We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Scleractinian coral microplastic ingestion: Potential calcification effects, size limits, and retention
AI summary Read the abstract
Two Caribbean coral species (Montastraea cavernosa and Orbicella faveolata) were tested for microplastic and microfiber ingestion, size preferences, and retention times, finding active ingestion of microbeads from 425 μm to 2.8 mm with the majority expelled within 48 hours and no effects on calcification rates at tested concentrations. The study establishes that scleractinian corals can ingest and expel microplastics of a wide size range without acute calcification effects, but raises concern about longer-term chronic exposure.
The impact that microplastics (<5 mm) have on scleractinian coral is largely unknown. This study investigated calcification effects, size limits, and retention times of microbeads and microfibers in two Caribbean species, Montastraea cavernosa and Orbicella faveolata, in a series of three experiments. No calcification effects were seen in the two-day exposure to a microbead concentration of 30 mg L. M. cavernosa and O. faveolata actively ingested microbeads ranging in size from 425 μm-2.8 mm, however, a 212-250 μm size class did not elicit a feeding response. The majority of microbeads were expelled within 48 h of ingestion. There was no difference in ingestion or retention times of 425-500 μm microbeads versus 3-5 mm long microfibers. M. cavernosa and O. faveolata have the ability to recognize and reject indigestible material, yet, there is still a need to study effects of energetics and microplastic contamination as a result of ingestion and egestion.
More Papers Like This
Scleractinian corals incorporate microplastic particles: identification from a laboratory study
AI summary Read the abstract
Laboratory experiments demonstrated that scleractinian corals actively incorporate microplastic particles during feeding, with ingestion rates varying by particle size and polymer type, raising concerns about chronic microplastic exposure in coral reef ecosystems.
Microplastic ingestion by coral as a function of the interaction between calyx and microplastic size
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that coral ingestion of microplastics is strongly influenced by the size relationship between coral calyx opening and microplastic particle size, with particles matching or slightly smaller than the calyx diameter being ingested at the highest rates, providing a mechanistic basis for assessing coral microplastic exposure.
Microplastics impair growth in two atlantic scleractinian coral species, Pseudodiploria clivosa and Acropora cervicornis
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers tested the effects of microplastic exposure on two Atlantic coral species and found that both ingested microplastic particles, with retention times varying by particle size. During a 12-week chronic exposure, both coral species showed significantly impaired growth compared to controls. The study provides evidence that microplastics represent an additional stressor for already-threatened reef-building corals.
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.
Patterns, dynamics and consequences of microplastic ingestion by the temperate coral, Astrangia poculata
AI summary Read the abstract
This study documented microplastic ingestion by the temperate coral Astrangia poculata in Rhode Island, finding that corals readily ingested plastic particles and retained them in their gastrovascular cavity for extended periods. The findings suggest that even non-tropical corals outside heavily polluted regions are regularly exposed to microplastics through their normal filter-feeding behavior.
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.