Global climate change threatens coral reefs by
A)decreasing the temperature and increasing the pH of the oceans.
B)decreasing both the temperature and the pH of the oceans.
C)increasing the temperature and decreasing the pH of the oceans.
D)increasing both the temperature and the pH of the oceans.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

As carbon dioxide levels continue to rise in the atmosphere, more CO2 is absorbed into the ocean. This causes the pH of seawater to decrease, making it more acidic. At the same time, rising temperatures due to climate change increase the likelihood of coral bleaching events, which have devastating effects on coral reef ecosystems. Ultimately, the combination of higher temperatures and more acidic waters could make survival for coral reefs much more difficult. Therefore, the correct answer is C.

Global Climate Change Threatens Coral Reefs by