Coral reef communities (which are important for minimizing damage from storm surges) are being harmed by global climate change. Part of the problem is warmer water causing coral bleaching. What is the other problem?
Answer: As more carbon dioxide dissolves in the ocean, the water becomes more acidic.
The acid conditions prevent the coral from building their calcium carbonate exoskeletons efficiently.
Melting of ice sheets decreases the salinity of the ocean and causes coral death.
As the planet warms, more water evaporates from the oceans, exposing the coral to air and killing it.
Excess carbon dioxide blocks sunlight from reaching the symbiotic algae that the coral animals need to survive As the planet warms, more water evaporates from the oceans, exposing the coral to air and killing it.
Answer: As more carbon dioxide dissolves in the ocean, the water becomes more acidic.
The acid conditions prevent the coral from building their calcium carbonate exoskeletons efficiently.
Melting of ice sheets decreases the salinity of the ocean and causes coral death.
As the planet warms, more water evaporates from the oceans, exposing the coral to air and killing it.
Excess carbon dioxide blocks sunlight from reaching the symbiotic algae that the coral animals need to survive As the planet warms, more water evaporates from the oceans, exposing the coral to air and killing it.