Coral reefs are one of the most diverse and vibrant ecosystems on Earth, providing habitat for a vast array of marine life and contributing significantly to the health of our oceans. The 1DESTROY of coral reefs worldwide could accelerate, according to investigators. This is due to rising carbon emissions which help coral-killing seaweeds grow more 2POISON and take over. A Griffith University study on the Great Barrier Reef has shown how rising CO2 emissions trigger more 3POTENT in chemicals from common weed-like algae that poison corals as they compete for space. The study, conducted on Heron Island with reef and chemical ecology experts from the University of Queensland and the US, predicts that business as usual emissions would 4SIGNIFY harm vital corals by 2050 and kill them off by 2100. The researchers said their findings had global 5IMPLY as one of the most damaging seaweeds was found in reefs worldwide. The findings also shed new light on the 6COMPETE advantage seaweeds enjoyed over corals in seawater. This is particularly relevant with rising carbon 7CONCENTRATE. Additionally, the 8EFFECT of trying to remove seaweeds that had the ability to regrow meant the problem could be tackled only by cutting the amount of carbon released into the atmosphere.