Question

3. Climate change has been a topic repeatedly mentioned in our study of Marine Science.

Answer 1

Answer:

Climate change lead to the destruction of corals due a warming of the oceans, increase in ocean acidity as gases such as carbon dioxide are absorbed into the oceans, rise in sea level due to melting glaciers and increase in precipitation, changes in storm patterns, etc.

Symbiosis is a close relationship between two dissimilar organisms which usually results in benefits to one or both organisms.

Note: The study material was not provided.

Explanation:

Greenhouse gas emissions from human activities have led to an increase in global surface temperature. This has resulted in a warming of the oceans, increase in ocean acidity as gases such as carbon dioxide are absorbed into the oceans, rise in sea level due to melting glaciers and increase in precipitation, changes in storm patterns, etc.

The warming of the oceans poses a great threat to life and activities in the ocean. Coral reefs especially are affected by a warming of the ocean in the following ways:

• mass coral bleaching- with increase in ocean temperature, corals remove the algae living in association with them that are responsible for their colour, thereby turning corals white. With prolonged bleaching periods, the corals eventually eventually die .
• Sea level rise: with rise in sea level comes a likelihood of increase in flow of sediments into the sea. This sediments when deposited on corals found near land suffocates and kill the corals.
• Changes in storm patterns: stronger and more frequent storms can lead to a destruction of coral reefs.
• Increase in the acidity of oceans results in death of corals.

Corals and algae exist in a symbiotic (mutualistic) relationship in coral reefs. The coral provides the algae with a protected environment and compounds they need for photosynthesis. In return, the algae produce oxygen and help the coral to remove wastes.

Therefore, symbiosis is a close relationship between two dissimilar organisms which usually results in benefits to one or both organisms.