We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Comparison of Short- and Long-Term Toxicity of Microplastics with Different Chemical Constituents on Button Polyps. (Protopalythoa sp.)
AI summary Read the abstract
Short-term and long-term toxicity of three types of microplastics — PVC, polystyrene, and polyethylene — were compared using button polyps (Protopalythoa sp.) as a coral model. Toxicity varied by polymer type and exposure duration, with longer exposures revealing effects not apparent in short-term tests.
To date, several studies have investigated the influence of micoplastics (MPs) on scleractinian coral. However, research of MPs on button polyps (Protopalythoa sp.) is still in its infancy. This study aimed to assess the toxic effects induced by the presence of three types of MPs, namely, poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC), polyethylene (PE), and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), on button polyps (Protopalythoa sp.) after short (96 h)- and long (28 day)-term exposure. The results showed that MPs can adhere to the coral surface and enter the coral body, which causes coral to secrete mucus and lose symbiotic zooxanthellae. Moreover, the chlorophyll content of coral and the levels of several metabolic-related enzymes including glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), lipid peroxide (LPO), glutathione S-transferase (GST), and alkaline phosphatase (AKP) were measured. The results indicate type- and time-dependent cytotoxic effects of MPs. On short-term exposure, the MPs cause the corals to produce a mass of peroxides, which also initiate their immune and detoxification systems. After long-term exposure, the immunocompetence, photosynthetic efficiency, and oxidation resistance of corals were damaged to varying degrees by MPs.
More Papers Like This
Responses of reef building corals to microplastic exposure
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed six species of small-polyp stony corals to polyethylene microplastics to characterize their responses and potential health effects. They found that corals interacted with the particles through ingestion and adhesion, with responses varying by species and coral morphology. The study suggests that microplastic exposure could affect reef-building corals, which are already under stress from climate change and ocean acidification.
Influence of the polymer type on the impact of microplastic particles
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers compared the cellular effects of polystyrene, polyethylene, PVC, and PLA microparticles on murine macrophages and epithelial cells, assessing uptake and cytotoxicity. All polymer types were ingested by macrophages, but the degree of cytotoxicity varied by polymer composition.
Impact of micro-and nanoplastic contamination on reef-building corals
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed two tropical coral species to micro- and nanoplastics of varying polymer types and assessed bleaching, symbiont loss, and tissue damage. Both species showed stress responses including reduced photosynthetic efficiency and partial bleaching, with effects varying by plastic type and size, suggesting reef-building corals are vulnerable to plastic pollution.
Polymer identity determines nanoplastic toxicity: A toxicokinetic–toxicodynamic analysis
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers compared the toxicity of four nanoplastic polymer types in a freshwater protozoan model and found that polymer chemistry — not just intracellular dose — governs toxic potential, with PVC producing the strongest cellular damage while polystyrene, the most widely studied polymer, was actually the least potent.
Physiological responses of Mediterranean octocorals to prolonged exposure to ecologically relevant microplastic concentrations
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed two Mediterranean gorgonian coral species to a mixture of PET, polystyrene, and polypropylene microplastics for three months and assessed their physiological responses. They found that the corals ingested microplastics and showed measurable changes in respiration and feeding performance, though responses varied between species. The study provides evidence that even ecologically relevant concentrations of microplastics can affect the health of habitat-forming octocorals over extended exposure periods.
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.