Light pollution on the coast can cause corals to reproduce prematurely. Reported by the University of Plymouth.
The reproduction of coral polyps is dependent on lunar cycles, and moonlight on certain nights causes eggs to be released (ovulation). If something interferes with this natural mechanism, the reproductive cycle may become out of sync, increasing the chances of eggs remaining unfertilized.
Thomas Davis and friends Unified Data from a 2021 study on observations of ocean floor light pollution and coral growth. It has been found that artificial night light can create spawning triggers by disrupting the natural minimum light periods between dusk and dawn. Due to the light of the lanterns, spawning does not occur on the moonless nights, but one to three days closer to the full moon.
“If we want to reduce the damage that cities do to coral, we can delay the inclusion of nighttime lighting in coastal areas to provide a natural dark period between sunset and moonrise that induces spawning,” the authors write.
The study looked at coastal areas around the world, but coral reefs in the Red Sea and Persian Gulf are particularly affected by light pollution. These areas have experienced rapid development in shoreline infrastructure in recent years, and coral reefs close to shore are particularly at risk.
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