Global Warming

Global warming is another threat to the coral reefs. The temperature rises when there is too much carbon dioxide in the atmosphere caused by not enough plants taking in the carbon dioxide. Some scientists believe that this can cause animals to get diseases. An example of a disease that affects turtles is tumors. The tumors can cause blindness. The affected turtle cannot get food and weakens and dies. The scientists are researching to see if global warming causes tumor growth in turtles.

The rising of the temperature can also cause coral bleaching. Even if the temperature increases or decreases by 1-2 ° Fahrenheit, it will affect the coral reefs. The warm water causes the zooxanthellae (the algae that is responsible for keeping the coral healthy) to leave the coral. The zooxanthallae is responsible for the coral's color and helps the coral to get its food. Here is an example of a bleached coral: