Oceanographer Dr. Daniel Harrison thinks there may be a way to save Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.
Harrison wants to develop cloud brightening: a type of cloud-seeding technology that would allow clouds over the reef to deflect the sun’s rays. Cloud brightening would reduce high sea temperatures, which would in turn reduce coral bleaching.
The Great Barrier Reef contains vivid coral of all different colors. Unfortunately, due to rising global temperatures and poor environmental conditions surrounding the reef, the coral is losing pigment.
This week, scientists from all over the globe met in Cairns, Australia to discuss ways to save the reef. Scientists are worried that there is not much time left before the reef loses all of its pigment.
Harrison explained that his cloud-seeding technique would involve pumping seawater through a filter, thereby producing micro-sized water droplets. A fan would then propel these sea-water droplets into the atmosphere. The salt particles from the sea-water droplets would then condense with other cloud particles, brightening already-existing clouds.
Harrison described:
“That one droplet creates an aerosol particle that then grows 15 million times in size into a cloud droplet.”
Harrison’s research has yet to be conducted and is still in the early stages of development.
The Australian Institute of Marine Science’s Reef Restoration and Adaptation Program supports Dr. Harrison’s project. David Mead, the director of the program, expressed:
“We are trying as broadly as possible to assess what some of the other options might be. [We’re taking] a no-stone-unturned approach.”
RESEARCH WORRIES WHETHER HIS SON WILL SEE THE GREAT BARRIER REEF
Dr. Harrison disclosed that his first child is due soon. While Harrison is thrilled about the upcoming birth of his son, he worries that his child won’t have the chance to see the Great Barrier Reef.
My first child is due on Tuesday … I really hope the reef will be around for him to enjoy when he gets older. [Losing the reef] isn’t something that’s going to happen in future generations, it’s right now in this generation if we don’t act now. It’s truly scary.”
Featured Image via/ barrierreef.org
