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Rades M, Poschet G, Gegner H, Wilke T, Reichert J. Chronic effects of exposure to polyethylene microplastics may be mitigated at the expense of growth and photosynthesis in reef-building corals. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 205:116631. [PMID: 38917503 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2024] [Revised: 06/13/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024]
Abstract
The causes of the physiological effects of microplastic pollution, potentially harming reef-building corals, are unclear. Reasons might include increased energy demands for handling particles and immune reactions. This study is among the first assessing the effects of long-term microplastic exposure on coral physiology at realistic concentrations (200 polyethylene particles L-1). The coral species Acropora muricata, Pocillopora verrucosa, Porites lutea, and Heliopora coerulea were exposed to microplastics for 11 months, and energy reserves, metabolites, growth, and photosymbiont state were analyzed. Results showed an overall low impact on coral physiology, yet species-specific effects occurred. Specifically, H. coerulea exhibited reduced growth, P. lutea and A. muricata showed changes in photosynthetic efficiency, and A. muricata variations in taurine levels. These findings suggest that corals may possess compensatory mechanisms mitigating the effects of microplastics. However, realistic microplastic concentrations only occasionally affected corals. Yet, corals exposed to increasing pollution scenarios will likely experience more negative impacts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marvin Rades
- Department of Animal Ecology & Systematics, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany.
| | - Gernot Poschet
- Metabolomics Core Technology Platform, Centre for Organismal Studies, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Hagen Gegner
- Metabolomics Core Technology Platform, Centre for Organismal Studies, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Thomas Wilke
- Department of Animal Ecology & Systematics, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Jessica Reichert
- Department of Animal Ecology & Systematics, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany; Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Kāne'ohe, HI, USA
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Cui B, Rong H, Tian T, Guo D, Duan L, Nkinahamira F, Ndagijimana P, Yan W, Naidu R. Chemical methods to remove microplastics from wastewater: A review. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 249:118416. [PMID: 38316391 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.118416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Revised: 12/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
Microplastics (Mps) have emerged as a pervasive environmental concern, with their presence detected not only in freshwater ecosystems but also in drinking and bottled water sources. While extensive research has centered on understanding the origins, migration patterns, detection techniques, and ecotoxicological impacts of these contaminants, there remains a notable research gap about the strategies for Mps removal. This study reviews existing literature on chemical approaches for mitigating microplastic contamination within wastewater systems, focusing on coagulation precipitation, electrocoagulation, and advanced oxidation methods. Each approach is systematically explored, encompassing their respective mechanisms and operational dynamics. Furthermore, the comparative analysis of these three techniques elucidates their strengths and limitations in the context of MPs removal. By shedding light on the intricate mechanisms underlying these removal methods, this review contributes to the theoretical foundation of microplastic elimination from wastewater and identifies future research trajectories and potential challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baihui Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Ecology, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-Sen University, Gongchang Road, Guangming District, Guangdong, 518107, China; School of Civil Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Hongwei Rong
- School of Civil Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Tingting Tian
- School of Civil Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Dabin Guo
- School of Civil Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Luchun Duan
- Global Centre for Environmental Remediation (GCER), College of Science, Engineering and Environment, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia; Cooperative Research Centre for Contamination Assessment and Remediation of the Environment (crcCARE), University Drive, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia
| | | | | | - Wangwang Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Ecology, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-Sen University, Gongchang Road, Guangming District, Guangdong, 518107, China.
| | - Ravi Naidu
- Global Centre for Environmental Remediation (GCER), College of Science, Engineering and Environment, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia; Cooperative Research Centre for Contamination Assessment and Remediation of the Environment (crcCARE), University Drive, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia
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