Corals Spin Tiny Vortices to Get Oxygen, but Not if It’s Too Hot
New research is helping biologists understand how an overlooked aspect of coral physiology may affect their fate under climate change.
New research is helping biologists understand how an overlooked aspect of coral physiology may affect their fate under climate change.
The short version
- The post Corals Spin Tiny Vortices to Get Oxygen, but Not if It’s Too Hot first appeared on Quanta Magazine.
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What happened
Fluorescent, oxygen-reactive nanoparticles are caught in swirls of water created by a coral’s cilia. At first glance, corals present as little more than colorful rocks — piles of lobes, stalagmites, and branches poking out from the seafloor.
Why it matters
Corals are complex creatures that form enduring colonies, and just like other animals they need oxygen to live.
Summary by Nerd News Network. Read the full article at Quanta Magazine via the links above and below.