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Article ? AI-assigned paper type based on the abstract. Classification may not be perfect — flag errors using the feedback button. Tier 2 ? Original research — experimental, observational, or case-control study. Direct primary evidence. Human Health Effects Marine & Wildlife Sign in to save

Comparison of Short- and Long-Term Toxicity of Microplastics with Different Chemical Constituents on Button Polyps. (Protopalythoa sp.)

ACS Earth and Space Chemistry 2020 33 citations ? Citation count from OpenAlex, updated daily. May differ slightly from the publisher's own count.
Shiqi Jiang, Yuanyuan Zhang, Limin Feng, Limin Feng, Lei He, Chunxia Zhou, Pengzhi Hong, Shengli Sun, Hui Zhao, Yan‐Qiu Liang, Lei Ren, Yueqin Zhang, Jinjun Chen, Chengyong Li

Summary

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.

Polymers
PE PMMA PVC
Body Systems
Immune

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.

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