9.6 Ocean Warming

Explain the causes and effects of ocean warming.

• Ocean warming is caused by the increase in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
• Ocean warming can affect marine species in a variety of ways, including loss of habitat, and metabolic and reproductive changes.
• Ocean warming is causing coral bleaching, which occurs when the loss of algae within corals cause the corals to bleach white. Some corals recover and some die.
• Enduring understanding STB-4: Local and regional human activities can have impacts at the global level.