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Coral is also incredibly sensitive when it comes to water temperature. When the oceans water temperature escalates even slightly, it can cause bleaching to occur. A study shows that in 2002 almost sixty percent of The Great Barrier Reef suffered from bleaching due to an increase in water temperature. (2) Coral is able to mend itself when it comes to short term bleaching but if the bleaching is long-drawn-out, it could be irreversible. (2) Bleaching causes the coral to lose its vivid colouring and turn to white. Warmer water also increases the algae growth that develops on the surface of the coral, which results in the death of the coral because no sun is able to reach it.

1.     Coral Reefs: the Tropical Rainforests of the Sea. 2013. Coral Reefs: the Tropical Rainforests of the Sea. [ONLINE] Available at: http://rainforests.mongabay.com/09reefs.htm. [Accessed 28 April 2013].