Coral bleaching

Coral bleaching occurs when corals expel the colorful algae living inside their tissues due to stress, usually caused by rising ocean temperatures, pollution, or changes in light levels. Without these algae, which provide both the coral's vibrant colors and most of its food through photosynthesis, the coral turns white and becomes weakened and vulnerable to disease. If conditions improve quickly, corals can recover, but prolonged bleaching events often lead to coral death, threatening the entire marine ecosystems that depend on healthy coral reefs.