Zea,-S.; Duque-Tobon,-F. Bleaching of reef organisms in the Santa Marta Region, Colombia: 1987 Caribbean-wide event.TRIANEA. 1989. no. 3, pp. 37-51. The coral reef bleaching event that began in October 1987 along the Caribbean coast of Colombia is described. Twenty species of sessile coral reef organisms were bleached, but no more than 10% of the total living coral tissue was affected. All marked corals recovered almost completely within approximately equals 5 months. The most likely cause of this event was the combined effect of water warming and turbidity associated with meteorological phenomena and extensive deforestation of coastal watersheds.