Odd chill kills florida corals

Cold water burbling up from the depths has stunned and killed some of Florida's endangered coral.

...as if the ocean acid monster, global warming, and eutrophication weren't enough of a problem already...

Nobody knows why, but a spate of cold water squirted up from the deep ocean--where it's always cold--and gave corals and fish an icy bath that was too much for some. Dead tropical fish on the ocean bottom was one of the first signs of trouble, according to a dive instructor.

The cold water was especially harmful since it came during the warmest time of year, in summer. Alternately heating and chilling corals and fish is even more stressful than either warm or cold water alone.

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