We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Effect of micro-plastic particles on coral reef foraminifera
AI summary Read the abstract
Three-week exposure experiments on two species of symbiont-bearing foraminifera found that polystyrene microplastics disrupted isotopic signatures, photosynthesis, and growth in these ecologically important marine protists.
Foraminifera are single-celled protists which are important mediators of the marine carbon cycle. In our study, we explored the potential impact of polystyrene (PS) microplastic particles on two symbiont-bearing large benthic foraminifera species-Heterostegina depressa and Amphistegina lobifera-over a period of three weeks, employing three different approaches: investigating (1) stable isotope (SI) incorporation-via C- and N-labelled substrates-of the foraminifera to assess their metabolic activity, (2) photosynthetic efficiency of the symbiotic diatoms using imaging PAM fluorometry, and (3) microscopic enumeration of accumulation of PS microplastic particles inside the foraminiferal test. The active feeder A. lobifera incorporated significantly more PS particles inside the cytoplasm than the non-feeding H. depressa, the latter accumulating the beads on the test surface. Photosynthetic area of the symbionts tended to decrease in the presence of microplastic particles in both species, suggesting that the foraminiferal host cells started to digest their diatom symbionts. Compared to the control, the presence of microplastic particles lead to reduced SI uptake in A. lobifera, which indicates inhibition of inorganic carbon and nitrogen assimilation. Competition for particulate food uptake was demonstrated between algae and microplastic particles of similar size. Based on our results, both species seem to be sensitive to microplastic pollution, with non-feeding H. depressa being more strongly affected.
More Papers Like This
Response of coral reef dinoflagellates to nanoplastics under experimental conditions
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed symbiotic dinoflagellates from coral reefs to polystyrene nanoplastics and found that cell growth and aggregation were significantly reduced after 10 days. The findings suggest that nanoplastic pollution could harm the tiny algae that are essential to coral reef health, with potential consequences for reef ecosystems.
Microplastics inhibit the growth of endosymbiotic Symbiodinium tridacnidorum by altering photosynthesis and bacterial community
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed a type of algae that lives inside coral to polystyrene microplastics and found that the particles slowed cell growth and reduced photosynthesis. At higher concentrations, the microplastics clumped together with the algal cells and caused physical damage. The findings suggest that microplastic pollution could harm coral reef ecosystems by disrupting the essential relationship between corals and their symbiotic algae.
Polystyrene nanoplastics impair the photosynthetic capacities of Symbiodiniaceae and promote coral bleaching
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that polystyrene nanoplastics at ecologically relevant concentrations impaired the photosynthetic capacity of Symbiodiniaceae algae and promoted coral bleaching, demonstrating that nanoplastic pollution poses a direct threat to coral-symbiont stability.
Heterotrophic Dinoflagellate Growth and Grazing Rates Reduced by Microplastic Ingestion
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that polystyrene microplastic ingestion significantly reduced the growth and grazing rates of heterotrophic dinoflagellates, suggesting that microplastic pollution could disrupt marine microbial food webs at the single-celled predator level.
Microplastic exposure represses the growth of endosymbiotic dinoflagellate Cladocopium goreaui in culture through affecting its apoptosis and metabolism
AI summary Read the abstract
The coral symbiont alga Cladocopium goreaui was exposed to polystyrene microplastics for one week, resulting in reduced cell density and size, increased oxidative stress markers, and elevated apoptosis indicators. The findings suggest microplastics disrupt the physiology of reef-building coral symbionts, with implications for coral health.
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.