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Impact of polyethylene microplastics on coral Goniopora columna causing oxidative stress and histopathology damages
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Researchers exposed the coral Goniopora columna to different concentrations of polyethylene microplastics over seven days. They found that the microplastics accumulated on and inside the corals, reduced polyp length, disrupted zooxanthellae density, and triggered oxidative stress as indicated by changes in antioxidant enzyme activity and increased tissue damage. The findings suggest that microplastic pollution poses a significant threat to coral health through both physical and biochemical pathways.
In recent years, the increase of microplastics in the sea exerted a negative impact on coral health. This study has been undertaken to analyze the impact of microplastics on corals. Here, Goniopora columna was exposed to different concentrations of polyethylene microplastics (PE-MP). The daily polyps length and adaptability were recorded. Analysis of the zooxanthellae density and antioxidant activity of coral was done after 1, 3, 5 and 7 days. Further tissue morphology and accumulation of PE-MP were analyzed. The results showed that PE-MP at different concentrations can be adsorbed on the surface of corals and enter inside corals after 7 days. PE-MP at different concentrations reduced polyps length, adaptability and cause the changes in the density of zooxanthellae to be the reason for unbalancing of corals. PE-MP at different concentrations reduced the superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity after exposure to 1 day. PE-MP increased the catalase (CAT) activity at 100 mg/L after exposure; even after reducing the concentration has the same effect. PE-MP at various concentrations increased the glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity after exposure to 5 and 7 days. It also increased the glutathione transferase (GST) and glutathione (GSH) activity after exposure to 5 and 7 days. PE-MP at different concentrations increased the malondialdehyde (MDA) content after exposure from 1 to 7 days. Analysis of tissue morphology and tissue accumulation shows that different concentrations of PE-MP cause mesenteric atrophy, vacuole, and accumulation in the coral mesenteric. These results indicate that the PE-MP can impact the antioxidant system and hampers the function of enzymes responsible for detoxification of G. columna, increase lipid peroxide content and also cause tissue damage through accumulating in the coral mesenteric.
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