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Invasion and ecological impact of the biofouling tube worm Hydroides elegans (Polychaeta: Serpulidae) in Korean coastal waters
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The invasive tube worm Hydroides elegans, discovered on a Korean research vessel in 2019, was found to preferentially colonize PE and PET plastic panels over PP and EPS in mesocosm experiments, suggesting that plastic debris serves as a vector for this biofouling species in Korean coastal waters.
Biofouling, the colonization of submerged surfaces by organisms including microorganisms, plants, algae, and animals, involves both natural and artificial environments. The serpulid worm Hydroides elegans , known as an invasive species in global port areas, creates extensive aggregations of calcareous tubes. In 2019, H. elegans was found attached to the research vessel ISABU in Korea, and a phylogenetic analysis was conducted to identify the species and determine its genetic characteristics. Following its detection, mesocosm experiments with plastic panels (PP, PE, PET, and EPS) were undertaken to investigate its recruitment and adaptation processes within new ecosystems. During the 12-week experiment, the biomass of H. elegans increased on all plastic types, significantly contributing to the overall biomass accumulation. This invasive species has replaced the previously prevalent native species Hydroides ezoensis , achieving dominance over other taxonomic groups in biomass. These findings demonstrate the significant ecological disruptions caused by non-indigenous species introduced through maritime activities, highlighting the urgent need for enhanced preventative and monitoring strategies
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Ingestion of microplastics by free-living marine nematodes, especially Enoplolaimus spp., in Mallipo Beach, South Korea
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Scientists found that marine nematodes—tiny worms living in beach sediments in South Korea—ingested microplastics, with some species taking up more than others. This shows microplastics are entering the base of marine food webs through sediment-dwelling organisms, potentially affecting entire ecosystems.
Marine Plastic Debris Entrapped in Tube Decorations of Plumed Worm: Evidence of a Novel Biological Sink in Intertidal Mudflats
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Scientists studying mudflats in South Korea found that a marine worm called Diopatra builds its protective tubes using plastic fibers—mostly bits of old fishing gear—instead of natural materials, with every single tube tested containing plastic. Surprisingly, these tubes held far more plastic than what's typically found by measuring the surrounding mud or in other animals that eat plastic by accident, meaning current testing methods may be missing a lot of plastic pollution hiding in coastal ecosystems. Since these mudflats are part of the food chain that eventually connects to seafood on our plates, this finding matters for understanding
Attached Macroinvertebrates Inhabiting Marine Plastic Debris from the Beach and Port Areas of the Southern Sea of Korea
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Researchers found that marine plastic debris collected from Korean beaches and ports hosts dozens of macroinvertebrate species, with fishing and aquaculture plastics supporting more species than land-origin packaging plastics, suggesting longer sea exposure and rougher material texture promote greater organism colonization.
Abundance of microplastic in different coastal areas using Phragmatopoma caudata (Kroyer in Morch, 1863) (Polychaeta: Sabellariidae) as an indicator
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Researchers used the reef-building polychaete Phragmatopoma caudata as a bioindicator to assess microplastic abundance across different coastal areas of Brazil. They found that filter-feeding and suspension-feeding organisms like this tube worm incorporate microplastics from their environment, making them useful monitors of coastal plastic pollution.
Quantitative evaluation of microplastics in colonies of Phragmatopoma caudata Krøyer in Mörch, 1863 (Polychaeta-Sabellariidae): Analysis in sandcastles and tissues and identification via Raman spectroscopy
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Researchers found microplastics embedded in the sand tubes and body tissues of Phragmatopoma caudata, a tube-building marine worm that constructs its home from sand grains. This study shows that filter-feeding and sediment-associated organisms incorporate microplastics into their structures, spreading plastic contamination through marine ecosystems.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.