New Tech Will Determine Pollution Levels In Great Barrier Reef

By on July 7, 2015
Great Barrier Reef. (Credit: Sarah Ackerman/CC BY 2.0)

Great Barrier Reef. (Credit: Sarah Ackerman/CC BY 2.0)


A new satellite tool called the “eReef” will track sediment and chemical changes in the Great Barrier Reef to determine just how threatened the site truly is, according to The Guardian.

Many supporters of the eReef, including The BHP Billiton Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA), one of the largest coal mining companies in the world, are hoping that the tracker is successful in measuring ocean acidification and warming in the reef. These measurements helped the World Heritage Committee decide that the reef was not “in danger” at the UNESCO session on July 6, 2015.

If listed as “in danger,” the reef would have been included in discussion at the next UN Conference on climate change in November, bringing attention to possible solutions for the reef. Supporters are hopeful that this tracker can help locals recognize the threat to the reef and change their own polluting habits.

Top image: Great Barrier Reef. (Credit: Sarah Ackerman/CC BY 2.0)

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