxygen
level in the atmosphere. Both our survival and
the survival of aquatic organisms depend on
these reefs.

Numerous factors, including pollution and

global warming, directly or indirectly contribute
to the decline of coral reefs, which may
ultimately result in the extinction of humans as
well. By lowering the carbon emissions causing
global warming, we can do our part to conserve
the coral reefs.