What is the most direct and likely cause of coral bleaching?
A) Ocean acidification
B) Warming temperatures kill the coral polyps.
C) Warming temperatures kill the dinoflagellate population.
D) Pollution of coastal waters
E) Destructive fishing practices

Question

What is the most direct and likely cause of coral bleaching?  
A) Ocean acidification
B) Warming temperatures kill the coral polyps.
C) Warming temperatures kill the dinoflagellate population.
D) Pollution of coastal waters
E) Destructive fishing practices

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Warming temperatures lead to the death of dinoflagellates (zooxanthellae), the symbiotic algae living within coral tissues, causing the corals to bleach. This is because the coral expels the algae, losing its color and main source of food, which can lead to coral death if the temperatures do not return to a level where the algae can survive.

What Is the Most Direct and Likely Cause of Coral