(1) CCC Energy and Matter Identify at least three ways that you think rising global temperatures could alter the three parameters that coral reefs need to survive.

- **Temperature Increase and Coral Bleaching** Rising global temperatures can push water conditions beyond the optimal range required by corals. When water temperature exceeds a certain threshold, the symbiotic algae (zooxanthellae) become stressed and may be expelled by the coral, leading to bleaching. This process disrupts the energy transfer from algae to coral, compromising the coral’s ability to survive. - **Ocean Acidification Affecting Calcium Carbonate Availability** As global temperatures rise, more \( \text{CO}_2 \) is absorbed by the ocean. This increases the formation of carbonic acid in seawater, which lowers the pH. A more acidic environment reduces the carbonate ion concentration necessary for corals to build their calcium carbonate skeletons. The relevant chemical equilibrium can be expressed as \[ \text{CO}_2 + \text{H}_2\text{O} \rightleftharpoons \text{H}_2\text{CO}_3 \rightleftharpoons \text{H}^+ + \text{HCO}_3^- \] The increased concentration of \( \text{H}^+ \) ions shifts this equilibrium and diminishes the availability of \( \text{CO}_3^{2-} \), which corals need for skeleton formation. - **Alteration of Water Clarity and Light Penetration** Elevated temperatures can also influence water stratification and circulation patterns. Enhanced stratification may lead to reduced mixing between nutrient-rich deeper waters and the upper, sunlit layers. This change can affect water clarity by promoting the growth of algae or other particulate matter in the water column, thus reducing the light penetration that is critical for the photosynthesis of symbiotic algae residing within the corals. Without sufficient light, energy production declines, further endangering the coral’s survival.