Essay on Effects of Global Warming on Coral Reefs 500 Words in English

Long Essay on Effects of Global Warming on Coral Reefs is usually given to classes 7,
8, 9, and 10.

Changes in marine ecosystems are associated with rising water temperatures and
related changes in ice cover, salinity, oxygen levels and circulation. These changes
result from climate change, and they are negatively affecting marine organisms, mostly
on the corals.

Coastal conditions of small islands are deteriorating because of coral bleaching and
beach erosion. Intense tropical cyclones will likely increase the damage of coral reefs.
Coral reefs are sensitive to thermal stress, and their ability to adapt to changing
conditions is low. A specific increase of 1 to 3°C in sea surface temperature can cause
widespread mortality and more frequent bleaching.

Increased greenhouse gases result from human activities like burning fossil fuels for
heat, production of certain industrial products, fertilization of crops, deforestation, etc.
This results in climate change and ocean acidification. Warming of ocean water causes
thermal stress that contributes to coral bleaching and other infectious diseases. The rise
in sea level leads to increases in sedimentation for reefs located near land-based
sources of sediment. Sedimentation runoff can lead to the suffocation of the coral.

Changes in occurring patterns of storms lead to the destruction of coral reefs. Changes
in precipitation which causes increased runoff of freshwater, sediment, and land-based
pollutants contribute to algal blooms and cause dirty water conditions that reduce the
light, which is harmful to the corals.

Altered or change in the pattern of ocean currents or circulation of the ocean water due
to resultant effects of climate change leads to changes in connectivity and temperature
regimes. This results in lack of food for corals and hampers dispersal of coral larvae.
Ocean acidification results from an increase in the level of CO 2 in seawater. This leads
to a reduction in pH levels which reduces the rate of coral growth and structural
integrity.

Different studies have revealed the impacts of increasing CO 2 levels on corals. High
levels of carbon dioxide make it difficult for marine organisms to build up their calcium
carbonate shells. A study in the Red Sea reef revealed that, globally, when
CO2 concentrations are at 560 ppm, corals will dissolve instead of accumulate calcium
carbonate, resulting in massive die-offs of the corals. Increasing CO 2 levels associated
with climate change and global warming results in detrimental processes to coral reef
ecosystems. CO2 concentrations will increase in oceans, and corals will have to live in a
chemically unhealthy and unstable ecosystem if the greenhouse gases continue to be
emitted.