Why corals bleach: Neutrons show algae photosynthesis breaking down
Phys.org
February 25, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Rising sea temperatures are causing widespread coral bleaching, a phenomenon where corals expel the algae that provide them with food and color. For the first time, researchers at the Technical University of Munich’s Research Neutron Source Heinz Maier-Leibnitz (FRM II) have used neutrons to directly study the biological processes behind this bleaching in living corals. By visualizing structural changes during the bleaching process, they gained new insights into how photosynthesis breaks down under stress. Their findings, published in *Journal of Applied Crystallography*, highlight the importance of understanding coral bleaching mechanisms to protect marine ecosystems.
Coral bleaching occurs when corals are exposed to higher-than-normal sea temperatures, leading to stress and the expulsion of symbiotic algae known as zooxanthellae, which provide energy through photosynthesis. This study is significant because it offers a deeper understanding of how rising temperatures disrupt these biological processes. Using neutrons, the researchers were able to observe structural changes in the corals’ tissues without damaging them, revealing that the breakdown of photosynthetic structures occurs as temperatures rise.
This breakthrough is crucial for marine conservation efforts, as coral reefs are vital to ocean biodiversity and coastal protection. By unraveling the mechanisms behind bleaching, scientists can better understand how to mitigate its effects. The use of neutron imaging in this study demonstrates its potential as a powerful tool for studying complex biological processes non-invasively, opening new avenues for research into marine ecosystems under stress.
The findings also underscore the urgent need to address climate change, which continues to drive rising sea temperatures and threaten coral reefs globally. This study not only advances scientific knowledge but also provides hope for developing strategies to protect these fragile ecosystems from further decline.
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Originally published on Phys.org on 2/25/2026