... . Zooxanthellae are photosynthetic, and have a symbiotic relationship with the tissue of the coral, which not only feeds the coral, but also gives the coral its color. The zooxanthellae and tissue die after extended periods of time exposed to extreme light. This leaves the white calcium based skeleton in a graveyard like forest of coral on the ocean floor. In short, this is called coral bleaching. Bleaching can lead ... to coral death when prolonged, although links between bleaching and subsequent coral recovery and death are not well known. Causes of bleaching have been observed to incl...

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