The water temperature at the tip of Florida has reached unprecedented levels, surpassing 100 degrees Fahrenheit two days in a row. According to meteorologists, this could potentially be the hottest seawater ever recorded, although there are some concerns regarding the accuracy of the measurement. Just 26 miles away, scientists have observed devastating effects on coral reefs due to prolonged exposure to hot water. This includes coral bleaching and even death, impacting one of the Florida Keys’ most resilient reefs. Climate change has been setting temperature records worldwide, including sea water temperature records. However, meteorologists note that these records are unofficial, and certain conditions in this specific reading may disqualify it as a top mark. Nonetheless, the initial reading on a buoy at Manatee Bay recorded a temperature of 101.1 degrees Fahrenheit, suggesting a potential record.
While there is no official record for water temperature, a 2020 study listed a 99.7 degrees Fahrenheit mark in Kuwait Bay as the highest recorded sea surface temperature. The nearby buoys in Florida have measured temperatures in the 98 to 99 degree range, indicating the plausibility of a new record. Although there may be factors such as shallow waters and nearby land influence that could challenge the record status. Despite this, meteorologists are intrigued by the consecutive days of 100 degree measurements, reinforcing the validity of the readings. Water temperatures in the area have been consistently in the upper 90s for over two weeks.
Although Manatee Bay does not have many coral reefs, diver scientists at Cheeca Rocks in the Florida Keys have observed bleaching and death in some of the area’s most resilient corals. The lead of the coral program at NOAA Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory described the entire reef as bleached, with every coral colony exhibiting signs of paling or bleaching. The severity of the situation has increased as NOAA raised the level of coral alert earlier this month. Coral bleaching has become more common in recent years, weakening corals and potentially leading to death. In the past, bleaching was rarely observed globally, but now it has become a routine occurrence. The early occurrence of bleaching this year has raised concerns among scientists.
These events are part of a larger trend, as sea surface temperatures have broken monthly heat records in April, May, and June worldwide. Additionally, the North Atlantic is experiencing unusually high temperatures, surpassing norms by 5 to 6 degrees Celsius in certain areas near Newfoundland. The impact of climate change on our oceans is evident, highlighting the urgent need for action.
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