Over the Great Barrier reef in Australia was held the first stage of an ambitious experiment to “whiten the clouds”. Scientists hope that in the future will be able to protect corals from the devastating effects of global warming. The essence of the experiment consisted in an attempt to cool the water around the reef, forcing the clouds above it reflect more sunlight. The researchers used mounted on the ship like a giant fan snow guns with which they launched into the air a lot of salt crystals.

The test results were “encouraging”, said Friday lead researcher of the project Daniel Harrison of the University of southern Cross. He also stressed that despite the success of the experiment will require at least four years of further studies to prove standing behind it theory.

The change in sea temperatures caused by global warming, have already caused enormous damage to the health of the Great Barrier reef is the world’s largest coral system. When healthy corals experience stress due to ocean temperature changes – they lose color because they have rid myself of the algae, the giver of color variety. This year was the third case of mass bleaching over the past five years, and it is a concern that most of the coral reefs, we may lose forever in the very near future.

According to Harrison to have a significant impact on the reef, a full-scale experiment to deploy 10 times wider. And one gun needs to replace several large turbines on the barge. If everything works as it should, a scientist says, the team can reduce the mortality of corals by about 70 percent. However, the effectiveness of the technology clarification of the clouds will have power, if the ocean will continue to heat up further. Thus, this is just a way to put the reef “on life support”, yet solved the real problem of climate change. If mankind does not reduce the amount of emissions, the new technology will only give a few extra decades before coral reefs will be completely lost.
Source — ScienceAlert