“That’s correct,” Gunn nodded. “When conditions return to normal the reef will recover. But we’ve never seen such widespread damage at such an alarming rate”

“Any idea of the cause?”

“Two factors. One, the usual culprit, warm water. Periodic rises in water temperature, generally from changes in sea currents, cause the tiny coral polyps to eject, or vomit if you will, the algae they feed on.”

“The polyps being the little tubular devils that build the reefs with their skeletal remains.”

“Very good.”

“What about sums up my knowledge on coral,” Pitt admitted. “The life-and-death struggle of coral polyps rarely makes the evening news.”

“A shame,” Gunn said briefly. “Especially when you consider that changes in coral can be an accurate barometer of future trends in sea and weather conditions.”

“All right, so the polyps spit out the algae,” Pitt prodded. “Then what?”

“Because algae is the nutrient that feeds the polyps and gives them vibrant colors,” Gunn went on, “its loss starves the coral, leaving it white and lifeless, a phenomenon known as bleaching.”

“Which seldom occurs when the waters are cool.”

Gunn looked at Pitt. “Why am I telling you this if you already know it all?”

“I’m waiting for you to get to the good part.”

“Let me drink my coffee before it gets cold.”

There was a silence. Gunn wasn’t really in the mood for coffee, but he sipped away until Pitt became impatient.

“Okay,” Pitt said. “Coral reefs are dying around the world. So what’s the second factor in their extinction?”

Gunn idly stirred his coffee with a plastic spoon. “A new threat, and a critical one, is the sudden abundance of thick, green algae and seaweed that is blanketing the reefs like an out-of-control plague.”

“Hold on. You say the coral is starving because it’s spitting out the algae even though it’s smothered in the stuff?”

“The warmer water gives and takes. It acts to destroy the reefs while it aids in the growth of algae that can prevent nutrients and sunlight from reaching the coral. Somewhat like smothering it to death.”

Pitt ran a hand through his black hair. “Hopefully the situation will be corrected when the water turns cooler.”

“Hasn’t happened,” said Gunn. “Not in the Southern Hemisphere. Nor is a temperature drop in the water predicted in the next decade.”

“You think it’s a natural phenomenon or fallout from the greenhouse effect?”

“A possibility, along with the usual indications of pollution.”

“But you have no solid evidence?” Pitt put to him.

“Neither I nor our NUMA ocean scientists have all the answers.”

“I never heard of a test tube junkie who didn’t have a theory,” Pitt grinned.

Gunn smiled back. “I’ve never looked at myself in that light.”

“Or those terms.”

“You love to stick it to people, don’t you.”

“Only opinionated academics.”