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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Microplastics Not Shown to Affect Coral Health in the Field Like in Laboratory Studies
ClearIs Wild Marine Biota Affected by Microplastics?
This review analyzed research on the effects of microplastics on wild marine organisms and found that out of 395 articles identified, only 22 presented data on effects in wild species, with just 12 documenting negative impacts. Researchers found that effects observed in wild organisms were generally less severe than those seen under laboratory conditions. The study highlights a significant gap between experimental findings and what is observed in natural marine environments.
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.
Contamination of microplastics in tropical coral reef ecosystems of Sri Lanka
Researchers investigated microplastic contamination across ten coral reef ecosystems in Sri Lanka, finding microplastics in corals, water, and sediments with fibers and fragments being the dominant types, representing a previously unquantified threat to tropical reef systems.
First detection of microplastics in reef-building corals from a Maldivian atoll
Researchers conducted the first survey of microplastic contamination in reef-building corals from a Maldivian atoll, examining 38 coral colonies across three species. They found that 58% of colonies contained microplastic particles in the 25-150 micrometer size range. The study provides initial evidence that even remote coral reef ecosystems in the Indian Ocean are affected by microplastic pollution, raising concerns about potential impacts on coral health.
Unveiling the hidden threat of microplastics to coral reefs in remote South Atlantic islands
Researchers investigated microplastic contamination of coral reefs on remote South Atlantic islands, finding widespread microplastic presence in reef environments and raising concerns about the physiological and ecological harm to coral ecosystems far from human population centers.
Investigating the composition and distribution of microplastics surface biofilms in coral areas
Researchers investigated the composition and distribution of microbial biofilms on microplastic surfaces collected from coral reef areas. The study found that microplastics harbor distinct microbial communities including potentially pathogenic species, raising concerns that microplastic pollution may contribute to coral disease by serving as vectors for harmful microorganisms in reef ecosystems.
Microplastics in corals: An emergent threat
A summary of recent research found that microplastics impair coral health through species-specific mechanisms including reduced growth, altered enzymatic activity, increased mucus production, disrupted coral-algae symbiosis, and bleaching — with effects observed even at concentrations below current environmental maxima.
Impacts of microplastics on growth and health of hermatypic corals are species-specific
Researchers exposed four genera of reef-building corals to realistic concentrations of microplastics over six months to assess long-term impacts. They found that effects on coral growth and health were species-specific, with some corals showing reduced calcification while others appeared unaffected. The study highlights that microplastic pollution may threaten certain coral species more than others, complicating predictions about reef resilience.
Interactive effects of microplastic pollution and heat stress on reef-building corals
Researchers tested the combined effects of microplastic pollution and heat stress on five reef-building coral species in controlled laboratory experiments. They found that while heat stress caused significant bleaching, tissue death, and reduced photosynthetic efficiency, microplastics alone had only minor effects at ambient temperatures, suggesting that climate change remains a far greater threat to coral reefs than microplastic pollution.
Coral reef attributes associated with microplastic exposure
Researchers measured microplastic concentrations in ocean water and coral tissue samples from two coral species in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Florida, providing the first documentation of microplastics in corals from these locations. Most particles identified were cotton or polyester fibers. Surprisingly, higher microplastic levels in coral tissue were positively associated with coral density, rugosity, and percent coral cover, suggesting that microplastics may not have immediate adverse effects on reef health.
Macro- and microplastics affect cold-water corals growth, feeding and behaviour
Both macro- and microplastics negatively affected the growth, feeding behavior, and overall condition of cold-water corals in laboratory experiments, with microplastics causing more pronounced effects at lower concentrations. The findings raise concerns about the health of deep-sea coral reefs as plastic debris accumulates at depth.
Research progress on the effects of microplastics on coral reef ecosystems
This review synthesized current knowledge on microplastic pollution in coral reef ecosystems, covering global distribution of reef-associated microplastics, ingestion by reef organisms, and impacts on coral health. Microplastics were found to impair coral feeding, disrupt zooxanthellae, transfer toxins to reef organisms, and potentially contribute to coral reef degradation.
Plastics are a new threat to Palau’s coral reefs
Researchers detected microplastics in seawater, sediments, and beach sand around the pristine coral reef system of Palau, confirming that even remote, well-protected marine environments are not free from plastic pollution and highlighting the global reach of this contamination.
Microplastics and plankton: Knowledge from laboratory and field studies to distinguish contamination from pollution
Of 147 publications on microplastics and plankton, 70% were laboratory studies, and field-collected microplastics differed substantially from those used in experiments, making lab-to-field comparisons unreliable; population- and ecosystem-level pollution effects in natural settings remain largely unstudied.
Is there any consistency between the microplastics found in the field and those used in laboratory experiments?
This study compared the types of microplastics found in field samples with those used in laboratory toxicity tests, finding major inconsistencies in polymer type, size, and shape. The mismatch raises concerns that most lab-based toxicity studies may not accurately predict the effects of microplastics in real environmental conditions.
The Distribution and Impact of Microplastics on Coral Reefs: an Ecosystem Approach
This study examines the distribution and ecological impact of microplastics on coral reef ecosystems, providing a Ph.D.-level ecosystem approach to understanding how microplastic pollution affects reef health and biodiversity.
Assessment of microplastic pollution in corals, seawater, and marine sediments in the Gulf of Thailand
Researchers assessed microplastic occurrence, abundance, and characteristics in coral, seawater, and sediment samples from two reef sites in the Gulf of Thailand, detecting microplastics in all coral samples at concentrations ranging from 0.24 to 2.60 particles per gram and finding spatial variability across reef species and sites.
Impact of micro-and nanoplastic contamination on reef-building corals
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.
Transport and trapping of microplastics in coral reefs: a physical experimental investigation
Researchers conducted physical experiments in a laboratory channel to study how microplastics are transported and trapped in simulated coral reef structures. Rough reef surfaces increased particle capture compared to flat beds. These findings help explain why coral reefs accumulate microplastics and inform predictions of plastic pollution impacts on biodiverse reef ecosystems.
Exploring Microplastic Interactions with Reef-Building Corals Across Flow Conditions
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.
Effects of microplastics on bivalves: Are experimental settings reflecting conditions in the field?
A critical comparison of experimental microplastic studies on bivalves found that most laboratory studies used particle concentrations far exceeding environmental levels and polymer types that differ from field observations, concluding that many reported toxic effects may not be ecologically relevant and calling for environmentally realistic experimental designs.
Microplastics: impacts on corals and other reef organisms
This study reviewed the growing body of evidence on how microplastics and nanoplastics affect corals and other reef organisms. Researchers found that these plastic particles can impair coral feeding, growth, and reproduction, and may worsen the effects of other stressors like ocean warming. The review highlights that plastic pollution represents an additional serious threat to already vulnerable reef ecosystems worldwide.
Impacts of microplastics on reef-building corals: Disentangling the contribution of the chain scission products released by weathering
Researchers investigated how microplastics harm reef-building corals by separating the effects of physical contact from the chemical leachates released as plastics degrade. They found that while physical interaction with the particles caused immediate tissue damage, the chemical breakdown products from aged plastics created additional toxic effects. The study highlights that weathered microplastics pose a compound threat to coral health through both mechanical abrasion and chemical contamination.
Microplastic exposure studies should be environmentally realistic
Researchers argue that many laboratory studies on microplastic effects use concentrations far higher than what is actually found in the environment, which can lead to misleading conclusions about real-world risks. They call for experiments that better reflect environmental conditions, including realistic particle sizes, shapes, and concentrations. The study emphasizes that more environmentally relevant research is needed to accurately assess the true ecological threat of microplastic pollution.