Destruction of Corals Reefs in Hikkaduwa

70.9% of the earth is the sea. The sea is a special natural resource for the people of the world as well as for Sri Lanka. The ocean also offers wonderful ecological beauty. This beauty is influenced by several factors, including the coastline and the coral reefs.
Of these, coral reefs have a special place. They are a great source of income for our country and are of special interest to tourists.
The majority of tourists who visit a country like Sri Lanka are very fond of the beauty of these coral reefs.
The coral reefs are now in danger of extinction. This was revealed by an observation made by the Marine Environment Protection Authority. The seabed was observed near Pigeon Island in Trincomalee on the occasion of the recent World Oceans Day. Journalists also attended the event.
 
What is a coral reef?

A coral reef is a reef that runs parallel to the shore. This coral reef, which is home to millions of people, brings a unique beauty to the ocean. It is also a barrier between the coast and the sea due to its dense structure. Therefore, the presence of these corals protects the coast from erosion. Although this is a large reef, it is made up of small coral reefs.
A coral reef is made up of a tiny creature called a polychrome. There are many types of coral populations. A reef is made up of several coral reefs. Over time, these coral reef algae grow and become home to much other marine life.
It can be seen 30 degrees north and 30 degrees south from the coral equator at the bottom of the ocean.

There should be an optimum temperature required for the formation of coral reefs. Its average temperature is around 28 to 35 degrees Celsius. If the temperature drops below 28 degrees Celsius, the polyps will find it difficult to survive. Even more than 35 degrees, Celsius is difficult. At temperatures below 28 degrees Fahrenheit [28 C], it is difficult for corals to survive in those regions.
Also, the salinity of the water is very important. On average, a liter of water should contain about 35 grams of salt.
The salinity of the coral reefs should remain the same. Such corals need sunlight and grow in shallow water depths of not less than 60 feet [60 m].

Coral reefs are formed in areas where there is a dense substrate. Thus, coral reefs are formed almost everywhere with optimal temperature and optimum ecosystem.
The coral reefs that can be seen on the ocean floor today are millions of years old. Coral reefs take so long to form that they take only a few seconds to destroy.

The coral reef system is one of the most spectacular coastal ecosystems in the world between 30 latitudes and 30 longitudes from the equator. It is also known as the topographic system created by biological processes.
Coral is the creation of a very small creature. This little creature is called a polyp. Invertebrates are small, soft, transparent organisms that absorb calcium carbonate from seawater and form a shell outside their body.
These are called skeletal corals, which make up thousands of animals. These polyps live like a cup in a limestone frame.
The coral reef begins with a single polyp. When floating in the ocean, the creature settles on a hard surface. Then start making templates. Also, the pups attach their parents to the polyp and make templates. Even if the polyp organism dies, the templates remain. Other organisms grow on that template. For thousands of years, the dense structure of a colony of polyps has been called a coral reef.

The growth force of the coral is dependent on the microscopic plant Susantale, which feeds on the flora and fauna of the polyps. A microscopic plant called Susantale photosynthesizes using Polyp's extracellular fluid and sunlight. Oxygen polyps produced by photosynthesis are inhaled by organisms. Corals also get their beautiful colors from Susantale. This coral reef, with its rich biodiversity, can be seen as a beautiful platform.

The beauty of the bottom of the ocean is now under threat. It is a tragedy that these coral reefs are under severe threat, especially from coral mining, agricultural and urban waste disposal, overfishing, dynamite blasting, fishing, and canal cutting.