Algae that ‘smothers’ coral spreads at Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument

A mysterious algae that’s puzzled researchers is now spreading around the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, potentially putting coral ecosystems at risk. Scientists refer to the nuisance alga as chondria tumulosa...The algae’s origin is unclear and just two months ago, researchers said it seemed mostly contained to Pearl and Hermes atolls. However, the species has now been detected 100 miles away at Midway Atoll and as it spreads across the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument, more questions remain.

Full Article