Coral reefs for protection against ultraviolet rays
2009/12/03 Lakar Iraizoz, Oihane - Elhuyar Zientzia
Some biologists at the Queensland University of Australia have seen that coral reefs have the same function as solar creams, that is, they absorb the ultraviolet rays of the Sun, thus protecting themselves and the living beings of these ecosystems.
They knew that the exoskeleton of corals emits fluorescent light by subjecting it to ultraviolet light. From there, it was thought that these exoskeletons could be protected from the harmful effect of ultraviolet rays.
In one experiment anemones were placed that were dedicated to symbiosis with corals, both on corals and on a white surface that clearly reflected what corals reflect. Well, they observed that those on the corals received four times less ultraviolet rays and that their DNA suffered seven times less damage than those on the reflective surface. As explained, this protection is due to the calcium carbonate of the exoskeleton, which absorbs ultraviolet rays and emits rays of a much larger wavelength, that is, fluorescent light.
Image: iStockphoto.com/Stephan Kerkhofs
Gai honi buruzko eduki gehiago
Elhuyarrek garatutako teknologia
