Answer :
Question Part D:
Today, coral reefs cover approximately 284,300 square kilometers. Corals depend on calcium carbonate to build their skeletons. Some scientists predict that by 2050, only 15% of coral reefs will have sufficient levels of calcium carbonate required for growth. By these estimates, how many square kilometers of coral reefs will be damaged by low calcium carbonate levels? Show your calculations.
Step-by-step explanation:
If 15% of coral reefs have the correct amount of calcium carbonate, then 85% of coral reefs will not: 100 – 15 = 85.
Multiply the area of the coral reefs by 85%: 284,300 sq. km × 0.85 = 241,655 sq. km
Based on these numbers, scientists predict that 241,655 square kilometers of coral reefs will be damaged by insufficient levels of calcium carbonate.