How Can Bacteria and Symbiotic Algae Help Corals Survive Bleaching?
The survival of coral reefs depends heavily on microorganisms, particularly the symbiotic algae belonging to the family Symbiodiniaceae, which live inside coral cells. These single-celled algae produce organic compounds through photosynthesis and transfer some of these products to their coral hosts, enabling corals to build extensive reefs in the relatively nutrient-poor waters of tropical oceans. However, as seawater temperatures continue to rise, this symbiotic relationship can gradually break down. Corals may lose large numbers of their algal symbionts or become discolored as the algae lose their photosynthetic pigments. The once vibrant coral tissues become increasingly transparent, revealing the white calcium carbonate skeleton beneath. This phenomenon is known as coral bleaching. Bleached corals can survive for some time, but as their nutrient supply diminishes, tissue damage accumulates, and susceptibility to disease increases, their risk of mortality rises.
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