Scientists test “cloud shine” technique to protect Australia’s Great Barrier Reef; Will this save UNESCO’s heritage?

As the coronavirus crisis continues on the continent, Australia’s Great Barrier Reef faces its own problems with the third massive bleaching event in the past five years. Scientists say an innovative “cloud shine” experiment may be helpful in protecting the reef from global warming.

Speaking about the initial-stage test experiment, the researchers said they used a boat-mounted fan, which looks like a snow cannon, to shoot salt crystals into the air that will eventually help cool the waters around the reef by making clouds Reflects more sunlight.

The theory may take a few more years.

Daniel Harrison of Southern Cross University and the project’s chief scientist told AFP on Friday: “The results of the trial were really, very encouraging. All of the research is theoretical … so this is an absolutely first-to-come-out world and really try to take sea water and turn it into these cloud condensation nuclei. ” However, Harrison said that despite the success of the experiment, it would require at least four more years of additional research to test the theory.

Last month, the experiment was carried out by the university and the Sydney Institute of Marine Sciences, just before a comprehensive scientific aerial study revealed that the Great Barrier Reef, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, had underwent the most extensive coral bleaching on record. The latest massive bleaching raised fears that much of the coral on the reef could be permanently damaged.

Bleaching stress can be reduced by 70%

Harrison said that to have a significant impact on the coral reef, a large-scale experiment would need to be 10 times larger, involving the use of several large barge-mounted turbines. “If it works as well as we hope, then perhaps we could reduce bleaching stress by about 70% … potentially almost all mortality,” he added.

According to Harrison, the effectiveness of the cloud shine technique would decrease significantly as the ocean warms up even more. This indicates that the process of the experiment will be similar to putting the reef on life support, while addressing the underlying challenge of climate change.

“If we continue with the usual business-type emissions scenarios, then at most this technology can buy an additional couple of decades before we see the complete loss of the reef,” the scientist warned.