Sea Water Temperature Rise in Florida, USA
"Historic Heatwave Triggers Coral Death"
Sea surface temperatures in southern Florida, USA, have exceeded 38 degrees Celsius, potentially setting a record for the highest temperature ever recorded worldwide.
According to the National Data Buoy Center (NDBC) under the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) on the 25th (local time), a buoy located about 64 km south of Miami, Florida, at a depth of 1.5 meters in Manatee Bay recorded a water temperature of 38.4 degrees Celsius (101.1 degrees Fahrenheit) at 6 p.m. the previous day (Eastern Time).
In response, meteorologist Jeff Masters posted on his social media, stating, "An astonishing sea surface temperature has been recorded," and explained, "This is generally the temperature of water in a hot bathtub."
The US daily newspaper The Washington Post (WP) reported on the temperature record in Manatee Bay, saying, "This could be an unprecedented global record."
However, there is no official record for the highest sea surface temperature. Masters noted that a study published in 2020 recorded 37.6 degrees Celsius (99.7 degrees Fahrenheit) in the middle of the Persian Gulf, which could be the highest temperature on record.
Jeff Berardelli, a meteorologist with Florida regional broadcaster WFLA, explained, "The buoy in Florida Bay is in very shallow, dark water, which absorbs more heat," adding, "It is difficult to compare this with most temperature records measured in clear water with more water movement, such as tidal currents."
Nevertheless, environmental groups are concerned about the recent unusual rise in sea temperatures off southern Florida.
The nonprofit Coral Restoration Foundation stated in a press release on the 21st, "Historic heatwaves are triggering coral die-offs in Florida," and added, "As temperatures soar, the loss of coral colonies within Florida's Key National Marine Sanctuary is becoming a reality."
The organization reported that an exploration of the Sombrero area off southern Miami, where they have been conducting coral reef restoration activities, confirmed 100% coral mortality in the region.
They emphasized, "This situation highlights the urgency of addressing climate change," and stressed, "Mitigating climate change and its destructive impacts is essential to protect vital ecosystems such as coral reefs."
Meanwhile, concerns have been raised that the El Ni?o phenomenon could further increase sea temperatures, potentially causing coral bleaching.
El Ni?o refers to a condition where sea surface temperatures near the equatorial eastern Pacific remain at least 0.5 degrees Celsius above average for more than five months. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) reported in March that the La Ni?a phenomenon, which lasted over three years, has ended after three years, and predicted a high likelihood of El Ni?o occurring in the second half of this year.
Coral bleaching occurs when corals are stressed by higher-than-average sea temperatures; bleached corals grow more slowly and become more vulnerable to disease. Prolonged bleaching eventually leads to coral death.
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