Massive coral reef discovered in the Amazon River

[WhiteTara]

Source: cnn

A team of scientists from Brazil and the United States discovered the reef in the muddy waters at the mouth of the Amazon, according to a report published in the journal Science on Friday.

The reef system spans 3,600-square miles along the ocean floor, stretching from French Guiana to Brazil's Maranhao state along the edge of South America's continental shelf.

The finding is surprising because large rivers normally create gaps in reef distribution due to unfavorable conditions such as salinity, pH and light penetration. However, this coral reef system seems to be healthy, according to the report.

The carbonate structure, which functions as a waterway passage for fish and other marine life, is home to a big colony of sponges and other creatures that thrive in low-light waters. The study recorded 73 reef fish species, many of them carnivorous.

Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2016/04/23/world/amazon-river-coral-reef-irpt/

[hollysmom]

1. that is good news, thanks.

[Sunlei]

2. First thing they do is rip up large chunks of coral and "brought up" "amazing & colorful animals"

"The search proved fruitful. "We brought up the most amazing and colorful animals I had ever seen on an expedition," Yager said."

[WhiteTara]

4. Sigh.

[annabanana]

3. I hope they take steps to try and protect it.

Although I'm not sure they can stop the eventual bleaching due to pollutants...

[840high]

5. Protect it.

[vinny9698]

6. They should have kept it a secret just like the oldest tree in America

At 4,841 years old, this ancient bristlecone pine is the oldest known non-clonal organism on Earth. Located in the White Mountains of California, in Inyo National Forest, Methuselah's exact location is kept a close secret in order to protect it from the public. (An older specimen named Prometheus, which was about 4,900 years old, was cut down by a researcher in 1964 with the U.S. Forest Service's permission.)

http://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/wilderness-resources/photos/the-worlds-10-oldest-living-trees/methuselah