How does excess CO 2 emission cause the reduction of coral reefs around the world? None of these is the correct answer. Carbonic acid physically damage corals. Carbonic acid is formed from the reaction between CO 2 and H 2 O . The reduction of calcium carbonate in the ocean prevents corals to harden their exoskeleton to survive and thrive. Invertebrates that feed on corals thrive in high amounts of CO 2 . .