Oceanic Heatwaves Threaten Coral Reefs, Posing Grave Risk to Marine Ecosystems | Univision World News

According to NOAA, rising water temperatures can have a negative impact on coral reefs. This increase in temperature can cause stress to coral polyps, which may lead to them expelling the algae that reside in their tissues. This process is known as coral bleaching, as the algae are responsible for giving the coral its vibrant color. When the algae leave the coral, it turns completely white.