Bleaching

Coral bleaching does not immediately kill corals. They have the potential to recover if temperatures drop back below stressful levels and remain there for a long period of time—with no new shocks.

Coral bleaching occurs when corals become heat-stressed enough to expel their primary source of food, the microalgae that live inside their cells. This leaves the coral looking as white as if they had been soaking in bleach.

Sami's mother was bleaching his hair blond to match hers.

Climate change and ocean acidification can result in mass coral bleaching events, increased susceptibility to disease, slower growth and reproductive rates, and degraded reef structure.

As temperatures rise, mass coral bleaching events and infectious disease outbreaks are becoming more frequent.

A warming ocean causes thermal stress that contributes to coral bleaching and infectious disease.

The state of Hawai‘i is developing management options to promote coral reef recovery from widespread bleaching events caused by warmer waters that threaten tourism, fisheries, and coastal protection from wind and waves.

The Great Barrier Reef off Australia is facing one of its most widespread coral bleaching events on record, as water temperatures soar.

So far, the coral reef has resisted the effects of climate change bleaching coral reefs around the world. But, experts say visitors are now threatening the reef’s existence.

The leaves of the ivy started bleaching.