According to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, the reef is suffering from its fifth mass-bleaching event since 2016. Not only is the Great Barrier Reef in distress, but corals around the globe are facing the same problems.
The main cause of the bleaching is due to the rising ocean temperatures from climate change, in addition to increased sun exposure and low tides.
Bleaching occurs when stressed corals discharge microscopic algae that live in their tissue. The coral’s white skeleton becomes exposed when the algae isn’t in their tissues. Although bleaching doesn’t necessarily kill the coral, but it does make it more at risk for disease and starvation.
If the ocean temperatures remain high for long periods of time, the coral can end up starving and die.
By - FZ
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