Aboitic Factors of a Coral Reef

In order for a Coral Reef to thrive it needs certian nonliving resorces:

• Temperature:
•  Reef-building corals require warm ocean temperatures .
• Nutrients:
• Precipitation of calcium from the water is necessary to form a coral polyp's skeleton.
• Corals need clear water so that sunlight can reach the coral.
• Sunlight:
• Producers need sunlight to make food.
• Depth:
• Corals need to live at depth of at least 60 meters.
• Waves:
• Water movement brings food through the water
• Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide circulate through the water
• Sand and Rocks:
• The ground layer of the ocean

For more: http://spressivo.com/isa/coralreef/abiotic.htm