Causes Of Coral Reef Bleaching

Causes Of Coral Reef Bleaching
Neida M. Gutierrez
Mrs. Ybarra
Chemistry CC
20 Oct, 2017
Research paper: Causes of coral reef bleaching and how Co2 emissions affect coral populations
The effects of Co2 emissions over the years have greatly impacted the way coral reefs thrive in
certain parts of the ocean. To understand why coral reefs are dying throughout the oceans it is
imperative to first see what a coral is and what it is composed of. Corals are oceanic invertebrates
which fall into the phylum Cnidaria. Corals reefs mostly consist of shells made of aragonite, which
is the crystallized form of CaCo3. Small algae called zooxanthellae helps the corals with the vibrant
colors they are known for. Coals are one of the most inhabitable species found because of what they
can be composed of. For example, one species that make up the coral reefs are sea anemone. Sea
Anemones are chemically composed of a poison in their tentacles that fire viciously into their
victims penetrating them with a paralyzing neurotoxin. Clownfish, however, had a mucus–like layer
that protects them from the poison and is able to make a home out of the anemone. There is so much
life that is brought by coral reefs. There can be a plethora of symbiotic relationships found in coral
reefs. As years start to progress and humans are started to manipulate the natural environment of
these biological inhibitors. Coral reefs annually benefit human both directly and indirectly by $375
and about 500 million people need the reefs in
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Coral Bleaching In Australia
Coral bleaching occurs when the microscopic plants (zooxanthellae) are expelled by rising ocean
temperature. When there are no microscopic plants such as zooxanthellae, the coral turns white and
die. The studies show that throughout the worlds ocean, from the Florida Keys to the Great Barrier
Reef of the Australia have been evidence of unique coral bleaching caused by the rising of ocean
temperature. In the early 1980s the coral bleaching event has increased because of rapid increase of
sea water temperature. Esther et al., investigates growth of Oculina patagonica at multiple
environmental conditions in the western Mediterranean Sea. The Oculina patagonia is stony coral
specie which is found mostly in the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean. The coral was basically Atlantic
origin which was transferred to Mediterranean Sea. ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Esther et al., studied nine live species of O. patagonica in western Mediterranean Sea for the
duration of about of about eighteen months. The nine colonies were marked in the normal location
by the nail on the rock at about 3–5m in February 2010. They took photography of every marked
colony by every 3 month (Esther et al., 2014). They categorized each marked colony into the six
category that is unbleached, paler, the coral surface that is 0–20% bleached, 20–80% bleached coral
surfaces, less than 50–80% bleached and less than 80 percent bleached (Esther et al., They
calculated the Bleaching index and the necrosis of the marked colonies of the O. patagonia to
understand the coral bleaching in the specie(Esther et

Coral Bleaching In Hawaii
Jordan Miller
Mr. Miraya
Honors US History
September 12, 2015 Throughout Hawaii, ocean temperatures are oddly becoming warmer. On
Friday, scientists said that this will cause the worst coral bleaching that Hawaii has ever
experienced. Coral reefs are still trying to mend from the bleaching of last year. The bleaching of
coral reefs is when warm water forces algae to leave the reef. Once the algae disappear, the coral
goes from a vibrant color to a pale white. As one marine biologist said, "You go from a vibrant,
three–dimensional structure teeming with life, teeming with color, to a flat pavement..." This
bleaching makes the coral more vulnerable to diseases and a greater risk of death. The biggest
bleaching events to have occurred in

Coral Bleaching Research Paper
Coral bleaching You get into your car and turn on the radio, and someone immediately starts talking
about global warming, and how the ice caps are melting and how the polar bears are dying. While
all of this is true, the one thing that people don't talk about is how global warming is affecting coral
reefs all over the ocean. All over the world the beautiful coral reefs are dying, along with many fish
and other animals that depend on them to live. The oceans are starting to warm up all over the world
and people aren't doing anything to try and stop it, and if we keep using coal and fossil fuels to heat
up the earth, then all of the coral reefs could be gone by 2050, and we've already lost 45% of the
coral reefs in the last 30 years. Even though most of the coral reefs are dying, there are still many
things that we can do to preserve the rest of them, and all of the animals that live with them. One
thing is that people could help reduce global warming by walking or riding a bike. The fuel
emissions that are released into the air, are causing the air to warm up. This is causing the ocean
temperatures to rise slowly. This is bad because when there are warm waters algae starts to
disappear. The algae is what gives the coral most of its color, so when it is gone the coral is under a
lot of stress, and all ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
That could not only harm the coral reefs, but also the animals in the ocean too. The main reason why
this is happening is, once again, because of global warming. This is because once the water starts to
warm up, the ocean can't hold as much oxygen as it needs to. As soon as this happens the ocean
won't be able to hold enough oxygen to support everything in the ocean, therefore cutting off a
major suppily that the coral reefs need to survive. When the coral reefs they start to lose their color,
and slowly killing off the coral reefs that can never come

Coral Bleaching Effects
From 1979 to 2006 there were at least six mass coral bleaching events, each of which were triggered
by warming conditions, including higher water temperatures (Goldberg & Wilkinson, 2004). In 2005
the United States lost half of their Caribbean reefs due to one such bleaching event (National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 2016). The color of corals typically comes from the
zooxanthellae living within the coral tissues, and the white color that is associated with coral
bleaching is due to the expelling of the zooxanthellae as water temperatures increase (National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 2016). Therefore, as coral bleaching seems to be related
to increases in water temperature, it is reasonable to predict that coral bleaching events could
become more common as global climate change results in further ocean temperature increases.
However, bleaching events do not kill corals, rather coral bleaching places the corals under high
stress and makes them more vulnerable to other disturbances, which results in ... Show more content
on Helpwriting.net ...
One example is the Indo–Pacific lionfish. In one study, 9 tested coral reef communities saw an
increase of lionfish by 65% which coincided with a decrease in the biomass of 42 prey species, and
this decrease in prey biomass can alter predator populations, shifting the trophic levels of those
communities (Green et al., 2012). Without further efforts to control invasive populations like the
lionfish, coral reef communities could experience long–term negative effects due to the
simplification of their ecosystem. The Pacific red lionfish is an effective invader, who heavily
impacts native systems, due to its' venomous spines, rapid growth, and high reproductive rates
(Albins & Hixon, 2013). The red lionfish in coral reef communities in the Bahamas reduced fish
recruitment by 74% and lionfish had reduced prey fish populations by 90% alone (Albins & Hixon,

Coral Bleaching Effect
The Great Barrier Reef alone contains 1400 different species of coral (Stokes et al., 2004), which is
an aquatic invertebrate that provides a home to millions of different species of organisms. In the past
decade the number of coral species classified as endangered has increased (Sarkar & Ghosh, 2013),
with coral bleaching being the main, underlying cause (Lukoschek et al., 2013). Coral bleaching is
part of the natural evolution of coral, however several mass bleaching incidences have occurred in
recent decades due too human activity (Lesser, 2007). A mass global bleaching event in 2010
sparked the attention of scientists around the world as to the impact coral bleaching has on the
surrounding environment and urged scientists to further pursue possible methods to overcome coral
bleaching. This essay will outline what coral bleaching is and the overall impact it has on the
environment. Additionally, a conclusion will be drawn as to whether enough is being done to
decrease coral bleaching incidences.
Coral, of the phylum Cnidaria, is a is a crucial organism within many aquatic ecosystems providing
food and shelter for both a large number and diverse range of species (Wilson et al., 2010).
Individual animals have the ability to bud together to ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Evidence has shown that the repercussions that the loss of coral has on the environment is
irreversible with the possibility of entire ecosystems vanishing. Strategies have been introduced to
reduce the global ocean temperatures, which is the main cause of coral bleaching, such as the carbon
tax in Costa Rica. Many strategies such as this are slow acting however, therefore, they should be
implemented in concurrence with other, more direct, solutions such as marine parks. More needs to
be done both long term and short term to stabilise the current climate as there are serious
environmental and economic losses that could

Coral Bleaching Dinoflagellates
Coral bleaching is a broad yet complex topic that involves the mutualistic and obligate symbiosis
between corals and dinoflagellate algae of the genus Symbiodinium, commonly referred to as
zooxanthellae. Bleaching occurs when a significant concentration of the zooxanthellae are no longer
fixed on the coral, which occurs due to an inability to perform their role (Wooldridge and Done
2009). With the often colorful dinoflagellate algae gone, the coral is left as a white carbonate
skeleton (Douglas 2003). There are many effects, symptoms, and chemical changes that occur to
arrive at that point; bleaching, therefore, can be thought of as a broad term describing the multiple
different symptoms and mechanisms causing these deleterious responses of coral. These effects
influence not only the endosymbiotic relationship of the corals and dinoflagellates but also the
myriad of organisms that depend on the corals. In this paper, I will describe the complex nature of
the causes, environmentally and mechanically, of bleaching and their effects on the ecosystem they
inhabit. First, the main environmental causes of the effects of coral reef bleaching will be described,
namely changes in water conditions. The specific damage to the coral reef will then be explored,
looking deeply into the underlying biochemistry of the symbiotic relationship. Finally, the
consequence ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
For the plethora of species that inhabit the corals, they provide food and shelter and tend to mitigate
the competition and predation that occur in the ecosystems they are a part of; this moderation is due
to the topographic complexity that many coral reefs display, facilitating the abundance of coral–
based niches (Garpe et al. 2006). This diversity in complexity means that a larger number of species
and a larger abundance of each reef fish type can exist in the same

Coral Bleaching In Hawaii
Hawaii may face its worst coral bleaching to date.
This Friday, the Department of Natural Resources announced that, as was forecast, coral reefs across
Hawaii from the northernmost spot in the Hawaiian Archipielago, Kure Atoll, all the way to the
island of Hawaii are already feeling the effects of coral bleaching.
Coral bleaching occurs when ocean temperatures rise above their accustomed range, causing coral to
expel the algae that they and creatures living in them feed from. It's called bleaching because as the
coral loses its algae, it also loses it's colour, turning a ghastly shade of white. Because of the high
ocean temperatures, this year's El Niño may well cause massive moral bleaching across Hawaii.
Coral bleaching has only swept through

How Long Is Coral Bleaching Of Coral Reefs?
Usually the first thing a person thinks of when someone talks about coral reefs is the Great Barrier
Reef or the movie "Finding Nemo" and how beautiful it is, with its vibrant corals and colorful fish
swimming about. Coral reefs are vital to the world. Even though they only cover .1% of the ocean
floor, they are home to 25% of all marine life. Home to many species of fish and acting as a nursery
for little fish and also provide protection until they are big enough to venture out and protect
themselves. It is a place that has a complex food chain. The coral reef also acts as a food resource
for higher food chain predators like sharks and whales. The quick decline of the coral reefs is
becoming an increasingly alarming situation. Coral reefs like the ones in the Caribbean are facing
collapse and perhaps extinction. A recent survey shows that only 8% of the Caribbean coral reefs are
showing live coral cover, compared to in the 1970s ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Less than 10% of the Caribbean reefs are showing live coral cover. (Harvey) Coral reefs can only
tolerate a narrow range of temperatures. If the water around them warms by just a couple degrees
and lasts more than a week, they are likely to bleach. There are a lot of causes of coral bleaching:
change in ocean temperature, overexposure to sunlight, runoff and pollution, and extreme low tides.
The main one is the rising ocean temperature. When there is a storm, runoff water could carry
pollutants and toxic to the ocean water, causing coral that lives off–shore to bleach. Shallow coral
reefs could be exposed to a lot of sunlight, causing them to bleach. And when there is low tide, coral
reefs are exposed to the air, causing them to bleach. Overall, coral is very fragile and they have not
mutated or evolved to improve this yet. Corals have a symbiotic relationship with the algae
zooxanthellae that live in their tissue. The algae is not the primary food source for them, but also
gives them their

Environmental Effects Of Coral Bleaching
Coral reefs are diverse and extensive underwater ecosystems that provide habitats for around one
quarter of the oceans species, an astoundingly high number considering they make up less than two
percent of the ocean floor. These reefs are held together by calcium carbonate, and the corals
themselves are living creatures with protective skeletons. However, these so called "rainforests of
the sea" are in danger. Coral bleaching, an event in which a general increase in water temperatures
leads to a reduction in the microscopic algae acting as a basis for the corals diet, is leading to the
fragmentation of once vast and stable coral reef systems. Reef bleaching mainly occurs due to
increases in carbon dioxide levels, which facilitate rising water temperatures and dangerous amounts
of ocean acidification, otherwise known as pH. As copious amounts of carbon dioxide are absorbed
by the ocean, CO2 reacts with the water to form carbonic acid, the substance which is having an
immensely adverse effect on coral reef systems. Severe or prolonged events of reef bleaching have
the capability to kill off entire coral colonies, leaving the corals and the species that inhabit them
vulnerable to other threats without much chance of survival or resilience. The carbonic acid released
into the water decimates a coral's ability to build a calcium carbonate skeleton, and worsening
acidification breaks down previously existing skeletons, which aided in structurally supporting the
reef. Above all else, growing carbon dioxide levels facilitate higher amounts of carbonic acid in
ocean waters and, in turn, leads to reef bleaching.
Steps must be taken to reverse or, at the very least, lessen the effects carbonic acid has on coral reef
systems, as it is negatively impacting corals, sea creatures they provide shelter to, and the
environment in general. The destruction of coral colonies due to changes in ocean acidification is
taking both an ecological and socio–economic toll. Bleached corals are exponentially more likely to
face a reduction in growth rates and reproductive capacity, as well as a higher susceptibility to
disease and increased mortality rates. Changes in the composition of coral communities occur due to
the death of

When looking at the word coral reef bleaching one might have a visual image of a red coral reef
graphic t–shirt which has ventured in the wash well over the normal limit. In reality coral reef
bleaching is when a coral reef expels the algae living in its tissues due to stress in the coral. The
stress in the coral can be caused by warmer water temperature, a change in water lighting, or a lack
or abundance of nutrients in the reef. At this point you are probably wondering what all this has to
due with the changing climate of the earth. The answer to that question will be answered later on in
the paper. Before going any farther I would like to mention (a very big word which I can not
pronounce) zooxanthellae. Zooxanthellae is the relation between ... Show more content on
Helpwriting.net ...
Recovery time varys often from reef to reef and can be as fast as full recovery in under two years or
as slow as no apparent recovery in as much as or more than twenty years. From my research
examples of coral reef recovery has been natural in all recovery cases and humans do not yet know
how to speed or increase the effectiveness of a coral reef's recovery. I feel inclined to mention that I
have found no attempts of a successful or unsuccessful human imposed recovery (which may or
may not be due to a lack of human attempts). However I must also mention that I did search for
human correction

Environmental Effects Of Coral Reef Bleaching
Coral Reefs have a huge role in our environment, even though they only make up less than one
percent of the oceans' ecosystems. They provide shelter for twenty–five percent of marine species,
protect shorelines, support fishing industries, provide money from tourism, and could help scientists
discover the next, big, medical breakthrough. They are so biodiverse, they are referred to as 'the
Tropical Rainforests of the Oceans'. Coral reefs are found in shallow circumtropical waters along the
shore of continents. Corals live in waters that have poor nutrition and they have certain tolerance
levels to water temperature, salinity, UV radiation, opacity, and nutrient quantities.
All these wonderful benefits of coral reefs are at risk from coral reef bleaching. Bleaching is bad for
the coral because the endosymbiotic algae have a crucial role in the survival of coral. They provide
energy in photosynthate. Bleaching is the lessening of zooxanthellate invertebrates. When the
zooxanthellae are expelled, the tissues turn white. It generally happens when water is too warm,
even though other things can provoke bleaching.
Climate change is thought to play a role in increased events of coral bleaching around the world. It
can lead to the extinction of many coral species. Climate change could also cause major reef tracts
destruction. Coral reef bleaching events have been increasing in the past twenty years worldwide.
Bleaching is caused by various human activities and variations in the

Argumentative Essay On Coral Bleaching
Coral reefs are found in shallow tropical waters along the shores of islands and continents. Coral
bleaching is a topic that gets left in the dust. Not many people really pay attention or show much
interest in it. Widespread bleaching, involving major coral reef regions and resulting in mass coral
mortality has raised concerns about linkage of the events to global phenomenons including global
warming or climate change and increased UV radiation from ozone depletion. Corals provide a lot
not just for us humans but for marine life as well. Marine Biology provides information about how
bleaching happens and how it affects the coral. Buchheims' article is full of logos and a few pathos
while the other source is full of ethos. In The Nature Conservancy's director Stephanie Wear
provides us with lots of professional opinions ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
The Nature Conservancy gives a background about coral bleaching, why it is so bad, why coral
bleaching happens, and what we can do as individuals and a community to help. Dr. James Kerry
from James Cook University (2017) explains that, "A temperature change of only one or two
degrees for three or four weeks is enough to push corals out of their comfort zones and they then
have more stress put upon them" (para. 30). This ethos argument is very effective. Doctor James
Cook gives a lot of input on coral bleaching that is very interesting. If coral bleaching isn't on your
radar yet, it will be soon. The coral reef provides homes to an abundant amount of marine life.
Bleaching could cause the extinction of many coral species. According to Stephanie Wear, The
Nature Conservancy's director of coral reef conservation (2017), "Recent steamy temperatures
indicate a rough year ahead for the world's coral reefs" (para. 1). About ninety–three percent of
climate change heat is absorbed by the ocean. One thing to understand is that corals have a very
small

Coral Bleaching Marine Environment
The main impact that the earth is having on the marine environment is climate change. Increasing
the oceans temperature by 0.7 degrees Celsius.
What is the Impact of Coral Bleaching?
Coral bleaching is one of the visual effect of climate change. Caused by the stress put on the coral
because of the temperature of the water becoming warmer. This major effect of climate change
could lead to the death of the Coral. This has been especially noticed on the Great Barrier Reef.
Only recently the earth has witnessed severe coral bleaching episodes all around the world.
What does stormy weather have to do with our oceans?
Scientist are beginning to believe that global warming has inflicted unpredictable weather.
Especially in tropical areas the heavier rainfall may result in physical damage to the coral reefs,
other coastal ecosystems and coastal communities.
How is climate change resulting in species moving to cooler places in the oceans? ... Show more
content on Helpwriting.net ...
Scientific studies have given evidence for this in the North Sea as fish have old further north into
deeper water in order to escape the warmer water. Other species for example penguins Irving on the
Antarctic Peninsula region may loose their homes as a result of the sea ice reducing as a result of
global warming. Not only the penguins have issues with the reduction of sea ice but walrus too.
How can these alterations of the marine environment effect the lifestyles of animals?
The change in temperatures of the marine environment can affect the life cycle and behaviours of
the marine species. As many of the species rely on the temperature change as a sign as reproduction.
This could also effect their success in breading. The result of climate change also has on effect of
how may male and female offsprings are had. Meaning there is an impact on the population of a
species.
How do rising sea levels effect the marine

What Is Coral Bleaching?
Known as the rainforest of the ocean, corals are beyond vital for our oceans and for our Earth as a
whole. Corals supply a variety of sea life species with food, shelter, and protection which affect our
ecosystem including humans. However, these vital creatures are being negatively affected by natural
and human caused disasters. These disasters include, temperature and acidity fluctuations, run off,
known as pollution, storms, and overfishing. These disasters are what cause coral bleaching. The
extent of coral bleaching is only increasing and we must preserve corals before they become extinct.
However, the coral that has already been bleached by these disasters are not completely hopeless.
There is a possibility to reverse coral bleaching if watched and treated carefully. Although having a
plant like appearance, corals are marine invertebrates in the class Anthozoa of the phylum Cnidaria.
There are ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
These animals live in compact colonies of many identical individual polyps which have soft–bodies.
At their base is a hard, protective limestone skeleton composed of calcium carbonate. The reef
begins when a polyp attaches itself to a rock on the sea floor, then divides, or buds into thousands of
clones (National Geographic). The skeletal structure of hard corals are normally white, but due to
zooxanthellae algae which reside within the soft tissues of corals, corals obtain color. The most
prolific corals live above 90 feet, close to the surface in tropical waters where the sun's rays can
reach the algae, noted by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). During the
day the zooxanthellae, also known as algae, photosynthesize. It is a mutualistic relationship between
coral and algae. The algae benefits from photosynthesis because the nitrogen, phosphorous, and
carbon dioxide which is respired from the coral polyp is needed to grow. The coral itself benefits
from the energy the algae provides. By night the polyps can feed

Coral Bleaching Essay
Background: I attended the "Global warming and the mass bleaching of corals" speech on the 31st
March. The lecture presented the current situation coral of the Great Barrier Reef, the influences of
global warming on recurrent coral bleaching and some solutions of preventing the present alarming
rates of coral 'die off' associated with severe and recurrent coral bleaching.
Professor Terry Hughe is Director of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef, who researches
the linkages between coral reef ecosystems and people. He studied in coral bleaching for 51 weeks
last year, including examining water quality, crown of thorns starfish damage and fishing pressure in
Australia. He provides key discoveries in coral bleaching research.
Information ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Climate change has posed a serious threat to large scales of coral reefs, three extreme heatwaves
damaged the coral reefs of the Great Barrier Reef in 1988, 2002 and 2016.Professor Terry Hughes,
director of corals reef study, claimed that his team sent 100 people underwater last year to conduct
research and found coral bleaching relate tightly to where the hot water is. The rise in water
temperature is also due to climate change. A significant number of corals will die over the coming
years if we don't take any measures to slow down global warming and protect corals.
Professor Terry stated the current and future impact of climate change on coral bleaching. Those
corals that are lightly bleached will more than likely regain their original colour in the next few
months, and there won't be any severe mortality. However, those corals have been exposed to very
high temperatures, they would deteriorate and die over the next years. "The situation is worse than
imagined", according to Terry Hughes, quoting statistics that clearly showed that the sea water
temperature is rising, the coral of the Great Barrier Reef has been degraded a lot since 1988 and has
been continuously degraded due to the hot

Coral Bleaching And Global Cheating
"In 1998, a massive underwater heat wave killed 18% of corals around the world in the first global
bleaching event. This year's coral bleaching is expected to impact 28% of the world's coral reefs,
decimating over 4,630 square miles (12,000 square kilometres) of reefs by 2016. Coral reefs support
estimates 25%, of all marine species, from a bio diversity perspective, losing them would be the
equivalent of losing our planets tropical rainforests. As scientists concluded earlier this year, a sixth
mass extinction event is definitely upon us. And right now, the warm salty front lines are looking
especially grim" (www.gizmodo.com) The issue of coral bleaching is becoming more and more
apparent in today's society as global climate change becomes a bigger issue. It is important that
people are aware of the threats that losing the world's coral reefs will pose.
Coral reefs are believed to ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
The issue that this poses for coral is the speed in which the oceans are rising. Because of the coral's
long life span they simply do not have the capacity to evolve a tolerance to these dramatically
changed conditions in time. When the sea surface temperature is elevated the corals react to the
stress by expelling their symbiotic zooxanthellae, which results in coral bleaching. If the bleaching
is mild or short–term, corals can recover as algae recolonize, but if the bleaching lasts too long,
corals starve to death.
A new study also shows that ocean acidification severely deviates coral reef ecosystems
biodiversity. This results in the elimination of significant species needed for healthy reef formation.
Katherina Fabricus, a scientist at the Australian Institute of Marine Science stated that "the decline
of the structurally complex corals means the reef will be much simpler and there will be less habitat
for the hundreds of thousands of species we associate with today's coral

Known for its color of various aquatic species, its diversity and liveliness of its residents, coral reefs
are well known and popular among many around the world. But the increase in these admirers has
come with a price. The colorful reefs have turned white as the chemical composition of the ocean
and the ocean's temperature changes as a result of climate change (Anthony 2009). Although many
claim that climate change is naturally occurring, the extent and rapidity in which it is occurring is
posing a great threat to many factors in earth, including the coral reefs. Formally known as coral
bleaching, this phenomenon "is a process whereby the coral colonies lose their color, either due to
the loss of pigments by microscopic algae living in symbiosis with their host organisms, or because
these zooxanthellae have been expelled." (Coral Bleaching 2008) From the Great Barrier Reef to the
Caribbean, coral reefs all over the world are in great danger, and can soon be an ecosystem of the
past. As shown in Figure 1 (SEOS), in an eight–year span, the amount of coral bleaching around the
world has increased. Many studies conducted by international and national groups have concluded
that coral bleaching is occurring rapidly, and if continued, can lead to reduced growth rates and
reproductive capacity in bleached corals, changes in overall coral composition affects the livelihood
of a variety of fish and invertebrates because they rely heavily on it for food, shelter, and other basic

The Bleaching Of Coral Reefs
Coral reefs are extremely diverse and important to sea life. They cover about 0.2% of the ocean
floor yet more than 25% of the marine life finds itself home within the coral reefs. Not only do coral
reefs provide shelter for sea life, they also protect shorelines from erosion. In this case, coral reefs
do not just serve the ocean but they serve human life as well. Rainforests are number one when it
comes to their diversity of animals and species, and coral reefs are second in diversity.
Unfortunately, human life has a negative impact on coral reefs at times. Things like pollution and
global warming are essentially wiping out coral reefs which is causing coral bleaching. Because
they are so important to sea and human life it is necessary that ... Show more content on
Helpwriting.net ...
Without them, our shorelines would be eroded and storms would cause great devastation. Sea
animals and fish would not have a place to seek shelter, comfort, or nutrition. So, not only do they
look like beautiful underwater gardens, but they bring protection to both fish and human life. No
matter how far into the ocean coral reefs are located, it is important that humans understand how
significant and important they are to our lives, our sea life and our oceans. Just because we do not
directly see the devastation does not mean that it is not occurring. Humans must make a positive
impact to the world in order to help salvage and sustain the coral reefs before it is too late.

Corals are these beautiful marine invertebrate animals that are composed of calcium carbonate. They
can be found in shallow warm tropical waters along the shores of some islands. Coral reefs are good
for our ecosystem because they help remove carbon dioxide from our air. They are also important to
our marine ecosystem because they provide protection for other marine organisms and other marine
ecosystems. They are also known to protect the coastlines from tropical storms and tsunami. Corals
also have a symbiotic relationship with single–cell algae called zooxanthellae. The corals provide
protection and food for the algae and in return, the algae provide food for the corals through
photosynthesis. The algae are also responsible for giving the corals their bright colors.
However coral reefs are in endangered by several threats. One of the biggest has been coral
bleaching. The corals are becoming stress and turning this pale white color (known as bleaching)
due to the temperatures of the water increasing. (C. Mark 2010). It has been studied that the
bleaching is caused by the corals expelling the ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
The temperature of the water was measured by an NOAA Coral Reef Watch, which provides
satellite sea surface temperature (C. Mark 2010). The NOAA showed an increase in thermal stress in
2005 during a 12–week period exceeding an increase of 16 degrees Celsius (C. Mark 2010).
According to this study, about 80 % of corals were bleached and over 40 % died at many
locations(C. Mark 2010). This was one of the worst bleaching events ever recorded. It has been
examined that coral reefs can live in temperatures of 24– 51 degrees Celsius depending on the
location (T.P Hughes 2003). Corals tend to bleach when they experience temperature well over 10
degrees Celsius (T.P Hughes

Coral Bleaching And Its Impact On Coral Reef Ecosystems
Abstract
This paper reviews what we currently know about coral bleaching and its impact on coral reef
ecosystems. It analyses the scientific evidence linking coral bleaching to climate change and other
anthropogenic activities. It also focuses on the importance of ecosystem services provided by coral
reefs, and the socio–economic and environmental impacts of coral bleaching. The paper concludes
with a set of recommendations and mitigation strategies to slow down the rate of coral bleaching,
thus allowing coral reefs to adapt and develop resilience in the face of climate change.
Introduction
a. Coral Reefs
All corals are composed of thousands of individual animals called polyps. Each polyp has a mouth,
which is the opening of its ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
(Andrew, Glynn, & Riegl, 2008) This loss of zooxanthellae or the reduction in their pigment
concentration from the host is referred to as coral bleaching. Bleaching turns the host coral white, as
the skeleton becomes visible through the coral's transparent tissue. Bleached corals can survive
without their counterparts for weeks or months. However, as this symbiosis is vital for reef building,
the absence of it significantly reduces coral growth and reproductive ability, eventually leading to
reef mortality. (Knowlton, 2001)
Causes of Coral Bleaching
Coral reefs have suffered degradation due to anthropogenic activities for decades. The direct and
indirect effects of overfishing and pollution from agriculture and land development have been the
major drivers of coral reef decline over the past two centuries. More importantly, these threats to
coral reefs have been compounded and exacerbated by superimposed impacts of global climate
change, such as rising sea temperature and level, and increased ocean acidification. (T. P. Hughes,
2003)
Coral reefs are found in coastal tropical environments, typically between latitudes 25oS and 25oN,
and can tolerate water temperatures ranging from 18oC to 30oC. (Hoegh–Guldberg O. , 1999) Most
literature reviewed highlights elevated SST, particularly during repeated ENSO events, as the most
common cause of mass coral bleaching episodes. These stressed, overheated corals expel most of
their

Why Mass Coral Bleaching
According to Frederick et al. climate change is: "A change in the state of the climate that can be
identified by changes in the mean and/or variability of its properties, and that persists for an
extended period, typically decades or longer" (Frederick, O'Connor & Kuratko, 2013, p. 65).
Climate change is one topic with relevance for sustainability. Ecotourism is one of many activities
that suffer from the consequences of climate change. And ecosystems such as coral reefs and
freshwater coastlands are truly exposed to climate change (Frederick et al, 2013, p. 66). Adjustments
in the sea level like rising tides and temperature variations have been implicated in the death of coral
reefs in GBR (Weaver, 2008, p. 204).
According to Brodie: "Climate ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
When the water becomes polluted by different substances such as, sediment, nutrients and
pesticides, it reflects back on the quality of the water. These minerals often comes from agricultural
land and eventually enter the reef through water catchment areas (Reef Water Quality Protection
Plan, 2013). Further, the contamination from too much sedimentation or high nutrient levels can
impact the coral reefs and makes them vulnerable for damage, and the increased level of
sedimentation and nutrient can be provoked by tourism development (Newsome et al, 2002, p.

Environmental Impact On Coral Bleaching
The Great Barrier Reef is on the brink of dying, and humans are to blame. Corals are the center of
marine ecosystems as they provide food and shelter for animals as well as a source of income for
Australia, in terms of tourism and fishing. However, as said by NASA research scientist Liane
Guild, "Coral reefs are considered 'canaries of the oceans,' acting as an early warning system for
marine ecosystems" . If the corals die off then everything in the ocean will follow. Of course
weather is unpredictable and is a big part of why coral bleaching has occurred, but humans have also
had a negative impact on them. There are currently Catholic movements aimed at saving the reef,
and Pope Francis mentions the gravity of this situation in his recent encyclical. That being said, if
we as a human race were told about coral bleaching by governments and were educated about it in
school then global warming and weather wouldn't have affected it as much as it has.
Government
In Canada the government is open about the environment. During the most recent election Justin
trudeau spoke about his plans to "take action on climate change" and address other environmental
concerns. These actions include increasing the amount of protected coastal areas and investing in
clean technologies, but his goal wasn't to provide more jobs it was to better the environment.
However, during the 2016 election in Australia the candidates didn't discuss coral bleaching and if
they talked about the Great Barrier

The Dangers Of Coral Reef Bleaching
Coral Reef Bleaching
Coral Reefs have a huge role in our environment, even though they only make up less than one
percent of the oceans' ecosystems. They provide shelter for twenty–five percent of marine species,
protect shorelines, support fishing industries, provide money from tourism, and could help scientists
discover the next, big, medical breakthrough(Oceans and Coasts). Coral reefs are so biodiverse, they
are referred to as 'the Tropical Rainforests of the Oceans'. These diverse ecosystems are found in
shallow circumtropical waters along the shore of continents. Corals thrive in waters that have poor
nutrition and they have certain tolerance levels of water temperature, salinity, UV radiation, opacity,
and nutrient quantities. (Buchheim) All these wonderful benefits of coral reefs are at risk from coral
reef bleaching. Coral reef bleaching is the lessening of zooxanthellate invertebrates. Bleaching is
bad for the coral because the endosymbiotic algae has a crucial role in the survival of coral.
Zooxanthellae provide energy in photosynthate. When zooxanthellae are expelled, the tissues turn
white. It generally occurs when water is too warm, even though other things can provoke bleaching.
Bleaching events have been increasing in the past twenty years worldwide. (Buchheim) Bleaching is
caused by various human activities and variations in the reefs' environment like the temperature of
the water, solar irradiance, sedimentation, subaerial exposure, freshwater dilution,

Coral reefs have one of the highest biodiversity of animals in one ecosystem than any others on the
entire planet. Coral reefs are colorful habitats in the ocean, some of which are not too far from the
shore. They are made from skeletons of calcium carbonate and animals, which make a rocky
substance known as coral. Coral reefs are a home to many different types of creatures that live under
the sea, some are unknown to a majority of the human species. "Coral reefs are sometimes referred
to as the 'rainforest of the sea' because they teem with life and abound in diversity" (Agardy). Sadly,
due to the many factors of global warming, these natural treasures are dying from what is called
"bleaching". Coral bleaching happens from the warming temperature ... Show more content on
Helpwriting.net ...
Humans cause many of the signs that global warming is occurring daily towards different parts of
the world. Climate change is the main factor towards the rising sea levels, the temperature of the
water, and coral bleaching. "The 2014 reports of the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on
Climate Change describe coral reefs as the most vulnerable marine ecosystem on Earth, stressing
that they have very limited capacity to adapt to rising water temperatures and acidification"
(Dormer). Many of the coral reefs and the sea creatures that habitat there cannot adapt to the
temperature of the water, so many of the creatures will migrate somewhere more suitable. Fish are
an important detail towards coral reefs due to the fact that they protect them from algae and other
bacteria that can harm the rocky substance. By changing the commonwealth of humans, the money
can be spent to establish more ways to support the environment instead of harming it by making
things the society does not need in order to live life. The government could fund more money to
environment helping organizations, and ending the pessimistic ideas that the society believes in.
Commonwealth is an easy solution that can be completed only if humans realizes how much that
their precious planet is being harmed by their

What Is Coral Bleaching
Coral bleaching is a natural, but harmful phenomenon. As you read this report on coral bleaching,
you will understand how and why this can and is harming the ecosystem and our lives. Something
you should know about coral bleaching is that it has and is happening as you are reading this. The
term coral bleaching doesn't sound that important and harmful, but it is and here is why.
Coral Bleaching is the cause of the warming temperatures in the oceans. Though many think that
this is a good thing they are 100% wrong. Coral bleaching is something that happens every day. The
loss of color of the coral is the release of the algae (zooxanthellae) that lives and relies on the coral.
Without the algae on the coral, it becomes extremely vulnerable

One of the world's largest living structure, the Great Barrier Reef is biologically rich and diverse and
is Australia's most valued and remarkable environmental resources (Australian government). As the
world's most comprehensive coral reef ecosystem, the Great Barrier Reef is a site of unparalleled
natural beauty on the north–east coast of Australia (unesco).
Covering over 348,000 square kilometres, the reef is home to the most comprehensive coral
ecosystem on the planet and is so large it can actually be observed from space (Australian
government). Whilst predominantly being known for its large colourful reefs, is provides a home to
a diverse array of marine creatures including 1625 different species of fish, around 600 types of hard
and soft corals, 100 species of jellyfish, over 3,000 molluscs, 500 species of worms, 215 bird
species, thousands of different sponges and crustaceans and more than 30 species of mammals,
including the endangered species the dugong.
The Great ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Coral bleaching is the process of ejecting most or all of endosymbiotic zooxanthellae in a stress
response to fluctuations in corals external environment (4 360 link). In extreme case which are
happening at a more regular occurrence, the bleaching response is disastrous for the coral host as
well as the entire reefscapes for the Great Barrier Reef (4 360 link).
As a long term consequence of global warming it's predicted that the regularity, strength and damage
instigated by tropical cyclones will escalate with the long–term elevation of seawater temperatures
(3 360link). Due to these increased changes in the frequency and intensity of river flooding off into
the marine catchment it is expected to increase coral mortality, and in particular during periods of
amplified occurrences of coral bleaching and seawater

Coral Reef Bleaching is when water is too warm, coral will expel the algae living in their tissue
causing the coral to turn completely white. Some things that causes coral reef bleaching is Solar
Irradiance, Subaerial Exposure, Freshwater Dilution, Xenobiotics . Solar Irradiance Mostly happens
in the summer months. Solar radiation has a role in bleaching. Subaerial Exposure happens when
extreme low tides can potentially induce bleaching. Freshwater Dilution causes coral bleaching
when a storm–generated precipitation and runoff. Xenobiotics is zooxanthellae loss occurs during
exposure of coral to elevated concentration of various chemicals contaminants. Zooxanthellae is a
yellowish–brown symbiotic dinoflagellate present in large numbers in the cytoplasm of many
marine invertebrates. One effect is , If the coral reef dies off the fish that depends on it ends up
dying off with the coral. As the earth's atmosphere gets hotter, the water around the coral reef is also
getting hotter with it. In the past 100 years the sea temperature has grown 1 degree celsius and it is
now currently growing to 1–2 degree celsius every century. The fish around the coral reef feeds up
to 30 to 50 million people a year. Without coral the carbon monoxide could not be controlled. Coral
bleaching can cause the growth rate be longer ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Conserve water the less water you use, the less runoff and wastewater that will pollute the air.
Dispose of your trash property don't leave unwanted fishing line or nets in the water or on land.
Plant a tree that will help reduce the runoff into the ocean. Practice diving and snorkeling make sure
when you are doing these things do not touch the reef or that will cause them to die. If you see any
illegal dumping you should contact some. If you ever see trash in the water make sure you pick it up
so fish and the coral can't get caught in it. Make sure when you are riding in boat not to anchor on to
the

Coral Bleaching: A White Death Of The Ocean
A White Death of the Ocean Whenever someone hear about bleaching, they automatically think
about this strong potent chemical used for clothing to make it stain–free, the pungent smell when
they open the door to a pool, or when someone plans on dyeing their hair to a lighter color.
Bleaching is very useful for humans, but is it good for the environment? Has anyone heard of coral
bleaching? Coral bleaching has nothing to do with chemicals at all, in fact it is called coral
bleaching because when coral is bleached, it becomes white like when a t–shirt is bleached (though
too much bleach can eat a hole). Coral bleaching has been a problem these past few years on the
East coast of Australia's Great Barrier Reef. It has been declining in its beautiful ... Show more
content on Helpwriting.net ...
This heading escalates the importance of the coral reef and provides a conclusion that saving the
coral reef requires the halt to global warming, but then Fox provides many facts in the article from
many scientific sources that proves nothing could be done to stop global warming. Fox says,
"Scientists are quick to note that local protection of reefs can help damaged coral recover from the
stress of rising ocean temperatures. But the new research shows that such efforts are ultimately futile
when it comes to stopping bleaching in the first place" (FOX News). This shows that Fox supports
the new research and does not believe that it is possible to stop the rising temperatures. Fox news
provided more background information than MSNBC does and the information was surprisingly
relevant and equivalent to CNN. FOX provided some details, but not enough to beat

Coral Bleaching Essay
Coral Bleaching
Coral reefs are the most biodiverse ecosystem on the planet. There are more than 25,000 known
species of organisms and countless others that have yet to be identified (Helvarg, 2000). Reefs thrive
on the shallow edge of tropical seas, most often on the eastern edge of continents along warm water
currents that brush the coasts. Reefs cannot live in cold waters and are limited by ocean depth and
available sunlight. Coral is the foundation of the reef community, providing a three–dimensional
structure where thousands of species of vertebrates and invertebrates live and feed. Some species of
coral are hard, while others soft. Some are branched, yet others are compact and rounded. Coral is
made up of large ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Coral bleaching is normally characterized by the expulsion of the zooxanthellae algae, loss of algal
pigmentation, or both. Coral bleaching events have had serious effects on corals and reefs
worldwide. What is crucial to the understanding of zooxanthellae expulsion and bleaching is how
the density of zooxanthellae within the coral is changing, if at all, under the prevailing range of
environmental conditions (Gates and Edmunds, 1999). Over the last twenty years, there has been a
dramatic increase in both the frequency and intensity of coral bleaching events. Sixty major
bleaching events have been reported between 1960 and 1979, whereas only nine were reported prior
to 1979 (Huppert and Stone, 1998). Given the dependence of the coral on this symbiotic algae, it is
important to determine the cause of these bleaching events. According to Helvarg (2000, p.12):
"Coral reefs... are fragile structures living within a narrow range of temperature, clarity, salinity and
chemistry. Even a slight increase in ocean temperature, or increased CO2... can cause stresses such
as bleaching... These stresses slow the rate of growth of the corrals... With some 60 percent of the
world's coral reefs now losing productivity, it's becoming a global crisis and a scientific mystery."
Scientists have been trying to solve this "scientific mystery" by evaluating each environmental
condition

The Effects Of Coral Bleaching On Coral Reefs
Coral reefs are unique and diverse underwater marine ecosystems that are found in many parts of the
world. Today these tropical reefs suffer a great deal of environmental stresses and are projected to
decline over the next century due to global warming. In Grottoli's article: The cumulative impact of
annual coral bleaching can turn some coral species winners into losers, she elaborates on the effects
of annual bleaching on three species of coral. Grottoli took three species of coral such as O.
Faveolata, P.asreoides P.divaricata and exposed the treatment groups to high temperatures of 31.5 °C
for 15 days while control groups remained at a normal temperature of 30.6 °C for the same amount
of days. After treatment species were then weighed and ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Such high level of energy reserve is a good indication of over all health and ability to acclimate to
harsh environments. An endosymbiont level is a measurement of other beneficial cells that lives on
the coral and forms a symbiotic relationship. Researchers recorded their results and then repeated
the experiment on the same corals a year later to see the effects of repeated high temperatures as a
model for annual coral bleaching as a result of global warming. Upon completion of the experiment
Grottoli and her team of researchers noted, "yearly bleaching can dramatically alter the thermal
tolerance of corals" (Grottoli's, 2014). Interestingly enough, while the majority of the species
decreased in all variables compared to controls, P.divaricata increased in energy reserves at about
20–45% higher than controls after the second treatment. This increase in total energy reserve lead to
a reduction in the susceptibility to coral bleaching for that species. Thus, suggests that this species of
coral can adapt to high temperatures after the first event of bleaching occurs. Conversely, due to its
low energy reserves and its low potential to increase endosymbiont levels, P.asreoides is not likely
acclimatize to higher temperatures thus resulting in low abundance of the species in future

They are home to a quarter of all marine species, yet occupy only 0.2% of the ocean. Coral reefs
thrive in warm, shallow waters that provide shelter for many different forms of bacteria, fungi,
seaweeds, reptiles, mammals, crustaceans and over 4,000 species of fish. According to the ecologist
Renee Cho, "The reefs hold an annual global economic value of $375 billion, providing food and
resources for over 500 million people in 94 countries and territories" (Cho). However, the reefs are
in a detrimental crisis that could end in chaos. Coral bleaching is occurring around the world. Heat
stress from global warming triggers the symbiotic relationship between polyps and zooxanthellae to
collapse. This results in the expel of photosynthetic algae, leaving them bleached white. The coral
reefs are in great danger and humanity is the one to blame. The best way to save what is left of the
reefs is to reduce our man–made contributions to global warming and reconstruct new reefs before it
is too late.
Between 1979 and 1990, more than sixty episodes of coral bleaching have occurred around the
world due to human impact. Since then, even more events have taken place because of water
temperatures rising. Within just the Pacific Ocean the Great Barrier Reef has been affected by coral
bleaching the most severely, but Hawaii and Japan have also been affected. Australian scientists
informed CNN that, "More than two–thirds of the coral in Australia's Great Barrier Reef is
experiencing shocking

Coral Bleaching The Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef is Australia's natural gifts. The Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest coral
reef. The Reef is located off the coast of Queensland. It is the largest living thing on Earth and even
visible from outer space. The area is 348,000 km² and considered a one of the world's heritage sites.
Thousands of reefs and hundreds of islands made of over 600 types of hard and soft coral. It's home
to countless species of colourful fish, molluscs and marine animals (starfish, dolphins, turtles etc.).
The Great Barrier Reef is a large tourist attraction of Australia and is important to some cultures
such as aboriginals. It reaches from Torres Strait to the north of Lady Elliot Island. The Australian
and Queensland governments are ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
As global warming continues, corals will not be able to keep up with increasing ocean temperatures.
Coral bleaching has led to increase of un–healthy reefs. The raising of sea temperatures slows down
coral growth and loss of coral. Coral bleaching is expected to occur more often and worse in the
future, making it difficult for corals to recover. Some coral types, such as staghorn corals, are really
sensitive to bleaching, and these will be the most affected. Corals that deal with the sea temperatures
better will dominate the Great Barrier Reef. Some reefs rely on the animals to help control coral
bleaching; climate change has effect some marine animals such as some of the fish of the Great
Barrier Reef. The preferred temperature range leads them to find a new habitat. Climate change will
also affect the population and sea turtle's e habitat. Storms and creatures that eat through limestone
which wear down reefs. The Great Barrier Reef has adapted to cope with the impacts of cyclones
and severe storms. However, many scientists predict that intense cyclones (such as cyclone Hamish
and cyclone Yasi) will occur more often due to climate change. Reef recovery from severe storms is
slow, because fewer corals survive to help affected

Coral Reefs And Bleaching Phenomenon Essay
Imagine yourself observing one of the most diverse ecosystems on earth. Thousands of species of
plants and animals provide a dizzying array of color and motion. Massive structures provide a
canopy that shelters hundreds of exotic species in a myriad of microclimates. As land–based
observers, we almost automatically assume that this is a description of the rich ecosystem of a
tropical rainforest. However, if we take ourselves off the safety of dry land and immerse ourselves in
the ocean, we will find an equally dynamic environment in the depths of our world's coral reefs. As
a Zoology major, I quickly decided to explore this biological component of the ocean environment.
In the following paper, I will provide a general overview of coral ... Show more content on
Helpwriting.net ...
Sometimes growing from a single polyp, a colony of thousands of similar polyps is soon established
through sexual and asexual reproduction. The sheer vastness of a coral reef provides many other
benefits. Coral reefs are crucial land builders in tropical areas, forming islands and altering
continental shorelines. Coastlines are also protected from erosion as the reefs dampen harsh
incoming waves. This is vital to maintaining the white sandy beaches that drive the tourist motivated
economies in tropical regions. An example of the value of coral reefs in this regard is illustrated by
Jon Luoma in his article "Reef Madness". Luoma explains that after a land–reclamation project that
destroyed a reef in the Maldives, the government had to spend more than $12 million to build an
artificial seawall that served the same purpose(24).
As with all diverse ecosystems, the coral reef must maintain a stable environment. Any changes in
the physical ocean components can upset the balance of this ecosystem. Temperature, water depth,
salinity, wave action, and turbidity all effect the growth of coral reefs. According to biologist Clive
Wilkinson of the Australian Institute of Marine Science, it is humans who have caused the death of
5–10% of the world's living coral reefs (Wilkinson 1987). One direct cause of coral depletion is
overfishing. The overfishing of herbivores, which normally consume algae, can cause an explosion

Coral Bleaching
Coral Bleaching
Abstract
Coral reefs have been called the rainforests of the ocean and are one of the most diverse and
important ecosystems on the planet. This paper will explore how global warming has effected these
fragile ecosystems. It will focus on the impact of increasing ocean temperatures on coral reefs.
Coral Reefs
Coral reefs exist globally from 30N to 30S latitude and have existed in some form on Earth for over
200 million years. Over 2500 species of coral have been identified 1000 of which are reef building
hard coral. Reefs are actually limestone structures produced by small animals called coral polyps.
These polyps contain unicellular plants (algae) called zooxanthellae in their tissue. They have a
symbiotic ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
As more of the sun's energy is retained by increasing greenhouse gases, the earth's oceans are
heating up. This can be seen by an increase in average water temperature and warm water anomalies
(water temperature over the average).
Coral Bleaching
Coral bleaching occurs when coral polyps are stressed. One form of stress on the coral is an increase
in temperature. Often a one degree Celsius elevation in the monthly mean maximum temperature is
enough to cause bleaching. Bleaching is the process of the coral polyps expelling the zooxanthallae.
The polyps are left without any pigmentation and appear nearly transparent. All that can be seen is
the white limestone skeleton. Corals normally recover from this bleaching unless high ocean
temperatures persist for too long a period or become too warm to permit recovery.
"The bleaching events reported prior to the 1980's were generally attributed to localized phenomena
such as major storm events, sever tidal exposures, sedimentation, rapid salinity changes, pollution or
thermal shock. The events since 1980 have not been so easily explained. Numerous laboratory
studies have shown a direct relationship between bleaching and water temperature
stress"..."Normally, he said (Dr. Suraphol), it would take at least 2–3 years for the bleached corals to
start to recover." (ReefPage)

"if the temperature increase of one or two degrees Celsius, predicted by the Intergovernmental

Coral Bleaching Research Papers
There exists a diverse ecosystem that many important sea creatures rely on and live in within the
tropical oceans near Earth's equator. Coral reefs support the oceans widest biodiverse populations
and have extremely important jobs. The Smithsonian National Museum's website (a fantastic
resource for ocean information) remarks that perhaps one fourth of all species living in the ocean
depend on reefs for food and shelter. They also are very important for those of us who live in the
surface, as well; The Smithsonian also lists that the value of coral reefs has been estimated to be
nearly 30 billion dollars and possibly 150+ billion dollars every year, due to the fact that coral reefs
provide food and protection, jobs, medicines, and so much more! ... Show more content on
Helpwriting.net ...
Too much or too little light can also stress corals, causing them to be bleached according to The
Ocean Portal Team. If coral reefs do not get the correct nutrients they require, then that will cause
bleaching as well, making it clear that it is important how we treat our reefs and with what we
subject them to.
Coral reef bleaching isn't just bad for the coral reefs themselves, either. Bleaching can and will
affect the rest of the environment in the ocean, from the ecosystems that directly rely on it all the
way down the food chain. So many species rely on coral reefs in their lifespan, it affects their food,
homes, and habitats. The coral–reef–dependant and directly at risk species face higher chances of
diseases and an increase in death rates. Many risk endangerment because of coral reef bleaching
(aside from a number of other threats that ocean life face).
Global warming has a plethora of negative effects on the planet, both on the surface and in the ocean
as well. But one of the most dooming risks has to be the act of bleaching coral reefs, because of the
important responsibilites our reefs home. Coral reefs are the most

Coral Bleaching Issues In Overfishing
1. Policy Description
Introduction
Worldwide we are facing an epidemic of large–scale Coral Reefs bleaching themselves white.
Although white coral is not dead it is likely to die shortly after bleaching. The main problem is
global warming, this causes overfishing, pollution and rising ocean temperatures with more acidity.
Global warming is an issue that affects our planet, especially in the ocean. This problem has also an
economic and political impact because "If the reefs vanished, experts say, hunger, poverty and
political instability could ensue."
In 1980, NOAA's marine biologist started noticing the coral bleaching. There has been three
important coral reef bleaching events in the history. The first global bleaching event "El Niño" was
in 1998, it was a "huge underwater heatwave killed 16% of the corals on reefs around the world" .
The second bleaching event was in 2010 and was called La Niña. This event affected especially
areas near Palau and Micronesia in the Pacific. In October of 2015, NOAA announced the third
global bleaching event in which has already become the longest event recorded, affecting coral reefs
for consecutive years.
Main reasons of coral bleaching:
Change in ocean Temperature: increased ocean temperature drastically caused by climate change is
the leading cause of coral bleaching.
Runoff and Pollution: Storm generated precipitation can rapidly dilute ocean water and runoff can
carry pollution bleaching near–shores corals.
Overexposure to

The Causes Of Coral Reef Bleaching
Coral Reef Bleaching: When water is too warm, coral expels the algae (zooxanthellae) living in their
tissues causing it to turn white. Not all bleaching is caused by warm–water stress. Cold–stress is also
believed to cause bleaching.
Endosymbiotic algae have a crucial role in coral survival. They provide an energy source in
photosynthate.
Endosymbiotic: Symbiotic relationship where one of the organisms live inside the other.
Photosynthate: A substance made by photosynthesis.
Bleaching is the paling of zooxanthellate invertebrates.
Caused by various human activities and variations in the reefs' environment such as temperature of
the water, solar irradiance, sedimentation, etc.
Coral Reef bleaching events have increased in the past 20 years in frequency and extent worldwide.
It is thought that worldwide climate change could play a role in the increased amount in coral reefs
bleaching.
Climate change could also cause major reef tracts destruction
Climate change can lead to the extinction of many coral species
Where are they found?––found in shallow circumtropical waters along the shore of continents.
The reef substrate is primarily made up of calcium carbonate from both living and dead scleractinian
corals.
Many other invertebrates, vertebrates, and plants live in close association to the scleractinian corals.
Recycling allows coral reefs to have an extremely high productivity and biodiversity, they are
referred to as 'the Tropical Rainforests of the Oceans'.
Corals live

The researchers from the Australian universities has identified genes that allow some algae living in
corals to tolerate higher ocean temperatures than others. The problem of coral bleaching is becoming
more urgent throughout the world, so Australian scientists decided to study it on a genetical level.
The genes could act as markers to understand the risk of coral bleaching in different areas of tropical
reefs including the Great Barrier Reef.
According to the latest research of scientist team led by the University of New South Wales
(UNSW), tropical corals cannot survive without the Symbiodinium algae that live inside them.
These photosynthetic organisms supply the corals with all their food, more than 90 percent. UNSW
specialists say that increased water temperatures stress the algae, provoking them to produce an
excess of toxic substances, which called reactive oxygen species. As a result of intoxication, damage
both the algae and the corals. ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
That's very bad for marine ecology and size of Great Barrier Reef, notes student Rachel Levin. On a
genetical level, there have some reactions too. "We found they can switch on genes to produce
proteins that neutralize the toxic chemicals," explains Levin, whose article on coral bleaching was
published in the Molecular Biology and Evolution.
Coral bleaching research was led by the UNSW Professor Peter Steinberg, Director of the Sydney
Institute of Marine Science, and Professor Madeleine van Oppen of the Australian Institute of
Marine Science and the University of Melbourne. Their heat–stress experiment conducted in the
laboratory, showed that tiny algae have more genes than humans do. That's why the algal genes are
able to activate or de–activate needed reaction on the

Causes Of Coral Reef Bleaching

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