Author: Kristine L. Alave
Source: Inquirer.net [1]
June 10, 2012

"MANILA, Philippines — Coral reefs around the world are under threat from another round of bleaching as ocean surface temperature is expected to rise in the latter part of the year, according to a leading marine scientist.

According to Professor Terry Hughes, Australia’s foremost marine biologist on coral ecosystems, massive coral bleaching is “entirely likely” in some reef areas including Southeast Asia due to the El Niño phenomenon, which is forecast to occur in the latter part of 2012.

Hughes said the weather bureau in Australia has seen a “50-50” chance of El Niño, a weather pattern that results in dry spells, in 2012."

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