Question

Ocean acidification can cause coral bleaching. Which organisms that give corals their vibrant colors are affected by this?

Answer 1

The organisms that give corals their vibrant colors are a type of algae called zooxanthellae. These algae live inside the tissues of coral polyps and provide them with energy through photosynthesis. When corals are stressed by factors such as ocean acidification, they expel the zooxanthellae, which leads to coral bleaching and a loss of color.