Tropical coral reef ecosystems are rapidly transitioning to an era of increasing anthropogenic impacts. In particular, plastic pollution has been identified as an emerging threat to coral reefs, potentially affecting reef organisms in numerous capacities. Plastic pollution comes in different forms, such as fragments or fibers, and sizes, from macro- to micro- and nanoplastic particles, increasing exponentially in quantities with decreasing sizes. Plastic pollution can have both direct impacts on corals through contact with particles as well as indirect impacts through accumulating or leaching toxins. However, little is known about plastic concentrations of different sizes and types or their leachates, especially in coral reef ecosystems. Further, we are only at the beginning of understanding the consequences of the exposure to the pollutants for different organisms inhabiting coral reefs.
This research topic aims to provide novel insights into the potential hazards of plastic pollution from the macro- to the micro- and nanoscale. More thorough observations of plastic distribution patterns in time and space are needed to understand this rapidly developing threat to coral reefs, including their distribution within the water column, also considering smaller fractions of particle sizes. Furthermore, impact assessment studies conducted under realistic exposure scenarios evaluating the physiological effects of plastic pollution on reef organisms are necessary to better evaluate its potential impact in light of other anthropogenic stressors and their interactive effects. This requires a broad assessment of the responses of different coral reef organisms to plastics under realistic current or projected pollution scenarios.
The overarching aim of this research topic is to provide a synthesis for a realistic assessment of plastic pollution to coral reefs in light of other anthropogenic stressors, based on assessments of past, present, and projected pollution levels, to identify future conservation priorities. Thus, we seek contributions from diverse fields including biology, oceanography, and chemistry. We welcome studies documenting and quantifying plastic pollution in coral reef organisms and their surrounding environment, as well as identifying sources, pathways and impacts on reef systems. We encourage experimental approaches that investigate the biological responses of different abundant and cryptic coral reef organisms to plastic pollution under realistic or projected exposure scenarios, as well as in the context of other anthropogenic stressors. Contributions may also include evaluating transport mechanisms of plastics in reefs and whether reef ecosystems may act as an accumulation hotspot for plastic pollution.
Keywords:
Plastic pollution, coral reef organisms, pollution monitoring, microplastic, macroplastic, leachates
Important Note:
All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
Tropical coral reef ecosystems are rapidly transitioning to an era of increasing anthropogenic impacts. In particular, plastic pollution has been identified as an emerging threat to coral reefs, potentially affecting reef organisms in numerous capacities. Plastic pollution comes in different forms, such as fragments or fibers, and sizes, from macro- to micro- and nanoplastic particles, increasing exponentially in quantities with decreasing sizes. Plastic pollution can have both direct impacts on corals through contact with particles as well as indirect impacts through accumulating or leaching toxins. However, little is known about plastic concentrations of different sizes and types or their leachates, especially in coral reef ecosystems. Further, we are only at the beginning of understanding the consequences of the exposure to the pollutants for different organisms inhabiting coral reefs.
This research topic aims to provide novel insights into the potential hazards of plastic pollution from the macro- to the micro- and nanoscale. More thorough observations of plastic distribution patterns in time and space are needed to understand this rapidly developing threat to coral reefs, including their distribution within the water column, also considering smaller fractions of particle sizes. Furthermore, impact assessment studies conducted under realistic exposure scenarios evaluating the physiological effects of plastic pollution on reef organisms are necessary to better evaluate its potential impact in light of other anthropogenic stressors and their interactive effects. This requires a broad assessment of the responses of different coral reef organisms to plastics under realistic current or projected pollution scenarios.
The overarching aim of this research topic is to provide a synthesis for a realistic assessment of plastic pollution to coral reefs in light of other anthropogenic stressors, based on assessments of past, present, and projected pollution levels, to identify future conservation priorities. Thus, we seek contributions from diverse fields including biology, oceanography, and chemistry. We welcome studies documenting and quantifying plastic pollution in coral reef organisms and their surrounding environment, as well as identifying sources, pathways and impacts on reef systems. We encourage experimental approaches that investigate the biological responses of different abundant and cryptic coral reef organisms to plastic pollution under realistic or projected exposure scenarios, as well as in the context of other anthropogenic stressors. Contributions may also include evaluating transport mechanisms of plastics in reefs and whether reef ecosystems may act as an accumulation hotspot for plastic pollution.
Keywords:
Plastic pollution, coral reef organisms, pollution monitoring, microplastic, macroplastic, leachates
Important Note:
All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.