[H-CG19] Microplastics & Micro-pollutants in the Environment - The 3Ts

[HCG19-02] Polyethylene Microplastics Threaten Coral Ecosystems by Degrading Skeleton Structures

*Shuchen Hsieh¹, Pei-Ying Lin¹, Shu-Ling Hsieh², De-Sing Ding², Chen-Tung Arthur Chen¹, David E. Beck³ (1.National Sun Yat-sen University, 2.National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, 3.Oxford Instruments Asylum Research Incorporated)

Keywords:Polyethylene microplastics, Coral, Briareum violacea, Skeletal degradation, Solubility

The proliferation of microplastics poses a significant threat to marine ecosystems, with severe implications for biodiversity and ecosystem resilience. Due to their small size and persistence, microplastics disperse widely and infiltrate food chains, endangering coral ecosystems that are crucial for marine life and coastal protection. This study investigates the effects of polyethylene microplastics on the structural integrity of Briareum violacea coral skeletons. Corals were exposed to polyethylene microplastics at concentrations ranging from 0 to 300 mg/L under controlled conditions for seven days. Even at low concentrations, such as 5 mg/L, calcite crystals in the coral skeletons began to decrease, with a transformation to amorphous calcium carbonate occurring at 10 mg/L. These findings demonstrate that polyethylene microplastics accelerate coral skeleton degradation, underscoring the urgent need to address plastic pollution and protect coral ecosystems.