What causes coral bleaching? (1 point)

Question

Water acidity and high water temperatures make coral polyps more prone to infection, causing them to turn white in color.
• High water temperatures boil coral polyps, causing them to turn white in color.
High water temperatures and water acidity cause coral polyps to expel algae, causing them to turn white in color.
Water acidity causes coral polyps to lose their photosynthetic abilities, causing them to turn white in color.

Answer 1

The correct answer is: High water temperatures and water acidity cause coral polyps to expel algae, causing them to turn white in color.

Coral bleaching occurs when stressed corals expel the symbiotic algae (zooxanthellae) living within their tissues, leading to the loss of their color and essential nutrients.