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Axworthy JB, Lasdin KS, Padilla-Gamiño JL. Low incidence of microplastics in coral reefs of Kāne'ohe Bay, Hawai'i, USA. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 208:116996. [PMID: 39326332 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2024] [Revised: 09/11/2024] [Accepted: 09/13/2024] [Indexed: 09/28/2024]
Abstract
This study investigated microplastic and other micro-debris pollution in sediment, seawater, sea cucumbers, and corals from fringing and patch reefs in Kāne'ohe Bay, O'ahu, Hawai'i, USA. Microplastic pollution in Kāne'ohe Bay Bay was low compared to other tropical coral reefs. Microplastics were detected in sediments (29 %), sea cucumbers (9 %), and coral (0-2 %) samples but were not quantifiable. Seawater had quantifiable microplastic (< 0.5 mm) and macroplastic (> 0.5 mm) pollution, with mean concentrations ranging from 0.0061 to 0.081 particles m-3. Most particles detected in seawater samples were larger, floating plastic debris consisting mostly of polyethylene, polypropylene fragments, and fibers. Across the other matrices, the most detected particles were polyester, polypropylene, and cotton fibers. These results provide baseline data for this important coral reef ecosystem, and further monitoring is recommended to understand the seasonal and long-term trends in microplastic pollution and its potential future impacts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy B Axworthy
- School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, University of Washington, 1122 NE Boat St., Seattle, Washington 98105, USA.
| | - Katherine S Lasdin
- School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, University of Washington, 1122 NE Boat St., Seattle, Washington 98105, USA
| | - Jacqueline L Padilla-Gamiño
- School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, University of Washington, 1122 NE Boat St., Seattle, Washington 98105, USA
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2
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Reichert J, Tirpitz V, Plaza K, Wörner E, Bösser L, Kühn S, Primpke S, Schubert P, Ziegler M, Wilke T. Common types of microdebris affect the physiology of reef-building corals. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 912:169276. [PMID: 38086480 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
Marine debris, particularly microdebris (< 1 mm) poses a potential threat to marine life, including reef-building corals. While previous research has mainly focused on the impact of single polymer microplastics, the effects of natural microdebris, composed of a mixture of materials, have not been explored. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the effects of different microdebris, originating from major sources of pollution, on reef-building corals. For this, we exposed two scleractinian coral species, Pocillopora verrucosa and Stylophora pistillata, known to frequently ingest microplastics, to four types of microdebris in an 8-week laboratory experiment: fragmented environmental plastic debris, artificial fibers from clothing, residues from the automobile sector consisting of tire wear, brake abrasion, and varnish flakes, a single polymer microplastic treatment consisting of polyethylene particles, and a microdebris-free control treatment. Specifically, we (I) compared the effects of the different microdebris on coral growth, necrosis, and photosynthesis, (II) investigated the difference between the microdebris mixtures and the exposure to the single polymer treatment, and (III) identified potential mechanisms causing species-specific effects by contrasting the feeding responses of the two coral species on microdebris and natural food. We show that the fibers and tire wear had the strongest effects on coral physiology, with P. verrucosa being more affected than S. pistillata. Both species showed increased volume growth in response to the microdebris treatments, accompanied by decreased calcification in P. verrucosa. Photosynthetic efficiency of the symbionts was enhanced in both species. The species-specific physiological responses might be attributed to feeding reactions, with P. verrucosa responding significantly more often to microdebris than S. pistillata. These findings highlight the effect of different microdebris on coral physiology and the need for future studies to use particle mixtures to better mimic naturally occurring microdebris and assess its effect on corals in more detail.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Reichert
- Department of Animal Ecology & Systematics, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany; Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, HI, Kāne'ohe, USA.
| | - Vanessa Tirpitz
- Department of Animal Ecology & Systematics, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Katherine Plaza
- Department of Animal Ecology & Systematics, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Wörner
- Department of Animal Ecology & Systematics, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany; Department of Geoscience, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Luisa Bösser
- Department of Animal Ecology & Systematics, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Susanne Kühn
- Wageningen Marine Research, Den Helder, the Netherlands
| | - Sebastian Primpke
- Alfred-Wegener-Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Biologische Anstalt Helgoland, Helgoland, Germany
| | - Patrick Schubert
- Department of Animal Ecology & Systematics, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Maren Ziegler
- Department of Animal Ecology & Systematics, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Thomas Wilke
- Department of Animal Ecology & Systematics, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
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3
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Li Y, Lu Q, Xing Y, Liu K, Ling W, Yang J, Yang Q, Wu T, Zhang J, Pei Z, Gao Z, Li X, Yang F, Ma H, Liu K, Zhao D. Review of research on migration, distribution, biological effects, and analytical methods of microfibers in the environment. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 855:158922. [PMID: 36155038 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Revised: 09/17/2022] [Accepted: 09/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics have been proven to be one of the critical environmental pollution issues. Moreover, microfibers, the most prominent form of microplastics in the environment, have likewise attracted the attention of various countries. With the increase in global population and industrialization, the production and use of fibers continue to increase yearly. As a result, a large number of microfibers are formed. If fiber products are not used or handled correctly, it will cause direct/indirect severe microfiber environmental pollution. Microfibers will be further broken into smaller fiber fragments when they enter the natural environment. Presently, researchers have conducted extensive research in the identification of microfibers, laying the foundation for further resourcefulness research. This work used bibliometric analysis to review the microfiber contamination researches systematically. First, the primary sources of microfibers and the influencing factors are analyzed. We aim to summarize the influence of the clothing fiber preparation and care processes on microfiber formation. Then, this work elaborated on the migration in/between water, atmosphere, and terrestrial environments. We also discussed the effects of microfiber on ecosystems. Finally, microfibers' current and foreseeable effective treatment, disposal, and resource utilization methods were explained. This paper will provide a structured reference for future microfiber research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifei Li
- Sinochem Environment Holdings Co., Ltd, Beijing 100071, China; School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Qingbin Lu
- Sinochem Environment Holdings Co., Ltd, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Yi Xing
- School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China.
| | - Kai Liu
- Sinochem Environment Holdings Co., Ltd, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Wei Ling
- School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China.
| | - Jian Yang
- College of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, Guangdong, China.
| | - Qizhen Yang
- Sinochem Environment Holdings Co., Ltd, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Tianqi Wu
- Human Resources Department, Yangquan Power Supply Company of State Grid Shanxi Electric Power Company, Yangquan 045000, Shanxi, China
| | - Jiafu Zhang
- Sinochem Environment Holdings Co., Ltd, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Zengxin Pei
- Sinochem Environment Holdings Co., Ltd, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Ziyuan Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Iron and Steel Industry Environmental Protection, No. 33, Xitucheng Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100088, China
| | - Xiaoyan Li
- Sinochem Environment Holdings Co., Ltd, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Fan Yang
- Sinochem Environment Holdings Co., Ltd, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Hongjie Ma
- Sinochem Environment Holdings Co., Ltd, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Kehan Liu
- Sinochem Environment Holdings Co., Ltd, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Ding Zhao
- Sinochem Environment Holdings Co., Ltd, Beijing 100071, China
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4
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Savage G, Porter A, Simpson SD. Uptake of microplastics by the snakelocks anemone (Anemonia viridis) is commonplace across environmental conditions. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 836:155144. [PMID: 35405239 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.155144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Revised: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (<1 mm) are ubiquitous in our oceans and widely acknowledged as concerning contaminants due to the multi-faceted threats they exert on marine organisms and ecosystems. Anthozoans, including sea anemones and corals, are particularly at risk of microplastic uptake due to their proximity to the coastline, non-selective feeding mechanisms and sedentary nature. Here, the common snakelocks anemone (Anemonia viridis) was used to generate understanding of microplastic uptake in the relatively understudied Anthozoa class. A series of microplastic exposure and multi-stressor experiments were performed to examine particle shape and size selectivity, and to test for the influence of food availability and temperature on microplastic uptake. All A. viridis individuals were found to readily take up microplastics (mean 142.1 ± 83.4 particles per gram of tissue) but exhibited limited preference between different particle shapes and sizes (n = 32). Closer examination identified that uptake involved both ingestion and external tissue adhesion, where microplastics were trapped in secreted mucus. Microplastic uptake in A. viridis was not influenced by the presence of food or elevated water temperature (n = 40). Furthermore, environmental sampling was performed to investigate microplastic uptake in A. viridis (n = 8) on the coast of southwest England, with a mean of 17.5 ± 4.0 particles taken up per individual. Fibres represented the majority of particles (91%) followed by fragments (9%), with 87% either clear, blue or black in colour. FTIR analysis identified 70% of the particles as anthropogenic cellulosic or plastic polymers. Thus, this study provides evidence of microplastic uptake by A. viridis in both laboratory exposures experiments and in the marine environment. These findings support recent literature suggesting that external adhesion may be the primary mechanism in which anthozoans capture microplastics from the water column and highlights the potential role anemones can play as environmental microplastic bioindicators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgie Savage
- Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK.
| | - Adam Porter
- Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Stephen D Simpson
- School of Biological Sciences, Life Sciences Building, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TQ, UK
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5
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Hung CM, Chen CW, Huang CP, Hsieh SL, Dong CD. Ecological responses of coral reef to polyethylene microplastics in community structure and extracellular polymeric substances. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 307:119522. [PMID: 35640726 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2022] [Revised: 05/08/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The relationships and interactions between extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) and microplastics (MPs) in coral reef ecosystems were symmetrically investigated. The current study aims to investigate the responses of scleractinian coral (Goniopora columna) to exposure of model MPs, exemplified by polyethylene (PE), in the size range of 40-48 μm as affected by MPs concentration of MP in the range between 0 and 300 mg L-1 for 14 days. The structure of EPS-associated microbial community was studied using a series of techniques including high-throughput sequencing of 16 S rRNA, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), hydrodynamic diameter, surface charge (via zeta potential), X-ray diffraction (XRD), attenuated total reflectance‒Fourier transform infrared (ATR‒FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and fluorescence excitation-emission matrix (FEEM) spectroscopy. Microbial interactions between PE-MPs and coral caused aggregation and formation of EPS matrix, which resulted in increase and decrease in the relative abundance of Donghicola (Proteobacteria phylum) and Marivita (Proteobacteria phylum) in PE-MP-associated EPS, respectively. Particle size, electrostatic interactions, and complexation with the functional groups of the EPS-based matrix affected the humification index. FEEM spectroscopy analyses suggested the presence of humic- and fulvic-like fluorophores in EPS and dissolved organic matter (DOM) in PE-MP-derived DOM. The findings provided insights into the potential environmental implications of coral-based EPS and co-existing microbial assemblages due to EPS-PE-MP-microbiome interactions throughout the dynamic PE-MP exposure process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang-Mao Hung
- Department of Marine Environmental Engineering, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
| | - Chiu-Wen Chen
- Department of Marine Environmental Engineering, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
| | - Chin-Pao Huang
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, USA
| | - Shu-Ling Hsieh
- Department of Seafood Science, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Di Dong
- Department of Marine Environmental Engineering, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan.
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6
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Hung CM, Huang CP, Hsieh SL, Chen YT, Ding DS, Hsieh S, Chen CW, Dong CD. Exposure of Goniopora columna to polyethylene microplastics (PE-MPs): Effects of PE-MP concentration on extracellular polymeric substances and microbial community. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 297:134113. [PMID: 35227744 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.134113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Revised: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Although the pollution of coral reefs by microplastics (MPs) is an environmental problem of global significance, the effects of MP concentration on scleractinian corals remain largely underexplored. Herein, we exposed a representative scleractinian coral (Goniopora columna) to different concentrations (5-300 mg L-1) of polyethylene microplastics (PE-MPs; 40-48 μm) over seven days and evaluated the changes in microbial community and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) using fluorescence excitation-emission matrix spectroscopy and amplicon sequence variants (ASV). At a PE-MP concentration of 300 mg L-1, the relative abundance of Bacillus (Firmicutes phylum) and Ruegeria (Proteobacteria phylum) in PE-MP-associated EPS increased and decreased, respectively, while the effects of exposure depended on the particle size of the extracellular polymeric substance (EPS)-based matrix and the humification index. Humic- and fulvic-like substances were identified as critical EPS components produced by microbial activity. The results have shed new insights into short-term responses of G. columna during exposure to different PE-MP concentrations and reveal important coral-MP-microbiome interactions in coral reef ecosystems. Results demonstrated that the coral-MPs interactions should be further evaluated to gain a deeper understanding of the underlying ecotoxicological risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang-Mao Hung
- Department of Marine Environmental Engineering, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
| | - Chin-Pao Huang
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, USA
| | - Shu-Ling Hsieh
- Department of Seafood Science, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
| | - Ya-Ting Chen
- Department of Seafood Science, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
| | - De-Sing Ding
- Department and Graduate Institute of Aquaculture, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
| | - Shuchen Hsieh
- Department of Chemistry, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
| | - Chiu-Wen Chen
- Department of Marine Environmental Engineering, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan.
| | - Cheng-Di Dong
- Department of Marine Environmental Engineering, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan.
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7
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Kanhai LDK, Asmath H, Gobin JF. The status of marine debris/litter and plastic pollution in the Caribbean Large Marine Ecosystem (CLME): 1980-2020. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 300:118919. [PMID: 35114304 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.118919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Revised: 01/03/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Plastic pollution is one of several anthropogenic stressors putting pressure on ecosystems of the Caribbean Large Marine Ecosystem (CLME). A 'Clean Ocean' is one of the ambitious goals of the United Nations (UN) Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. If this is to be realized, it is imperative to build upon the work of the previous decades (1980-2020). The objectives of the present study were to assess the state of knowledge about: (i) the distribution, quantification, sources, transport and fate of marine debris/litter and microplastics in the coastal/marine environment of the CLME and, (ii) the effects of plastics on biodiversity. Snapshots, i.e., peer-reviewed studies and multi-year (1991-2020) marine debris data from International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) events, indicated that plastic debris was a persistent issue in multiple ecosystems and environmental compartments of the CLME. Collectively, a suite of approaches (debris categorization, remote sensing, particle tracking) indicated that plastic debris originated from a combination of land and marine-based sources, with the former more significant than the latter. Rivers were identified as an important means of transporting mismanaged land-based waste to the marine environment. Oceanic currents were important to the transport of plastic debris into, within and out of the region. Plastic debris posed a threat to the biodiversity of the CLME, with specific biological, physical, ecological and chemical effects being identified. Existing data can be used to inform interventions to mitigate the leakage of plastic waste to the marine environment. Given the persistent and transboundary nature of the issue, further elucidation of the problem, its causes and effects must be prioritized, while simultaneously harmonizing regional and international approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- La Daana K Kanhai
- Department of Life Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago.
| | - Hamish Asmath
- The Institute of Marine Affairs, Hilltop Lane, Chaguaramas, Trinidad and Tobago
| | - Judith F Gobin
- Department of Life Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago
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Murano C, Vaccari L, Casotti R, Corsi I, Palumbo A. Occurrence of microfibres in wild specimens of adult sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus (Lamarck, 1816) from a coastal area of the central Mediterranean Sea. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2022; 176:113448. [PMID: 35217421 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.113448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2022] [Revised: 02/06/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
This study investigates the occurrence of anthropogenic fibres inside wild Paracentrotus lividus at a Mediterranean coastal area in 2020. From each sea urchin, the coelomic fluid was directly analysed while digestive tracts and gonads were removed, pre-treated with trypsin (0.3%) and digested with H2O2 (10%) before analysis. A total of 260 fibres and 1 fragment were found in 100 specimens, with an average of 2.6 items/individual. Fibres were more abundant in the digestive system, less in gonads and in the coelomic fluid, respectively. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis of representative fibres identified 67% natural (cotton-based) and 33% synthetic polymers (polyester) suggesting their origin from textiles, possibly released from laundry sewages. Overall, these results encourage further in-depth investigations on fibres accumulation and potential transfer through the trophic chain up to humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carola Murano
- Department of Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121 Naples, Italy; Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy.
| | - Lisa Vaccari
- Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A., S.S. 14 Km 163.5 in Area Science Park, 34149 Basovizza, Trieste, Italy
| | - Raffaella Casotti
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121 Naples, Italy
| | - Ilaria Corsi
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Anna Palumbo
- Department of Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121 Naples, Italy
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Microplastics: impacts on corals and other reef organisms. Emerg Top Life Sci 2022; 6:81-93. [PMID: 35137913 PMCID: PMC9023018 DOI: 10.1042/etls20210236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Plastic pollution in a growing problem globally. In addition to the continuous flow of plastic particles to the environment from direct sources, and through the natural wear and tear of items, the plastics that are already there have the potential to breakdown further and therefore provide an immense source of plastic particles. With the continued rise in levels of plastic production, and consequently increasing levels entering our marine environments it is imperative that we understand its impacts. There is evidence microplastic and nanoplastic (MNP) pose a serious threat to all the world's marine ecosystems and biota, across all taxa and trophic levels, having individual- to ecosystem-level impacts, although these impacts are not fully understood. Microplastics (MPs; 0.1–5 mm) have been consistently found associated with the biota, water and sediments of all coral reefs studied, but due to limitations in the current techniques, a knowledge gap exists for the level of nanoplastic (NP; <1 µm). This is of particular concern as it is this size fraction that is thought to pose the greatest risk due to their ability to translocate into different organs and across cell membranes. Furthermore, few studies have examined the interactions of MNP exposure and other anthropogenic stressors such as ocean acidification and rising temperature. To support the decision-making required to protect these ecosystems, an advancement in standardised methods for the assessment of both MP and NPs is essential. This knowledge, and that of predicted levels can then be used to determine potential impacts more accurately.
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10
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Bejarano S, Diemel V, Feuring A, Ghilardi M, Harder T. No short-term effect of sinking microplastics on heterotrophy or sediment clearing in the tropical coral Stylophora pistillata. Sci Rep 2022; 12:1468. [PMID: 35087129 PMCID: PMC8795188 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-05420-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Investigations of encounters between corals and microplastics have, to date, used particle concentrations that are several orders of magnitude above environmentally relevant levels. Here we investigate whether concentrations closer to values reported in tropical coral reefs affect sediment shedding and heterotrophy in reef-building corals. We show that single-pulse microplastic deposition elicits significantly more coral polyp retraction than comparable amounts of calcareous sediments. When deposited separately from sediments, microplastics remain longer on corals than sediments, through stronger adhesion and longer periods of examination by the coral polyps. Contamination of sediments with microplastics does not retard corals' sediment clearing rates. Rather, sediments speed-up microplastic shedding, possibly affecting its electrostatic behaviour. Heterotrophy rates are three times higher than microplastic ingestion rates when corals encounter microzooplankton (Artemia salina cysts) and microplastics separately. Exposed to cysts-microplastic combinations, corals feed preferentially on cysts regardless of microplastic concentration. Chronic-exposure experiments should test whether our conclusions hold true under environmental conditions typical of inshore marginal coral reefs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Bejarano
- Reef Systems Research Group, Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research (ZMT), Fahrenheitstraße 6, 28359, Bremen, Germany.
| | - Valeska Diemel
- Reef Systems Research Group, Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research (ZMT), Fahrenheitstraße 6, 28359, Bremen, Germany
- Department of Marine Ecology, Faculty of Biology and Chemistry, University of Bremen, Leobener Straße 6, 28359, Bremen, Germany
- Bund Für Umwelt Und Naturschutz (BUND) E.V., Am Dobben 44, 28203, Bremen, Germany
| | - Anna Feuring
- Reef Systems Research Group, Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research (ZMT), Fahrenheitstraße 6, 28359, Bremen, Germany
- Department of Marine Ecology, Faculty of Biology and Chemistry, University of Bremen, Leobener Straße 6, 28359, Bremen, Germany
- Biological Oceanography Department, Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research Warnemünde, Seestraße 15, D-18119, Rostock, Germany
| | - Mattia Ghilardi
- Reef Systems Research Group, Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research (ZMT), Fahrenheitstraße 6, 28359, Bremen, Germany
- Department of Marine Ecology, Faculty of Biology and Chemistry, University of Bremen, Leobener Straße 6, 28359, Bremen, Germany
| | - Tilmann Harder
- Department of Marine Ecology, Faculty of Biology and Chemistry, University of Bremen, Leobener Straße 6, 28359, Bremen, Germany
- Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, 27570, Bremerhaven, Germany
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