Images

Bleaching colony of elliptical star coral, Dichocoenia stokesii, Florida Keys. When corals are stressed, the symbiosis between the coral animal and its photosynthetic algal symbionts (zooxanthellae) breaks down and the zooxanthellae are expelled from the coral tissue.

Bleaching colony of symmetrical brain coral, Diploria strigosa, Florida Keys. When corals are stressed, the symbiosis between the coral animal and its photosynthetic algal symbionts (zooxanthellae) breaks down and the zooxanthellae are expelled from the coral tissue.

Bleaching colonies of mountainous star coral, Montastraea faveolata, Florida Keys. When corals are stressed, the symbiosis between the coral animal and its photosynthetic algal symbionts (zooxanthellae) breaks down and the zooxanthellae are expelled from the coral tissue.

Bleaching colony of massive starlet coral, Siderastrea siderea, Florida Keys. When corals are stressed, the symbiosis between the coral animal and its photosynthetic algal symbionts (zooxanthellae) breaks down and the zooxanthellae are expelled from the coral tissue.

Bleaching colony of massive starlet coral, Siderastrea siderea, Florida Keys. When corals are stressed, the symbiosis between the coral animal and its photosynthetic algal symbionts (zooxanthellae) breaks down and the zooxanthellae are expelled from the coral tissue.

Bleaching colony of blushing star coral, Stephanocoenia intersepta/michelinii.

A colony of symmetrical brain coral, Diploria strigosa, affected by black-band disease (BBD), Florida Keys.

A colony of mountainous star coral, Montastraea faveolata, affected by black-band disease (BBD), Florida Keys.

A colony of elliptical star coral, Dichocoenia stokesii, affected by black-band disease (BBD), Florida Keys.

A colony of knobby brain coral, Diploria clivosa, affected by black-band disease (BBD), Florida Keys.

Close-up of the interface between bleached polyps of the great star coral, Montastraea cavernosa, and black-band disease (BBD), Florida Keys. The dead coral skeleton behind the black band has become overgrown with green algae.

A colony of Colpophyllia breviserialis affected by black-band disease (BBD), Florida Keys.

Close-up of the interface between polyps of the mountainous star coral, Montastraea faveolata, and black-band disease (BBD), Florida Keys. Behind the black band is white coral skeleton remaining after the polyps have died.

A colony of symmetrical brain coral, Diploria strigosa, affected by black-band disease (BBD), Florida Keys.

A colony of grooved brain coral, Diploria labyrinthiformis, affected by black-band disease (BBD), Florida Keys.

A colony of symmetrical brain coral, Diploria strigosa, affected by black-band disease (BBD), Florida Keys.

A colony of lobed star coral, Montastraea annularis, affected by black-band disease (BBD), Florida Keys.

Scientists at the USGS St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center study coral reef ecosystems. This coral, Orbicella annularis, was photographed in the Florida Keys during field work on coral disease. 

A colony of mountainous star coral, Montastraea faveolata, affected by black-band disease (BBD), Florida Keys.

A colony of knobby brain coral, Diploria clivosa, affected by black-band disease (BBD), Florida Keys.

A close-up of an eroded ocean dune scarp. The dune scarp is about 5 foot tall, with visible layers that were created as the dune was naturally building from wind.