SEA ANEMONE BLEACHING -
ENVIRONMENT
News: Scientists flag mass sea
anemone bleaching off Agatti island
What's in the news?
●
For the first time, researchers investigating Sea
Anemones (Actiniaria) in the Lakshadweep group of islands have documented a
significant bleaching event affecting the anemones near Agatti Island.
Key takeaways:
●
This marks the initial observation of sea anemone
bleaching in the Lakshadweep islands.
Sea Anemone Bleaching:
●
Sea anemone bleaching occurs when these creatures lose their vibrant colors and
become white or pale due to the expulsion of symbiotic photosynthetic algae.
●
Environmental stressors such as increasing water
temperatures, pollution, or shifts in ocean chemistry can trigger this
phenomenon.
●
Bleaching deprives sea anemones of their primary
energy source, making them more vulnerable
to diseases and resulting in higher mortality rates.
Characteristics of Sea
Anemones:
●
Sea anemones are aquatic animals characterized by soft bodies and the ability to sting.
●
They belong to the Cnidaria phylum family and are commonly found in ocean waters,
particularly in coastal tropical
regions.
●
Sea anemones often
form close associations with corals and live rocks, and they establish symbiotic relationships with clownfish,
offering protection in exchange for food from the clownfish's meals.
Ecological Importance of
Sea Anemones:
●
Sea anemones play crucial biogeochemical roles in benthic ecosystems, which represent the
lowest ecological zone in a water body and typically involve sediments at the
seafloor.
Go back to basics:
Agati Island:
●
Agatti Island is situated approximately 459 km (248
nautical miles) away from Kochi, Kerala.
●
It is positioned to the west of Kavaratti Island.