创纪录的海洋热浪导致西澳大利亚珊瑚严重白化

Core Points - The marine heatwave from 2024 to 2025 is expected to be the longest, widest, and most intense on record in Western Australia, leading to the largest coral bleaching event recorded in the state [1] - The heatwave will peak between December 2024 and January 2025, with a second peak occurring from March to April 2025, before water temperatures begin to decline in May [1] - Coral bleaching and mortality rates have reached over 90% in severely affected areas, impacting coral reef systems spanning 1500 kilometers [1] - This event coincides with a new round of bleaching in the Great Barrier Reef and is part of the fourth global coral bleaching event since 2023, driven by climate change [1] Summary by Sections Marine Heatwave - The marine heatwave is projected to be the most extensive and intense in Western Australia’s history, with significant implications for local ecosystems [1] - Monitoring by the Western Australia Coral Bleaching Working Group began in September 2024, highlighting the urgency of the situation [1] Coral Bleaching Impact - The initial report indicates that coral bleaching and death are widespread, with some areas experiencing over 90% bleaching and mortality [1] - The event is unprecedented, affecting even previously unaffected coral reefs [1] Climate Change Connection - The increase in extreme ocean temperatures is linked to global warming, with 2024 marking the highest recorded global ocean surface temperatures [2] - The summer sea surface temperatures in Australian waters for 2024-2025 are the highest since records began in 1900 [2] - Coral bleaching occurs when corals lose their symbiotic algae due to environmental stress, and while recovery is possible, severe and prolonged bleaching can lead to coral death [2]