Ocean acidification and microplastic pollution are two major stressors threatening coral health, yet their combined impacts and underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. This study investigated the combined effects of ocean acidification and microplastics exposure to coral health. Briareum violacea was exposed to pH at 7.7, 7.5, and 7.3 combined with polyethylene microplastic (PE-MP; 50 mg/L) for 21 days. Polyp length and behavioral adaptability were monitored daily, while coral was collected on days 14 and 21 to assess Symbiodiniaceae density, antioxidant enzyme activity, and histopathological alterations. Results showed that combined exposure to different pH (7.7, 7.5, and 7.3) and PE-MP significantly impaired coral condition, reduced polyp length and Symbiodiniaceae density, along with intensified oxidative stress and tissue damage compared to single stressors. These findings underscore coral vulnerability under combined stressors, emphasizing the necessity for future research to address long-term ecological consequences and resilience mechanisms in coral reef ecosystems.
Hsieh S. L., Ding D. S., Hsieh S., Singhania R. R., Chen C. W., Dong C. D. & Chen Y. T., 2025. Oxidative stress and histological alterations in coral Briareum violacea co-exposed to ocean acidification and microplastic stressors. Marine Environmental Research 213: 107616. doi: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2025.107616. Article (restricted access).
