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Unlocking Passive Collection of Microplastics in Coral Reefs by Adhesion Measurements
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Researchers measured the adhesion forces of live elegance corals and found they trap microplastics primarily through strong surface mucus adhesion rather than ingestion, with a universal removal force barrier that works regardless of plastic type.
Microplastics (MPs) pollution poses a significant threat to marine ecosystems, with MPs accumulating from various sources and ultimately settling on the seabed. Notably, corals play a crucial role in capturing MPs, primarily through their surface mucus rather than ingestion. This study explores the mechanisms behind MP capture by live elegance corals, examining their interfacial forces in comparison to Scleractinia coral skeletons and model coral skins. Our findings reveal that live elegance corals exhibit strong adhesion forces that effectively trap MPs, a trait absent in other studied surfaces. Moreover, the consistent pull-off force required to remove MPs from live corals, regardless of plastic type (polystyrene or polyethylene), indicates a universal force barrier for scavengers. By leveraging traditional adhesion measurement techniques, our research underscores the essential function of coral mucus in MP capture and offers valuable insights for conservation strategies aimed at mitigating MP pollution in marine environments.
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Exploring Microplastic Interactions with Reef-Building Corals Across Flow Conditions
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Researchers examined how reef-building corals interact with microplastics under varying flow conditions, investigating whether active ingestion or passive adhesion dominates microplastic removal and which particle types and sizes are most readily captured by coral structures.
Adhesion to coral surface as a potential sink for marine microplastics
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This study found that coral surfaces can adsorb microplastic particles and act as a potential sink for marine plastics, with adhesion influenced by plastic polymer type and the biofilm coating on coral surfaces. Coral reefs may therefore not only be harmed by microplastic ingestion but also accumulate plastics from the surrounding water column.
Passive and Active Removal of Marine Microplastics by a Mushroom Coral (Danafungia scruposa)
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Researchers studied how the mushroom coral Danafungia scruposa removes microplastics from seawater through both active ingestion and passive adhesion to its surface, evaluating whether removal rates were influenced by microplastic properties and providing evidence that corals contribute to the 'missing microplastics' sink in ocean surface waters.
Transport and trapping of microplastics in coral reefs: a physical experimental investigation
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Researchers conducted physical experiments in a laboratory channel to study how microplastics are transported and trapped in simulated coral reef structures. Rough reef surfaces increased particle capture compared to flat beds. These findings help explain why coral reefs accumulate microplastics and inform predictions of plastic pollution impacts on biodiverse reef ecosystems.
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.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.