Another way to check the health of a coral reef: Study the microbes in the seawater

Another way to check the health of a coral reef: Study the microbes in the seawater

Prochlorococcus, a genus of bacteria that’s key to oxygen production in the ocean, tends to disappear when faced with marine pollution. It lives throughout the sunlit layer of tropical oceans and, while it doesn’t necessarily play a key role in coral biology, its abundance is a sign of a healthy coral reef ecosystem. A growing number of scientists are studying it and other microorganisms to keep tabs on reef health. Two marine scientists explain…