Interactive effects of microplastic pollution and heat stress on reef-building corals

Reichert, Jessica; Tirpitz, Vanessa; Anand, Rajshree; Bach, Katharina; Knopp, Jonas; Schubert, Patrick; Wilke, Thomas; Ziegler, Maren

doi:10.1016/j.envpol.2021.118010

Cited by 40 publications

(26 citation statements)

References 66 publications

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“…Although microplastics exacerbated the effects of temperature on bleaching in one species, it did not affect bleaching in three species, and even reduced it in one ( Reichert et al, 2021 ). Increased photosynthetic efficiency, upregulation of heat shock proteins, or increased heterotrophic feeding were potential explanations for why Montipora digitata bleached less when thermally stressed ( Reichert et al, 2021 ). However, Axworthy & Padilla-Gamino (2019) found corals reduced feeding on Artemia but not on microplastics following thermal stress and suggested this could cause an energy deficit.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 86%

“…However, only three studies to date have examined how microplastics and ocean warming interact in corals. Reichert et al (2021) found equivocal effects of microplastics on five species of coral. Although microplastics exacerbated the effects of temperature on bleaching in one species, it did not affect bleaching in three species, and even reduced it in one ( Reichert et al, 2021 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

“… Reichert et al (2021) found equivocal effects of microplastics on five species of coral. Although microplastics exacerbated the effects of temperature on bleaching in one species, it did not affect bleaching in three species, and even reduced it in one ( Reichert et al, 2021 ). Increased photosynthetic efficiency, upregulation of heat shock proteins, or increased heterotrophic feeding were potential explanations for why Montipora digitata bleached less when thermally stressed ( Reichert et al, 2021 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

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Microplastics do not affect bleaching of Acropora cervicornis at ambient or elevated temperatures

Plafcan

Stallings

2022

PeerJ

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Microplastic pollution can harm organisms and ecosystems such as coral reefs. Corals are important habitat-forming organisms that are sensitive to environmental conditions and have been declining due to stressors associated with climate change. Despite their ecological importance, it is unclear how corals may be affected by microplastics or if there are synergistic effects with rising ocean temperatures. To address this research gap, we experimentally examined the combined effects of environmentally relevant microplastic concentrations (i.e., the global average) and elevated temperatures on bleaching of the threatened Caribbean coral, Acropora cervicornis. In a controlled laboratory setting, we exposed coral fragments to orthogonally crossed treatment levels of low-density polyethylene microplastic beads (0 and 11.8 particles L−1) and water temperatures (ambient at 28 °C and elevated at 32 °C). Zooxanthellae densities were quantified after the 17-day experiment to measure the bleaching response. Regardless of microplastic treatment level, corals in the elevated temperature treatment were visibly bleached and necrotic (i.e., significant negative effect on zooxanthellae density) while those exposed to ambient temperature remained healthy. Thus, our study successfully elicited the expected bleaching response to a high-water temperature. However, we did not observe significant effects of microplastics at either individual (ambient temperature) or combined levels (elevated temperature). Although elevated temperatures remain a larger threat to corals, responses to microplastics are complex and may vary based on focal organisms or on plastic conditions (e.g., concentration, size, shape). Our findings add to a small but growing body of research on the effects of microplastics on corals, but further work is warranted in this emerging field to fully understand how sensitive ecosystems are affected by this pollutant.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 86%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

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Microplastics do not affect bleaching of Acropora cervicornis at ambient or elevated temperatures

Plafcan

Stallings

2022

PeerJ

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“…The pollution issues are very pronounced, especially in Southeast Asia (e.g., Heery et al, 2018;Adyasari et al, 2021;Reichert et al, 2021), and should not be underestimated also in other regions, especially concerning plastics and emerging pollutants in general, as highlighted in this RT by Angiolillo and Fortibuoni. Likewise, the negative impact of fishing activities is still underestimated in many regions, including developed countries, and especially regarding the deep biogenic reefs.…”

Section: Emerging Issuesmentioning

confidence: 81%

Editorial: Biogenic Reefs at Risk: Facing Globally Widespread Local Threats and Their Interaction With Climate Change

et al. 2021

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“…Furthermore, novel threats, such as the increase of pathogens linked to climate change or anthropogenic substances (e.g. emerging persistent organic pollutants, microplastics) and their interactions need to be considered as they might also play a role in benthic community changes (Lamb et al, 2018;Maynard et al, 2015;Reichert et al, 2021). Finally, it is not only vital to identify different alternative communities and mechanisms that lead to alternative communities, but to understand how these new configurations will affect reef functioning and services.…”

Section: Con Clus I On S and Future Direc Tionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Coral reef benthic community changes in the Anthropocene: Biogeographic heterogeneity, overlooked configurations, and methodology

Reverter

Helber

Rohde

et al. 2021

Global Change Biology

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Interactive effects of microplastic pollution and heat stress on reef-building corals

Cited by 40 publications

References 66 publications

Microplastics do not affect bleaching of Acropora cervicornis at ambient or elevated temperatures

Microplastics do not affect bleaching of Acropora cervicornis at ambient or elevated temperatures

Editorial: Biogenic Reefs at Risk: Facing Globally Widespread Local Threats and Their Interaction With Climate Change

Coral reef benthic community changes in the Anthropocene: Biogeographic heterogeneity, overlooked configurations, and methodology

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