TechKnow Season 3 Episode 14 Coral Catastrophe

In the 14th episode of TechKnow's third season, titled "Coral Catastrophe," the team investigates the increasingly dire state of the world's coral reefs. The episode begins with an interview with Dr. Mark Eakin, coordinator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Coral Reef Watch program, who outlines the scope of the problem and explains why coral reefs are so important.

The team then travels to the Florida Keys to dive with Dr. Dave Vaughan, a coral researcher who has been studying how to grow corals in nurseries to restore damaged reefs. They learn about the challenges of growing and transplanting corals, including the need to carefully select the right species and to protect them from disease.

Next, the team visits the Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota, Florida, to meet Dr. Erinn Muller, a coral researcher who is experimenting with using probiotics to protect corals from disease. She explains how certain bacteria can help corals resist pathogens and demonstrates the process of inoculating corals with these helpful microbes.

The episode also includes segments on the impact of climate change on coral reefs, including the role of rising ocean temperatures and ocean acidification, as well as the devastating effects of pollution and overfishing. Throughout the episode, the TechKnow team emphasizes the urgent need to take action to protect these crucial ecosystems.