Climate change is adversely affecting coral reefs, with rising ocean temperatures leading to more frequent and intense coral bleaching events. The Great Barrier Reef (GBR) has experienced seven mass coral bleaching events since 1998, five of which have occurred since 2016, including the most recent event in February 2024. It is estimated that more than 98% of coral reefs in the GBR have been affected by bleaching, with adverse impacts on coral growth and calcification, larval supply and stock-recruitment. The Reef Restoration and Adaptation Program (RRAP) is developing interventions that can help the GBR resist, adapt to and recover from the impacts of climate change. Marine cloud brightening is one intervention that is being considered to reduce light and temperature stress in corals during high-risk bleaching periods. We use a high-resolution regional coupled atmosphere-ocean model of the GBR to assess the impacts of injecting sea spray aerosol for marine cloud brightening in both the atmosphere and in the underlying coral reef.
The Reef Restoration and Adaptation Program is funded by the partnership between the Australian Governments Reef Trust and the Great Barrier Reef Foundation.