Hurricanes, with their fury and destructive power, don't just affect coastal areas and what's above the sea surface. Marine life, in all its diversity, is also deeply impacted by these powerful natural phenomena.
In this article, we will dive into the underwater world to discover what happens to animals in the ocean. ocean during and after the passage of a hurricane, as well as the challenges faced by ecosystems marine.
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How do hurricanes affect marine life?
The Florida peninsula, in the United States, is an area frequently hit by hurricanes and is home to a rich marine biodiversity, including coral reefs, temperate marshes and herb meadows marines.
However, as Melissa May, assistant professor of biology marine at Florida Gulf Coast University, the response of these ecosystems and their inhabitants to hurricanes varies considerably.
One of the most visible effects of hurricanes on the ocean is the creation of impressive waves, some reaching 20 meters in height.
These choppy waves mix cold water from the depths with warmer surface water, creating sea currents that can upturn sediment up to 90 meters deep.
(Image: Shutterstock/reproduction)
Marine life, however, is not at the mercy of hurricanes. Many species, such as mammals and fish, have the ability to seek deeper, calmer waters for shelter during the season. storm.
Blacktip sharks, for example, have been observed leaving the area before the arrival of a tropical storm and returning after a few days.
However, not everyone can escape the fury of hurricanes. Marine mammals, such as dolphins, can become trapped in lagoons and dikes, compromising their survival.
The impacts on fish are also notable, with their gills becoming clogged by sediment or the formation of deadly bubbles of nitrogen gas in their blood.
Seagrass beds and oyster reefs can be buried by shifting sediments and wave action. Baby sea turtles can be washed ashore, requiring rescue and protection until they can be returned to the sea.
The relationship between corals and hurricanes is ambiguous, as strong waves can help offset the effects of coral bleaching, but can also break and kill them.
And when the storm goes away?
The impacts on the ocean do not disappear with the passage of the storm. Leaks of toxic chemicals from cars and boats, as well as sewage problems, can cause lasting environmental damage.
Rains and floods introduce a large amount of fresh water into marine environments, affecting organisms sensitive to changes in salinity.
In a world with increasingly intense hurricanes due to climate change, the future of marine life in Florida's seas is uncertain and challenging.
Recovering marine ecosystems takes time, and scientists continue to study the complex effects of hurricanes to better understand and protect life in the oceans.