rainforests of the oceans, because of the rich diversity of life they support. Scientists have not yet

finished counting the thousands of different species of plants and animals that use or live in the coral

reef. There are three types of coral reefs: fringing reefs, barrier reefs, and atolls. Fringing reefs

are located close to shore, separated from land by only shallow water. Barrier reefs lie farther

offshore, separated from land by lagoons more than ten meters deep. Atolls, on the other hand, are

formed far offshore and they make a ring-shaped reef that close a circular lagoon. Coral reefs are the

largest biological structures on the planet, with the largest being the Great Barrier Reef covering over

2000 kilometers along the east coast of Australia (Focus, 1995). The reef is said to be 500,000 to

2,500,000 years old and is said to be visible from the moon.(Scientif!

ic, 1987). There is only one problem with this beautiful structure and that is the carelessness of man.

Silt from deforested lands and pollution from crowded coastlines choke them, and overuse by coal miners,

fisheries, and even tourists deplete and destroy coral r

as a factor. The pollution is caused by fisheries, oil spills, deforestation, tourists, and even reckless

Corals are animals, not plants, sunlight is the key to their survival. They need it to power the

who wanted to see the enormous reef. Every year the numbers of visitors increase by 10%. It has brought

research. If used properly, the reefs of the entire world can better serve humans with medicine rather

them to expel their algae, a phenomenon known as bleaching(Futurists, 1993). With the algae gone, the

changes in the environment as cloudy waters or extreme temperatures. The stress on the corals can cause

turns effects the entire ecosystem of the ocean. Pollution by humans have directly or indirectly caused

porous limestone skeletons of coral is now being tested as bone grafts in humans(Focus, 1995). More

promising testing is being done on other reef organisms to generate chemicals for cancer and AIDS

normal, even for a few hours, will result in greater that 90% coral mortality.

just started in the islands of Hawaii. The temperature of the water in Hawaii has said to have rose over

There are four environmental factors that effect their growth: temperature, salinity, water

Some common words found in the essay are:
Australia Focus, Pacific Islanders, , Galapagos IslandsFuturists, Marine Scientists, Reef Star-Bulletin, Australia Caribbean, Marine Science, coral reefs, Bay Philippines, Barrier Reef, reef survive, 1995 coral, global warming, star-bulletin 1995, destroy coral reefs, fringing reefs, barrier reef, barrier reefs, coral mortality, coral reef, destruction coral reefs, question save destroy, global warming ozone, located close shore,
Approximate Word count = 1301
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)