Hardy,-J.T.; Hoge,-F.E.; Yungel,-J.K.; Dodge,-R.E.   Remote 
	detection of coral "bleaching" using pulsed-laser 
	fluorescence spectroscopy.  MAR.-ECOL.-PROG.-SER. 1992. 
	vol. 88, no. 2-3, pp. 247-255.

Despite their biological and economic importance coral reefs 
are increasingly threatened by human activities. Recently, 
"bleaching" of reefs, i.e. loss of photosynthetic 
pigmentation, has occurred at numerous globally-distributed 
sites. A number of environmental stressors, including 
increased water temperature, can induce bleaching. Several 
investigators have suggested that the widespread occurrence 
of coral bleaching represents an early warning signal of 
global greenhouse warming. Regardless of the cause, the 
extent of coral bleaching, both regionally and globally, 
needs to be documented and monitored. We conducted laboratory 
studies to evaluate the potential of using remotely-sensed 
laser-induced fluorescence to monitor coral pigmentation. 
Five species of Caribbean corals were collected, transported 
to the laboratory, and maintained in aquaria. Coral samples 
were irradiated at either 532 nm or 337 nm with pulsed-laser 
light and spectral scans of fluorescence were collected at 1 
nm intervals. Distinct chlorophyll fluorescence peaks at 685 
and 740 nm were observed in all species examined.