. These factors are contributing to coral bleaching, which occurs when corals expel the algae living in their tissues, turning them white and leaving them more vulnerable to disease and death. Higher ocean temperatures also increase the frequency and intensity of storms, leading to physical damage to coral reefs. Decreased pH levels in the ocean due to increased carbon dioxide absorption is causing ocean acidification, which weakens the skeletons of coral, making them more susceptible to erosion and damage. Both of these factors are major threats to the health and survival of coral reefs worldwide.
