Coral reef

Sea urchin research at Tel Aviv University. Photo by Shahaf Ben Ezra

Pathogens, storms and extreme temperatures: the causes of mass sea urchin deaths

A pair of studies from Tel Aviv University map 110 mass mortality events of sea urchins since 1888 and show that pathogens are the main cause, while also presenting a "corona swab" method for non-invasive genetic sampling under the skin.
Divers explore the coral reef in Eilat. Illustration: depositphotos.com

The coral reef in Eilat has temporarily "shut down" due to sea level change

New research from the Hebrew University and Bar-Ilan University reveals that the coral reef in the Gulf of Eilat experienced a temporary "shutdown" about 4,500 years ago due to falling sea levels. The researchers identified a recovery after about 3,000 years and found
Gal Vared holds a rope on which a soft coral grows in the coral reef at a depth of 15 meters in front of the Katsa beach (photograph: Dr. Ronan Lieberman)

Encouraging news: plastic pollution in the Gulf of Eilat is low compared to other coral reefs in the world

The research team: "We must act quickly to continue to protect our coral reefs" * The article is dedicated to the memory of Tal Ilon, a man of the sea, commander of the Kfar Gaza alert squad who was murdered on the 7