MERIS acquired this image on, working in Full Resolution mode to yield a spatial resolution of 300 m. The green, blue and tan-coloured swirls seen along the Gulf of Carpentaria (west) and between Australia and Papua New Guinea (top) are due to sediments transported in the water. This means Envisat could potentially map coral bleaching on a global scale. The precise reason for coral bleaching is unknown but the phenomenon is associated with increased water temperatures, low salinity and high sunlight levels.Īccording to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the entire Great Barrier Reef faces extinction if the water temperatures continue to rise and the sea becomes more acidic.Īustralian researchers have discovered that Envisat's Medium Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MERIS) sensor can detect coral bleaching down to 10 m deep. In recognition of its significance the reef, the world’s most protected marine area, was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981.Ĭoral reefs worldwide are increasingly under threat from coral bleaching, which occurs when the algae that makes up the coral die, causing it to turn white. It is also a breeding area for humpback whales. The reef is home to over 1500 tropical fish species, 400 types of coral, more than 200 species of bird, 4000 species of mollusc, 500 species of seaweed and six species of sea turtle. Browse 769,522 authentic queensland stock photos, high-res images, and pictures, or explore additional queensland map or brisbane stock images to find the right photo at the right size and resolution for your project. Extending more than 2000 km and covering an area of some 350 000 sq km, it is the largest living organism on Earth and the only living thing the naked eye can see from space.ĭespite its name, it is not comprised of a single reef but nearly 3000.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |