We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
[Effects of Microplastic Exposure on the Community Structure and Function of Symbiotic Bacteria in Sinularia microclavata].
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that exposure to polyamide microplastics disrupts the community structure and function of symbiotic bacteria in the soft coral Sinularia microclavata, with effects varying by concentration, raising concerns about microplastic impacts on coral health in marine environments.
Microplastics are widely distributed in the marine environment and are harmful to the health of marine organisms (including corals). However, studies on the impact of microplastics on coral have been very limited, and the specific mechanism of their impact is not clear. Therefore, in this study, microplastic PA, which is common in the marine environment, was selected to conduct a 7-day microplastic exposure experiment on Sinularia microclavata. The effects of microplastic exposure at different times on the diversity, community structure, and function of the symbiotic bacterial community of coral were analyzed using high-throughput sequencing technology. The α-diversity of the symbiotic bacterial community of coral first decreased and then increased with the exposure time of microplastics. The analysis of β-diversity and microbial community composition showed that microplastic exposure caused significant changes in the symbiotic bacterial community of coral, and the bacterial community composition also changed with the exposure time. A total of 49 phyla, 152 classes, 363 orders, 634 families, and 1390 genera were detected. At the phylum level, Proteobacteria was the dominant taxa in all samples, but the relative abundance varied among samples. Microplastic exposure increased the abundance of Proteobacteria, Chloroflexi, Firmicutes, Actinobacteriota, Bacteroidota, and Acidobacteriota. At the genus level, Ralstonia, Acinetobacter, and Delftia were the dominant taxa of symbiotic bacteria of coral after microplastic exposure. PICRUSt functional prediction indicated that functions of the coral symbiotic bacterial community, including signal transduction, cellular community prokaryotes, xenobiotics biodegradation and metabolism, and cell motility, decreased after microplastic exposure on coral. BugBase phenotype predictions indicated that microplastic exposure altered three phenotypes (pathogenic, anaerobic, and oxidative stress-tolerant) of the coral symbiotic bacterial community. FAPROTAX functional predictions indicated that microplastic exposure caused significant changes in functions such as the symbiotic relationship between coral symbiotic bacteria and the host, carbon and nitrogen cycling, and photosynthesis. This study provided basic data on the mechanism of microplastic impacts on corals and microplastics ecotoxicology.
More Papers Like This
Investigating the composition and distribution of microplastics surface biofilms in coral areas
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers investigated the composition and distribution of microbial biofilms on microplastic surfaces collected from coral reef areas. The study found that microplastics harbor distinct microbial communities including potentially pathogenic species, raising concerns that microplastic pollution may contribute to coral disease by serving as vectors for harmful microorganisms in reef ecosystems.
Beyond plastisphere transfer, deep corals are subject to dysbiosis when exposed to plastics
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers investigated the impact of colonized macro- and microplastics on the microbiome of the cold-water coral Lophelia pertusa, finding that plastic exposure caused dysbiosis in the coral-associated bacterial community beyond simple plastisphere transfer, suggesting early biological impacts on deep-sea coral reefs.
Physiological and biochemical effects of microplastics on corals: Environmental and ecological impacts and mitigation strategies and policy options
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers review how microplastic ingestion disrupts coral physiology through oxidative stress, impaired larval settlement, reduced feeding efficiency, and vectoring of co-contaminants including heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants, with microplastic-induced bleaching linked to destabilization of the anthozoan-algae symbiosis.
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.
Ecological responses of coral reef to polyethylene microplastics in community structure and extracellular polymeric substances
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers investigated how polyethylene microplastics affect coral reef communities, finding that microplastic exposure altered extracellular polymeric substance production and community structure in scleractinian coral, indicating ecological stress responses.
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.