Question

In a small bay that contains a coral reef, the water temperature has remained the same for decades. Recently, scientists discovered that the water temperature in the bay has increased by 1°C. Which is most likely to happen?(1 point)
The corals in the reef will immediately die.
The coral in the reef will gain more zooxanthellae.
The coral reef will experience a bleaching event.
The coral reef will undergo a period of intense growth.

Answer 1

If temperature of the bay has increased by 1 degree the coral reef will experience a bleaching event.

Explanation: Because coral reefs are in symbiotic relation with algae, they depend for oxygen and food on algae while coral provides them with constituents of photosynthesis. With the increase in temperature, these algae will pull themselves from coral reef, making them white giving bleaching effect. Eventually with no food and oxygen the corals will die.