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Do deepwater corals eat microplastics?
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This entry links to a crowdfunding experiment on the Experiment.io platform asking whether deep-water corals ingest microplastics. It represents a citizen-science or exploratory research project rather than a full peer-reviewed study.
Experiment is an online platform for funding and sharing scientific discoveries. Push the boundaries of knowledge in biology, chemistry, medicine, physics, computer science, paleontology, economics, engineering, neuroscience, and more.
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Metabolizing Microplastics for Human Health
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Researchers proposed a crowdfunded citizen science project on the Experiment platform to investigate whether human metabolic processes can break down microplastics, exploring the hypothesis that gut microbiota or enzymatic activity might contribute to microplastic degradation in the human body. The project aimed to gather preliminary evidence on the fate of ingested microplastics in human physiology.
Macro- and microplastics affect cold-water corals growth, feeding and behaviour
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Both macro- and microplastics negatively affected the growth, feeding behavior, and overall condition of cold-water corals in laboratory experiments, with microplastics causing more pronounced effects at lower concentrations. The findings raise concerns about the health of deep-sea coral reefs as plastic debris accumulates at depth.
How can we measure marine microplastics in a low-cost and globally scalable way?
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This entry describes a crowdfunding proposal on an online science platform seeking support for developing low-cost, globally scalable methods to measure marine microplastics. Affordable monitoring tools are critical for expanding understanding of ocean plastic contamination beyond what expensive research vessels can cover.
Microplastic ingestion by scleractinian corals
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Researchers documented for the first time that scleractinian corals on Australia's Great Barrier Reef actively ingest microplastics from surrounding water, raising serious concerns that plastic pollution could impair the feeding and health of reef-building corals already stressed by warming oceans.
Effects of Microplastics on Coral Xenia elongata: an Experimental Approach
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Researchers experimentally exposed coral Xenia elongata to microplastics in tank conditions to assess ingestion and tissue effects. Corals ingested microplastic particles when available and showed early signs of zooxanthellae disruption and tissue damage, contributing experimental evidence to field observations of coral-microplastic interactions.
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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.