Most coral reefs can only handle temperature as high as 29 degrees Celsius. Nevertheless, recent temperatures of sea water has been going over 29 degrees. If the temperatures goes higher than 29 degrees, the coral release the algae living in their tissue. The name of this process is called "bleaching" because it makes the coral turn white. But more importantly, this increases the chance they will get diseases and die. Corals and the algae that live in them need each other to remain healthy.
Coral reefs have been in danger for many years. Human actions such as polluting, overfishing, and construction damage them too, but climate change is the biggest threat to the corals. Scientists also blame the acidic water for the reason to cause the corals to die. Acidic water is caused by oceans absorbing the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere which comes from climate changes. The acidic water makes it hard for the corals to get calcium which they need for growing shells.
However, thankfully, it looks like the corals and algae will settle in with the temperature change quickly.
"It's not all doom and gloom for the corals," marine biologist Andrew Baker says. He adds that they can respond to bleaching in several different ways and "very quickly, within a few years."
Reported by Cindy Kim
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