Facts for Prelims (FFP)
Source: TH
Context: Australian researchers are exploring the concept of “marine cloud brightening” as a potential solution to mitigate coral bleaching on the Great Barrier Reef caused by extreme heat.
- This approach involves using water cannons to spray seawater into the sky, which results in the formation of brighter, whiter clouds.
- These clouds, known as low marine clouds, reflect sunlight away from the ocean’s surface, offering protection to the marine life beneath and potentially reducing coral bleaching.
- The idea of marine cloud brightening was initiated after the mass coral bleaching event in 2016, with initial lab development and pilot testing near the Great Barrier Reef.
- This method aims to delay coral bleaching during marine heatwaves, potentially buying more time for the reef’s recovery.
- To brighten clouds, researchers spray microscopic seawater droplets into the air, mimicking the creation of sea salt aerosols by natural processes like wind and waves.
- Sea salt provides shade and additional reflection of light. While humanity unintentionally brightens clouds through the release of aerosols, the research in Australia aims to harness this process for environmentally responsible and socially acceptable conservation efforts for the Great Barrier Reef.
