Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:
http://hdl.handle.net/10773/37041
Title: | Do microplastics affect the zoanthid Zoanthus sociatus? |
Author: | Rocha, R. J. M. Rodrigues, A. C. M. Campos, D. Cícero, L. H. Costa, A. P. L. Silva, D. A. M. Oliveira, M. Soares, A. M. V. M. Patrício Silva, A. L. |
Keywords: | Corals Photobiology Oxidative stress Low-density polyethylene Polyvinyl chloride |
Issue Date: | 15-Apr-2020 |
Publisher: | Elsevier |
Abstract: | Microplastics (1 μm-5 mm), a ubiquitous and persistent marine pollutant, pose a severe threat to coral reefs when recently associated with physiological distress and increased diseases on corals. Studies conducted so far have only reported effects on scleractinian species. Knowledge about its effects on other corals (e.g. Order Zoantharia) remains uncovered, and responses at biochemical levels remain poorly documented. This study aimed to assess the potential effects induced by the presence of microplastics (1 and 10 mg L-1 low-density polyethylene, LDPE MP, or polyvinyl chloride, PVC MP) in the tropical and subtropical cosmopolitan species Zoanthus sociatus (order Zoantharia. Anthozoa: Hexacorallia), at organism level (survival and behaviour), endosymbionts (photosynthetic efficiency) and the cellular level (oxidative stress, detoxification capacity and energy metabolism). In a short-term exposure (96 h), this species was more sensitive to PVC MP. The presence of this polymer at a concentration of 10 mg L-1 caused a ten-fold higher adhesion to the coral epidermis, increased photosynthetic efficiency, lipid peroxidation, and antioxidant defences; without, however, inducing energetic costs. Although the observed physiological and biochemical effects did not compromise Z. sociatus survival in the short term, it does not rule out potential long-term (cumulative) effects that could endanger this and other physiologically similar species that underlie coral reefs. |
Peer review: | yes |
URI: | http://hdl.handle.net/10773/37041 |
DOI: | 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.136659 |
ISSN: | 0048-9697 |
Appears in Collections: | CESAM - Artigos DBio - Artigos |
Files in This Item:
File | Description | Size | Format | |
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Do microplastics affect the zoanthid Zoanthus sociatus.pdf | 2.79 MB | Adobe PDF | View/Open |
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