Page 146 - The Microworld Miracle

wastes and bacteria, making for an increase in fertility and life. That
is also the reason why there is life in the Red Sea.
Algae, too, benefit from this relationship, of course. Under nor-
mal conditions, coral gives off ammonia and CO . These substances
2
are a perfect source of fertilizer, and food for algae. At the same
time, algae need nitrate and phosphate in order to survive, which
75
substances are found in coral waste products. Coral has wastes,
because as you know, coral is an animal, and not a plant. Therefore,
all the raw materials necessary for algae to live are present in the
coral's tissues. The algae obtain all the food they need, without ex-
pending any effort, from this invertebrate on which they live, which
also protects them from enemies.
The methods developed by coral to provide sunlight for algae
exhibit an obvious planning. Corals generally anchor themselves in

places in the sea where
there is strong sun-
light, and espe-
cially in shallow

THE MICROWORLD MIRACLE provide easy food for

The main element al-
lowing coral to sur-
vive is green algae.
Algae sheltering on
the surface of coral

synthesis they carry
out.
144 it thanks to the photo-