We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Factors influencing the feeding responses of reef-building corals to microplastics
Summary
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.
Plastic pollution has become a problem for many marine organisms. The omnipresent microplastics (MPs) are of particular concern due to their effect on a variety of species, including reef-building corals. Corals have been found to interact with MPs, ingest, and even incorporate them into their skeletons. However, knowledge on what affects the responses of coral polyps to these indigestible particles is still constrained. Here, we aimed to unravel factors influencing the feeding responses of coral polyps to MPs. Particularly, we (I) assessed coral feeding responses (i.e., reaction, ingestion, and incorporation) to different MP polymers and shapes in the presence vs. absence of a biofilm and food during feeding trials. We (II) characterized polymer-biofilm-associated compounds to infer potential mechanistic processes underlying the observed differences. We (III) evaluated effects of food availability on polyp activity under continuous MPs exposure. We found that the polymer type most strongly influenced the feeding response, and that MP shape additionally affected ingestion and incorporation. While we detected species-specific differences in responses, the presence of a biofilm and food had only minor effects. We identified 11 polymer-biofilm-associated compounds with potential stimulating and toxic influence. Polyp activity was not altered by the prevalence of natural food. These findings suggest that the particle recognition mechanisms of corals are, although generally well suited to differentiate between MPs and natural particles, rely primarily on chemoreception of substances leaching from MP polymers, with mechanoreception contributing to shape-specific responses. We conclude that future assessments of coral-MPs interactions should consider polymer- and shape-specific effects, as these appear to be the key driver of the coral feeding response to MPs.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Chemoreception drives plastic consumption in a hard coral
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.
Feeding responses of reef-building corals provide species- and concentration-dependent risk assessment of microplastic
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
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.
Microplastic as an invisible threat to the coral reefs: Sources, toxicity mechanisms, policy intervention, and the way forward
This review examines how microplastics threaten coral reefs by causing physical damage, chemical toxicity, and disruption to coral biology. Microplastics can block coral feeding, carry harmful chemicals, and promote disease-causing bacteria on coral surfaces. While focused on coral ecosystems, the findings matter for human health because healthy reefs support fisheries and coastal communities that millions of people depend on.
Scleractinian corals incorporate microplastic particles: identification from a laboratory study
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.