Recent studies of American oceanographers have shown that the Gulf of Mexico, apparently fully recovered from the effects of the unfortunate accident that happened two years ago. And this they told local coral polyps. Their spawning hosted this year's absolutely normal - if contaminated, this would be simply impossible.

Reproduction coral polyps is a beautiful and spectacular. Although watching it is not so easy - these beautiful and fragile creatures suit "privacy" under the cover of night. However, those who still have seen this process was always amazed at his clarity and organization.

It seems that at a certain moment, as if obeying some secret signal, body polyps begin to grow, like helium balloons. Further there is a simultaneous release of sex cells, both male and female - corals because hermaphrodites. All this is similar to how the milk is poured in the black of strong coffee. And finally over slowly raises gametes up to the place of their future meetings.

It is this picture just recently watched the Director of the research Institute of the Gulf of Mexico behalf of HART (USA) Larry McKinney and his colleagues for four nights. And not just anywhere, but in the Gulf of Mexico. And if more precise, in the water area of the reserve Flower Garden Banks, which is about 175 kilometres South-East of Galveston (Texas).

It should be noted that in this reserve are inhabited by 21 species highest reef-building corals. That is the bottom represents the Northern reef in North America. Almost all polyps adapted to life in the sea water at temperature 20-30 C. in Addition, they are extremely sensitive to the slightest contamination. Proceeding from this, you can use them as an excellent indicator of the environment.

Current coral spawning very happy scientists - it suggests that the elimination of the consequences of the incident of 20 April 2010 in 80 kilometers from the coast of Louisiana accident at the oil from Deepwater Horizon was successful. The thing is that if the water is oil, polyps will not multiply - why waste precious sex cells hurl? Because of the near-surface oil slick will not give the gametes to come closer to each other - they are just becoming mired in this "swamp".

So, corals given a final answer to the question whether there were traces of pollution in the Bay. No, they did not remain, and seriously wounded at the time, the water area managed (not without the help of people) to recover from a terrible misfortune. All marine ecosystems, even such fragile as coral reefs, are now operating normally. So normal that resumed session of mass reproduction.

Don't know about you, but I for one am very pleased to hear that it worked. For a long time scientists have made various predictions about the future residents of the Gulf, including very dark. Someone thought that trouble the water area not recover ever, and the birthplace of the Gulf stream, which is famous for its extraordinary biological productivity, to turn into a dead zone.

As all the same well, that was the most optimistic scenario, and the sea is once again demonstrated his extraordinary vitality. However, this does not mean that we need to experience the marine ecosystem for strength. Moreover, observations of reproduction coral polyps researchers saw something that their little alarmed.

Biologists said that the spawning was not as prolific as in the previous year. In some cases, reducing the number of gametes can be seen with the naked eye. However, it is possible that the limits of natural variations were not violated. Since the divers had to stay under water for more than an hour, they could miss the period of maximal activity.

However, this may be another explanation. The matter is that on 2 August, shortly before spawning National Board of oceanic and atmospheric research (USA) reported an increase in temperature in the Bay. Indeed, when diving temperature of water in the reserve amounted to 30.2-30,5 C. it is Therefore possible that corals responded to a decrease of fertility exactly to this fact.

Anyway, the reserve staff noted that, in General, the reproduction of polyps was successful. It is interesting, that this year to predict the time of its beginning was not easy. Usually spawning takes place in seven to ten days after the first of the August full moon, but this time the full moon stood and 1, and 2 August. Therefore, the experts did not know which day to start the countdown. In the end, there was some "asynchronous", star" and "brain" corals, usually "blooming" in one night, began to breed at different times.

However, despite the small "trouble" scientists have concluded that the Gulf of Mexico fully "healthy". This is despite the fact that without the unfortunate accident of this water area has strong influence of human activity. However there are serious danger for him, apparently not.

"This is sort of similar Canaries in the coal mine", explains the interest of scientists to personal life coral polyps himself Mr. McKinney. And clarifies that according to the last survey, this Canary still sings. So, life in the Gulf continues...