assess the impact of global warming on coral life system with examples.
Answers
Answer:
Impact of global warming on corals:
Bleaching
Bleaching is a phenomenon where the corals lose their distinctive colour due to loss of zooxanthellae algae. These algae live in a symbiotic relationship and thus their death also leads to the death of corals.
Eg: Bleaching observed in the Great barrier reef of Australia.
Fluctuations in mineral composition of oceans
The temperature of oceans regulates mineral contents present in them such as magnesium and calcium. With the imbalance in mineral contents, the corals are unable to utilise these minerals and survive.
Eg: Collapse of coral colonies in Caribbean islands due to mineral imbalance.
Nutrients
The phytoplanktons are a major source of nutrients for the corals. These sustain their lives in optimum subtropical temperatures. Without these organisms, the corals cannot survive.
Eg: Reduction in phytoplankton in subtropical waters.
Mineral imbalance:
Due to increase in global temperature corals are losing their mineral contents which are useful to sustain the life of corals.
Eg:Coral colonies at Carrabian islands are lost due to mineral imbalance.