Final answer:
Evaporation in the Great Barrier Reef occurs as the sun heats the water's surface, causing water to transition to vapor, subsequently increasing the salinity of areas like the back reef or lagoon. This process is part of the water cycle that applies to the marine ecosystem of the reef.
Step-by-step explanation:
Evaporation in the Great Barrier Reef can be understood by considering the effects of the sun's heat on the reef's waters, leading to the transition of water from liquid to vapor. This evaporative process is integral to the water cycle within marine ecosystems, like that of the expansive Great Barrier Reef, which harbors a rich diversity of life, including carnivorous jellyfish that prey on zooplankton and other marine organisms.
The reef's ecosystem is divided into different zones, including the back reef or lagoon area, characterized by low wave activity and high salinity due to evaporation and other factors.
Further, evaporation contributes to the concentration of salts, as seen in other saline environments, which can leave mineral deposits and affect the local aquatic life. Despite the larger size of the Great Barrier Reef, these same principles of water cycle, including evaporation and the resulting salinity changes, apply.