Question

1. increased sea surface temperature has the potential to kill vast areas of coral because of this phenomenon: zooxanthellae coral bleaching ocean acidification invasive species oligotrophic

Explanation:

Coral bleaching occurs when corals expel the symbiotic zooxanthellae (algae) living in their tissues due to stress like increased sea - surface temperature. Without zooxanthellae, corals lose their color (bleach) and may die as they rely on the algae for nutrients. Ocean acidification is related to increased \(CO_2\) in the ocean, invasive species are about non - native organisms disrupting ecosystems, and oligotrophic refers to low - nutrient environments. Zooxanthellae are the algae involved in the bleaching process, not the phenomenon itself.

Answer:

coral bleaching