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Which of the following is/are the causes of coral bleaching?
Excessive sedimentation in the reef ecosystem
  • Excess nutrients like ammonia and nitrates entering the reef system
  • Increased exposure to Ultraviolet (UV) radiation
    Select the correct answer using the code given below.
    • a)
      1 only
    • b)
      1 and 2 only
    • c)
      2 only
    • d)
      1, 2 and 3
    Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?
    Most Upvoted Answer
    Which of the following is/are the causes of coral bleaching? Excess...
    • Ridge or elevated part of a relatively shallow area of the seafloor approaching the surface of the sea is called as a coral reef.
    • Corals are massive wave resistant structures built largely by coral and consisting of skeletal and chemically precipitated material. These are made by polyps i.e. animals belonging to the class Coelenterata.
    • There are basically three types of coral reefs- Fringing reefs, Barrier reefs and Atoll.
      • The fringing reefs develop along the shoreline of an island and usually extend outwards.
      • The barrier reefs develop away from the shoreline and form a channel or lagoon between the reef and the shore.
      • The atolls are islands made of corals.
    • In Indian seas, coral reefs are found in the Gulf of Mannar, Pak-bay, Lakshadweep (atolls), Gulf of Kutch, and Andaman and Nicobar sea areas. The health of coral reefs has been declining over the past several decades. The pollution of seawater, destructive fishing practices, algal blooms, and eutrophication, coral diseases and coral bleaching are some serious causes of depletion of coral reefs.
    • What is Coral Bleaching?
      • The whitening of coral colonies due to the loss of symbiotic zooxanthellae from the tissues of polyps is called Coral Bleaching.
    • Zooxanthellae are unicellular algae that provide colour to corals. They also provide food to corals and their deaths lead to the breakdown of the symbiotic relationship between them. This breakdown of the symbiotic relationship causes starvation and resultant deaths of coral polyps. This condition exposes the white calcium carbonate skeletons of the coral colony.
    • There are a number of stresses or environmental changes that may cause bleaching. These causes include disease, excess shade, increased levels of ultraviolet radiation, sedimentation, pollution, salinity changes, and increased temperatures.
    • Other causes of coral bleaching include:
      • Increased exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation;
      • Large amounts of stormwater from heavy rains flooding the reef;
      • The exposure of coral to certain chemicals or diseases;
      • Sediments such as sand or dirt covering the coral;
      • Excess nutrients such as ammonia and nitrate from fertilizers and household products entering the reef ecosystem. (The nutrients might increase the number of zooxanthellae in the coral, but it is possible that the nutrient overload increases the susceptibility of coral to diseases.)
    Hence option (d) is the correct answer.
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    Which of the following is/are the causes of coral bleaching? Excessive sedimentation in the reef ecosystem Excess nutrients like ammonia and nitrates entering the reef system Increased exposure to Ultraviolet (UV) radiation Select the correct answer using the code given below.a)1 onlyb)1 and 2 onlyc)2 onlyd)1, 2 and 3Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?
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    Which of the following is/are the causes of coral bleaching? Excessive sedimentation in the reef ecosystem Excess nutrients like ammonia and nitrates entering the reef system Increased exposure to Ultraviolet (UV) radiation Select the correct answer using the code given below.a)1 onlyb)1 and 2 onlyc)2 onlyd)1, 2 and 3Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? for UPSC 2025 is part of UPSC preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the UPSC exam syllabus. Information about Which of the following is/are the causes of coral bleaching? Excessive sedimentation in the reef ecosystem Excess nutrients like ammonia and nitrates entering the reef system Increased exposure to Ultraviolet (UV) radiation Select the correct answer using the code given below.a)1 onlyb)1 and 2 onlyc)2 onlyd)1, 2 and 3Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for UPSC 2025 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for Which of the following is/are the causes of coral bleaching? Excessive sedimentation in the reef ecosystem Excess nutrients like ammonia and nitrates entering the reef system Increased exposure to Ultraviolet (UV) radiation Select the correct answer using the code given below.a)1 onlyb)1 and 2 onlyc)2 onlyd)1, 2 and 3Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?.
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