reef bleaching
Coral losing color
Reef bleaching is the loss of color in coral reefs when stressed corals expel the symbiotic algae living in their tissues.
The algae provide corals with nutrients and their vibrant colors; without them, the coral turns white and may die if conditions don't improve.
Rising ocean temperatures are the primary cause: Climate change has accelerated reef bleaching worldwide.
Also called coral bleaching.
- coralMarine skeletal formation
- whiteningMaking something lighter
- oceanMassive saltwater body
- warmingIncreasing in temperature
- climatePrevailing atmospheric conditions
algae · thermal stress · dying · mass die-off · dead zones · stress · rising temperatures · tropical · sea · temperature · ocean warming · acidification · marine · marine life · ecosystem · colorless · skeleton · polyps
- water pollutionsewage, industrial waste, contaminants, algal bloom, toxic waste
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