Q19 (UPPCS/2024) Environment & Ecology › Biodiversity & Protected Areas

Which of the following reasons caused catastrophic coral bleaching and mass coral deaths in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands ?

Increased industrial activities in the coastal regions

Increase of 2° C temperature in the Indian Ocean

Heavy marine pollution

Decrease of temperature by 4° C in the Indian Ocean

Result

Your answer: — · Correct: B

Explanation

The catastrophic coral bleaching in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, particularly noted in 2024, was primarily caused by a significant rise in Sea Surface Temperatures (SST). According to the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), temperatures in the Andaman Sea reached approximately 31°C to 32°C, which is about 2°C above the normal threshold for these reefs. Corals maintain a symbiotic relationship with zooxanthellae algae; when water temperatures rise excessively (thermal stress), corals expel these algae, leading to bleaching and eventual death if the heat persists. While industrial activities and pollution (Options A and C) are localized stressors, they are not the primary drivers of regional mass bleaching events. A decrease in temperature (Option D) is contrary to the observed phenomenon of marine heatwaves caused by global warming.

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Which of the following reasons caused catastrophic coral bleaching and mass coral deaths in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands ?

Explanation

SIMILAR QUESTIONS

Which one among the following is the coral group of islands of India?

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