honorable mention
Tom Shlesinger israel
title
Fizzy sea
This series of photos was taken on a scientific expedition to a remote island in Papua New Guinea, where volcanic carbon dioxide fizzles from the seafloor alongside diverse and healthy coral reefs. These underwater volcanic seeps add heated water with high concentrations of carbon dioxide that results in temperature and acidity levels similar to those expected at the end of the century and commonly regarded as too extreme for corals' survival. This site offers a unique and authentic 'natural laboratory' for the study of the effects of climate change (ocean acidification and global warming) on coral reefs. Despite the acidity levels that are regarded as too extreme for corals to even build their calcareous skeletons, the reefs in this area are surprisingly thriving, and hosting highly diverse communities of all marine animals.
The scientific team on this expedition, which is part of the CARIOCA project (Coral reef acclimatization to ocean acidification), is trying to figure out how these thriving coral reefs function, acclimate, and adapt to such extreme environment. This study may provide unique insights regarding the future of coral reef ecosystems in an era of rapidly changing climate that already affects nature severely all around the world.
Today, I am a marine biologist, underwater photographer, and a naturalist. Most of my photographic and scientific journeys focus on capturing unique moments of unseen behavioral and reproductive phenomena of coral reef inhabitants.
In many cases, underwater photographers are drawn to big fish and other animals due to their interesting behavior, abundance, brilliant colorations, or sheer size. In my photography, I try to bring into the spotlight the backbone of the fascinating underwater tropical world: stony corals. They are the engineers, architects, and the artists that build and maintain the complex reef structures, and breathe life into them.
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entry description
Coral reefs are among the most diverse and productive ecosystems on our planet. They shelter and provide food to the denizens of the deep, and also generously feed and support us, humans. We, in turn, have adopted lifestyles that endanger their very existence. We pollute, over-fish, and release gases into the atmosphere that are causing acidification and warming of the oceans to such values that corals are no longer able to tolerate. Despite the global decline trajectory of coral reefs and mass bleaching events, many coral reefs in the world are more resistant and resilient, and currently still thriving.This series of photos was taken on a scientific expedition to a remote island in Papua New Guinea, where volcanic carbon dioxide fizzles from the seafloor alongside diverse and healthy coral reefs. These underwater volcanic seeps add heated water with high concentrations of carbon dioxide that results in temperature and acidity levels similar to those expected at the end of the century and commonly regarded as too extreme for corals' survival. This site offers a unique and authentic 'natural laboratory' for the study of the effects of climate change (ocean acidification and global warming) on coral reefs. Despite the acidity levels that are regarded as too extreme for corals to even build their calcareous skeletons, the reefs in this area are surprisingly thriving, and hosting highly diverse communities of all marine animals.
The scientific team on this expedition, which is part of the CARIOCA project (Coral reef acclimatization to ocean acidification), is trying to figure out how these thriving coral reefs function, acclimate, and adapt to such extreme environment. This study may provide unique insights regarding the future of coral reef ecosystems in an era of rapidly changing climate that already affects nature severely all around the world.
about the photographer
Since I can remember myself, I was attracted to the sea and its mysteries. My first dive took place in the Red Sea when I was only six years old, and since then I have been fascinated with the diversity of life forms and their behavior, colors, shapes, and patterns.Today, I am a marine biologist, underwater photographer, and a naturalist. Most of my photographic and scientific journeys focus on capturing unique moments of unseen behavioral and reproductive phenomena of coral reef inhabitants.
In many cases, underwater photographers are drawn to big fish and other animals due to their interesting behavior, abundance, brilliant colorations, or sheer size. In my photography, I try to bring into the spotlight the backbone of the fascinating underwater tropical world: stony corals. They are the engineers, architects, and the artists that build and maintain the complex reef structures, and breathe life into them.
back to gallery