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Microplastic pollution in stony coral skeletons and tissues: A case study of accumulation and interrelationship in South Penghu Marine National Park, Taiwan Strait
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This case study examined microplastic accumulation in the skeletons and tissues of stony corals, finding that corals both ingest and physically incorporate plastic particles into their carbonate structures. The results indicate microplastics can become permanently embedded in coral skeletons, with potential long-term effects on reef health.
Microplastics (MPs) pose a growing threat to coral reef ecosystems worldwide. However, data on MP contamination in coral reefs remain limited, hampering accurate ecological risk assessment. This study investigated MP contamination in coral reefs at South Penghu Marine National Park, analyzing 40 samples from 31 coral species. The average MP abundance was 0.32 ± 0.32 MPs/g wet weight, and the mean MP abundance in the coral tissues (0.26 ± 0.26 MPs/g ww) was significantly higher than that in the coral skeleton (0.08 ± 0.10 MPs/g ww). Most MPs were small (<1 mm: >60 %), fibrous (99.7 %), and primarily composed of rayon (59.8 %) and polyester (27.5 %). Significant correlations were found among MP abundance in whole corals, coral tissues, and coral skeletons. The correlation equation established in this study, linking coral skeleton, tissue, and whole corals, can facilitate a more comprehensive understanding of MP pollution level and its associated risks in coral reef environments. Notably, monofilament overgrowth was observed, highlighting the impact of nearby fisheries and recreational activities on MP contamination. These findings provide valuable field-based data on MP pollution levels and the associated risks to corals and offer a novel tool for assessing MP accumulation and potential risks in coral ecosystems.
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Microplastic pollution in tropical coral reef ecosystems from the coastal South China Sea and their impacts on corals in situ
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Researchers studied microplastic contamination in coral reef ecosystems off southern China, finding plastic particles in seawater, sediment, corals, shellfish, and fish. Different coral species absorbed microplastics at different rates, with smaller particles penetrating deeper into coral tissue. Since coral reefs support fisheries and coastal communities, this contamination could affect both marine ecosystems and the seafood that people eat.
Differential enrichment and physiological impacts of ingested microplastics in scleractinian corals in situ
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Researchers found microplastics in scleractinian corals along the east coast of Hainan Island in the South China Sea, with average concentrations of 4.97 particles per square centimetre in coral tissue, alongside contamination in Tridacnidae, Trochidae, and fish intestines. The characteristics of microplastics in organisms differed from those in surrounding seawater and sediment, indicating selective enrichment during ingestion.
Reef‐building corals act as long‐term sink for microplastic
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Coral reef structures were shown to act as long-term sinks for microplastics, with microplastics accumulating in reef framework interstices and sediments at higher concentrations than surrounding seawater, potentially contributing to the resolution of the missing plastic problem in ocean budgets.
Responses of reef building corals to microplastic exposure
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Researchers exposed six species of small-polyp stony corals to polyethylene microplastics to characterize their responses and potential health effects. They found that corals interacted with the particles through ingestion and adhesion, with responses varying by species and coral morphology. The study suggests that microplastic exposure could affect reef-building corals, which are already under stress from climate change and ocean acidification.
Scleractinian corals incorporate microplastic particles: identification from a laboratory study
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Laboratory experiments demonstrated that scleractinian corals actively incorporate microplastic particles during feeding, with ingestion rates varying by particle size and polymer type, raising concerns about chronic microplastic exposure in coral reef 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.