Effects of Microplastics on Coral Xenia elongata: an Experimental Approach

Authors

  • Beatriz Carine Gazzola Prieto Laboratory of Structural and Functional Ecology of Ecosystems, Paulista University (UNIP), Sorocaba, SP, Brazil https://orcid.org/0009-0007-1869-6236
  • Giovanna Martinelli Botan Laboratory of Structural and Functional Ecology of Ecosystems, Paulista University (UNIP), Sorocaba, SP, Brazil https://orcid.org/0009-0009-2470-4778
  • Welber Senteio Smith Postgraduate Program in Environmental and Experimental Pathology, Paulista University (UNIP), Sorocaba, SP, Brazil; Postgraduate Program in Aquaculture and Fisheries, Fisheries Institute, São Paulo, SP, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9803-7394

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5132/eec.2025.01.03

Keywords:

Non-scleractinian coral, Polypropylene, Polyethylene, Zooxanthellae

Abstract

Knowledge about the effects of plastic waste on the environment is relevant, an important raw material for the industry due to its low cost, high durability and easy molding, but which has had drastic and irreversible consequences for ecosystems, including aquatic ones. It is known that in the oceans this polymer is found in all shapes and sizes, and its action on marine biota has been widely described, among the findings being that corals ingest these microparticles when they confuse them with their prey, which induce the disruption of zooxanthellae leading to death, in addition to causing tissue damage and disease. Despite this, experimental research is still incipient, and this study fills the gap in the literature about what effects the microplastics (MPs) most found in the oceans can cause in non-scleractinian corals. It was found that the concentration of microplastics used in this study caused physiological effects in the soft coral Xenia elongata, affecting respiratory functions, growth, and even leading to mortality

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Published

07-08-2025

How to Cite

Prieto, B. C. G., Botan, G. M., & Smith, W. S. (2025). Effects of Microplastics on Coral Xenia elongata: an Experimental Approach. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Contamination, 20(1), 27–34. https://doi.org/10.5132/eec.2025.01.03

Issue

Vol. 20 No. 1 (2025)

Section

Original Articles

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