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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Response of bleached and symbiotic sea anemones to plastic microfiber exposure

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Author(s):
de Orte, Manoela Romano [1] ; Clowez, Sophie [2] ; Caldeira, Ken [1]
Total Authors: 3
Affiliation:
[1] Carnegie Inst Sci, Dept Global Ecol, Stanford, CA 94305 - USA
[2] Carnegie Inst Sci, Dept Plant Biol, 290 Panama St, Stanford, CA 94305 - USA
Total Affiliations: 2
Document type: Journal article
Source: Environmental Pollution; v. 249, p. 512-517, JUN 2019.
Web of Science Citations: 4
Abstract

Microplastics are emerging contaminants in the marine environment. They enter the ocean in a variety of sizes and shapes, with plastic microfiber being the prevalent form in seawater and in the guts of biota. Most of the laboratory experiments on microplastics has been performed with spheres, so knowledge on the interactions of microfibers and marine organisms is limited. In this study we examined the ingestion of microfibers by the sea anemone Aiptasia pallida using three different types of polymers: nylon, polyester and polypropylene. The polymers were offered to both symbiotic (with algal symbionts) and bleached (without algal symbionts) anemones. The polymers were introduced either alone or mixed with brine shrimp homogenate. We observed a higher percentage of nylon ingestion compared to the other polymers when plastic was offered in the absence of shrimp. In contrast, we observed over 80% of the anemones taking up all types of polymers when the plastics were offered in the presence of shrimp. Retention time differed significantly between symbiotic and bleached anemones with faster egestion in symbiotic anemones. Our results suggest that ingestion of microfibers by sea anemones is dependent both on the type of polymers and on the presence of chemical cues of prey in seawater. The decreased ability of bleached anemones to reject plastic microfiber indicates that the susceptibility of anthozoans to plastic pollution is exacerbated by previous exposure to other stressors. This is particularly concerning given that coral reef ecosystems are facing increases in the frequency and intensity of bleaching events due to ocean warming. (C) 2019 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 17/06686-2 - Evaluating the effects of local adaptation to ocean acidification on mussels in the presence of other stressor
Grantee:Manoela Romanó de Orte
Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor