GEOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Change in ocean temperature Increased ocean temperature 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 pollutants-these can bleach near-shore corals.

Detailed explanation-2: -The leading cause of coral bleaching is climate change. A warming planet means a warming ocean, and a change in water temperature-as little as 2 degrees Fahrenheit-can cause coral to drive out algae. Coral may bleach for other reasons, like extremely low tides, pollution, or too much sunlight.

Detailed explanation-3: -Climate change leads to: A warming ocean: causes thermal stress that contributes to coral bleaching and infectious disease. Sea level rise: may lead to increases in sedimentation for reefs located near land-based sources of sediment. Sedimentation runoff can lead to the smothering of coral.

Detailed explanation-4: -Coral reef growth depends on the net accumulation of calcium carbonate, which is affected by the saturation state of calcium carbonate in surface waters. Kleypas and colleagues (56) argue that by 2100, increased levels of carbon dioxide might cause calcification to decrease by 17–35% relative to preindustrial levels.

Detailed explanation-5: -Ocean Acidification As oceans absorb carbon dioxide (CO2), they become more acidic. This affects the ability of reef-building corals to grow their skeletons and form the foundation for coral reefs. Weaker skeletons also make corals more vulnerable to disease and destruction by storms.