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Microplastics impair growth in two atlantic scleractinian coral species, Pseudodiploria clivosa and Acropora cervicornis
Citation:
Hankins, C., E. Moso, AND D. Lasseigne. Microplastics impair growth in two atlantic scleractinian coral species, Pseudodiploria clivosa and Acropora cervicornis. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION. Elsevier Science Ltd, New York, NY, 275:116649, (2021). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2021.116649
Impact/Purpose:
The prevalence of microplastics (<5 mm in size) in the marine environment is of increasing concern. While microplastics are ingested by aquatic organisms, the possible physical and toxic impacts on marine organisms, including coral, are not well understood. This manuscript describes a laboratory-based study to investigate ingestion and retention of microplastic particles of various size classes (ranging from 425 μm to 2.8 mm in diameter) by two species of scleractinian corals, and to evaluate effects of those microplastic particles on coral growth. The results of these experiments contribute to our understanding of the interactions between microplastics and coral and may help to inform decisions to manage and mitigate exposure to microplastics in the environment and the impacts on the health of marine organisms.
Description:
Scleractinian coral are experiencing global and regional stressors. Microplastics (<5 mm) are an additional stressor that may cause adverse effects on coral. Experiments were conducted to investigate ingestion size limits and retention times of microspheres in a two-day exposure as well as observing growth responses in a 12-week exposure in two Atlantic species, Pseudodiploria clivosa and Acropora cervicornis. In the two-day exposure, P. clivosa ingested a higher number of microspheres ranging in size from 425 μm–2.8 mm than A. cervicornis. Both species egested the majority of microspheres within 48 h of ingestion. In the long-term exposure, calcification and tissue surface area were negatively affected in the treatment group of both species. Exposure also negatively affected buoyant weight in A. cervicornis but not in P. clivosa. The results indicate that microplastics can affect growth responses, yet additional research is warranted to investigate potential synergistic impacts of microplastics and other stressors.
URLs/Downloads:
DOI: Microplastics impair growth in two atlantic scleractinian coral species, Pseudodiploria clivosa and Acropora cervicornis
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33571858/