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Reef-Building Corals

Reef-Building Corals. Reef-Building Corals. Coral reefs are produced by millions of coral , _____________ , each removing calcium and carbonate from sea water and depositing it as a hard __________________. Polyp skeleton. Reef-Building Corals.

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Reef-Building Corals

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  1. Reef-Building Corals

  2. Reef-Building Corals • Coral reefs are produced by millions of coral , _____________, each removing calcium and carbonate from sea water and depositing it as a hard __________________. Polyp skeleton

  3. Reef-Building Corals • As one generation of polyps reproduces, the new polyps build their skeleton on the _____________ of the old. - foundation

  4. Reef-Building Corals • This cycle has resulted in the build-up of coral into huge _____________ -- and some have actually become ________________ over time (for example, the Florida Keys). • Reefs • Islands

  5. Reef-Building Corals • All reef-building corals possess ____________ within their tissues. The algae ____________, utilizing the waste products of the coral (carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and phosphorus). • Algae • photosynthesize Coral Bleaching

  6. Reef-Building Corals • In turn, the coral use the _____________ and oxygen produced by the algae during photosynthesis. Without the algae, the corals would not have the ability to ____________ the massive stony skeleton we call the reef. • Food • Secrete

  7. Reef-Building Corals • Since the algae need light for photosynthesis, reef-building corals grow only in ocean water less than __________ feet deep. The corals need __________ water (above 70°F) and do not tolerate low ____________ or murky water. • 300 • Warm • Salinity

  8. Reef-Building Corals • The only place in the continental United States suitable for coral reef formation is around the ___________, where there is warm, clear water from the ______________. • Florida Keys • Gulf Stream Coral Reefs

  9. What coral reefs do for us: • Provide shelter for marine life • Provide humans with recreation • Potential source of medicines • Create sand for beaches • Buffer shorelines from storms; coastal protection • Fisheries, sea food

  10. What we do to coral reefs: • Coastal development; deforestation • Disease • Overfishing & destructive fishing • Pollution from agriculture • Sewage • Global warming NOAA Research Reef Revival

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