Text 1: Marine biologist Ito argues that ocean acidification poses an existential threat to coral reefs. As CO2 dissolves into seawater, it forms carbonic acid, lowering pH and reducing the carbonate ions corals need to build their skeletons. Without aggressive emissions cuts, Ito warns, most reefs will dissolve faster than they can grow within decades.
Text 2: Marine biologist Cole shares Ito's concern about acidification but argues that warming temperatures, not pH, are the immediate killer. Most reef die-offs in recent years have come from bleaching events caused by heat stress, which kills corals in weeks. Acidification, she contends, is a slower process whose effects will compound but have not yet driven the worst of recent reef losses.
Both authors would most likely agree that
- Acheck_circle
human activity is harming coral reefs.
- B
ocean pH has not changed.
- C
coral reefs are not threatened.
- D
reef bleaching events are unrelated to climate change.
Explanation
Both authors describe coral reefs as imperiled by human-caused changes (acidification or warming). A captures the agreement. B, C, and D contradict both authors.