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Close-up view of bleached coral polyps. Click the image for a larger view and more information.
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Mass coral bleaching is caused by unusually high water temperatures that stress corals. Coral polyps will expel the symbiotic algae that live in their tissues, exposing the white skeleton underneath. Corals typically recover from mild bleaching, gradually recovering their color by repopulating their algae. However, if the bleaching is severe or prolonged, individual polyps or whole colonies will die. Please read on for more information about coral reefs, and the causes and consequences of coral bleaching.
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