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Chemoreception drives plastic consumption in a hard coral
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Researchers found that reef-building corals actively ingest microplastics because the plastic contains chemical attractants that mimic food, and that roughly 8% of ingested particles are retained for 24 hours or more — suggesting chemoreception-driven consumption could have real energetic and toxicological consequences for coral reefs.
The drivers behind microplastic (up to 5mm in diameter) consumption by animals are uncertain and impacts on foundational species are poorly understood. We investigated consumption of weathered, unfouled, biofouled, pre-production and microbe-free National Institute of Standards plastic by a scleractinian coral that relies on chemosensory cues for feeding. Experiment one found that corals ingested many plastic types while mostly ignoring organic-free sand, suggesting that plastic contains phagostimulents. Experiment two found that corals ingested more plastic that wasn't covered in a microbial biofilm than plastics that were biofilmed. Additionally, corals retained ~8% of ingested plastic for 24h or more and retained particles appeared stuck in corals, with consequences for energetics, pollutant toxicity and trophic transfer. The potential for chemoreception to drive plastic consumption in marine taxa has implications for conservation.
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Factors influencing the feeding responses of reef-building corals to microplastics
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Scientists found that coral reefs—which protect coastlines and support fish we eat—are eating tiny plastic particles based mainly on the chemical smell of different plastic types. The corals can somewhat tell the difference between plastic and real food, but they still consume harmful plastic pieces that get stuck in their bodies. This matters because healthier coral reefs mean better ocean ecosystems that provide food and coastal protection for millions of people.
Scleractinian corals incorporate microplastic particles: identification from a laboratory study
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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.
Feeding responses of reef-building corals provide species- and concentration-dependent risk assessment of microplastic
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This study quantitatively assessed how reef-building coral species feed on microplastic particles, comparing feeding responses across species and concentrations relative to natural food particles. Results showed species-specific and concentration-dependent ingestion, providing a more nuanced risk assessment framework for microplastic impacts on corals.
Responses of reef building corals to microplastic exposure
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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.
Exploring Microplastic Interactions with Reef-Building Corals Across Flow Conditions
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Researchers examined how reef-building corals interact with microplastics under varying flow conditions, investigating whether active ingestion or passive adhesion dominates microplastic removal and which particle types and sizes are most readily captured by coral structures.
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.