Relevance:
Recently, it is reported that a rapidly spreading disease, commonly known as yellow band disease, is killing corals over vast stretches of the sea floor of Thailand.
Yellow-band disease:
- It turns corals yellow colour before destroying them.
- It was first spotted decades ago and has caused widespread damage to reefs in the Caribbean.
- Causes – Environmental stressors, including increased water temperatures, pollution, and sedimentation, overfishing, increased competition for space from other organisms.
- These weaken the coral and make it more susceptible to infection by pathogens, such as bacteria and fungi.
- The disease’s impact cannot be reversed, unlike the effects of coral bleaching. Also there is no known cure.
“Biorock technology” is talked about in which one of the following situations? (2022)
- Restoration of damaged coral reefs
- Development of building materials using plant residue
- Identification of areas for exploration/extraction of shale gas
- Providing salt licks for wild animals in forests/protected areas
Reference: The Hindu
