Question

What is a direct cause of coral bleaching?

a.
exposure to sunlight
b.
the loss of symbiotic algae
c.
overgrazing by fish
d.
all of the above


Please select the best answer from the choices provided

Answer 1

The answer is B, the loss of symbiotic algae.

Step-by-step explanation:

I thought it was D, but got it wrong. So I went and checked again, and it was actually B. I know it's right because i just took the test.

Answer 2

Answer: d. all of the above

When the corals are stressed because of the changes that occur in the external environment like changes in the temperature, sunlight and nutrients, the corals remove or expel the symbiotically living algae growing on their living tissues,resulting in the corals exhibiting completely white appearance. The warmer water is mainly responsible for coral bleaching because it makes the algae swollen and which gets easily detached from the surface of the coral. The coral may remain alive but gets exposed to the grazing animals like fishes.