coral bleaching

Coral bleaching is the process where corals become white due to loss of symbiotic algae and photosynthetic pigments. This loss of pigment can be caused by various stressors, such as changes in water temperature, light, salinity, or nutrients. A bleached coral is under stress, more vulnerable to starvation and disease, and at risk of death. The leading cause of coral bleaching is rising ocean temperatures due to climate change. Take up of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere also has been acidifyin