Article
Biology
Laetitia Mathon, Virginie Marques, David Mouillot, Camille Albouy, Marco Andrello, Florian Baletaud, Giomar H. Borrero-Perez, Tony Dejean, Graham J. Edgar, Jonathan Grondin, Pierre-Edouard Guerin, Regis Hocde, Jean-Baptiste Juhel, Eva Kadarusman, Eva Maire, Gael Mariani, Matthew McLean, Andrea Polanco F., Laurent D. Pouyaud, Rick Stuart-Smith, Hagi Yulia Sugeha, Alice Valentini, Laurent B. Vigliola, Indra Vimono, Loic Pellissier
Summary: Using environmental DNA metabarcoding, researchers have found that coral reefs have higher fish biodiversity than previously thought. This method also revealed hidden patterns and provided a fresh perspective on the assembly rules of fish communities on reefs.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Fisheries
Pascal Dumas, Christophe Peignon, Mahe Dumas, Bertrand Bourgeois, Hugues Gossuin, Sylvie Fiat
Summary: Outbreaks of the corallivorous starfish Acanthaster cf. solaris were investigated in 13 sites in New Caledonia. Wide occurrences of aggregations were documented in relatively small, isolated mid-shelf reefs. The outbreak population never affected the reef flats and had severe impacts on the upper fore reefs.
ICES JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jacob G. D. Rogers, Eva E. Plaganyi
Summary: This study uses multispecies modelling to show that the management of a coral predator, the crown-of-thorns starfish, could help corals recover following bleaching events. They show that management was most effective when heat stress severity for corals was low to moderate, when corals had lower heat sensitivity and when the recruitment rate of starfish was high.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Konstantin S. Tkachenko, Vu V. Dung, Vo T. Ha, Nguyen H. Huan
Summary: The coastal area of Nui Chua National Park in Ninh Thuan Province, South-Central Vietnam, has experienced dramatic degradation of coral communities over the past five years. This is primarily due to a long-term outbreak of crown-of-thorns starfish and sea surface temperature anomalies. Overfishing and nutrient enrichment are also contributing factors. Recent surveys indicate a bleak outlook for coral recovery in the area.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Li Keat Lee, Chui Pin Leaw, Li Chuen Lee, Zhen Fei Lim, Kieng Soon Hii, Albert Apollo Chan, Haifeng Gu, Po Teen Lim
Summary: This study characterized the coral-associated Symbiodiniaceae communities using high-throughput next-generation amplicon sequencing. The results showed that Cladocopium and Durusdinium were the dominant genera, providing a baseline for future studies on Symbiodiniaceae diversity.
MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Li Keat Lee, Chui Pin Leaw, Li Chuen Lee, Zhen Fei Lim, Kieng Soon Hii, Albert Apollo Chan, Haifeng Gu, Po Teen Lim
Summary: This study characterized the coral-associated Symbiodiniaceae communities of 14 reef sites in Malaysia using high-throughput sequencing, revealing the predominance of Cladocopium and Durusdinium genera with high diversity and richness. Additionally, it was found that different ITS2-type profiles exist across coral species. By establishing a baseline for future studies, this research provides insight into the potential adaptive roles of coral-algal associations.
MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
F. M. Mendrik, T. B. Henry, H. Burdett, C. R. Hackney, C. Waller, D. R. Parsons, S. J. Hennige
Summary: The study found that the impact of microplastic on corals depends on the type of microplastic, coral species, and temperature. Microplastic fibers reduced the photosynthetic capability of Acropora sp., while exposure to microplastic spheres significantly improved photosynthetic performance in Seriatopora hystrix.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Joshua S. Madin, Michael McWilliam, Kate Quigley, Line K. Bay, David Bellwood, Christopher Doropoulos, Leanne Fernandes, Peter Harrison, Andrew S. Hoey, Peter J. Mumby, Juan C. Ortiz, Zoe T. Richards, Cynthia Riginos, Nina M. D. Schiettekatte, David J. Suggett, Madeleine J. H. van Oppen
Summary: Humans have focused on restoring species, but little attention has been given to selecting the best subset of foundation species for maintaining threatened ecosystems. We propose a two-part hedging approach that prioritizes phenotypic traits and ecological characteristics. By applying this approach to reef building corals, we found that current restoration programs could be improved by including species with different traits.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mykle L. Hoban, Michael Bunce, Brian W. Bowen
Summary: This study used environmental DNA metabarcoding to assess biodiversity patterns in mesophotic coral ecosystems (MCEs) in the Hawaiian Archipelago. The results show significant community differences between depth zones, with fishes not showing distinct zonation. This suggests that MCEs may serve as refugia for fishes, but invertebrate communities in deeper areas are distinct, indicating limited connectivity among reef fauna.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
William S. Fisher
Summary: The accretion and erosion of stony coral carbonate skeletons have significant implications for the size of coral colonies and ecosystem processes. Evaluating the growth capacity of coral skeletons requires data on calcification rates, erosion rates, and colony surface area. The growth capacity of corals is crucial for resilience and management decisions, such as restoration site selection and identifying threatened species.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Natalie Levy, Noa Simon-Blecher, Shachaf Ben-Ezra, Matan Yuval, Tirza Doniger, Matthieu Leray, Sarit Karako-Lampert, Ezri Tarazi, Oren Levy
Summary: This study demonstrates the use of eDNA metabarcoding as a tool for quantifying coral reef biodiversity, particularly for cryptofauna and organisms in early life stages. The results show that eDNA metabarcoding is effective in comprehensively evaluating invertebrate communities on complex 3D structures and understanding the role of these structures in providing habitat for organisms.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Joshua S. S. Madin, Andrew H. H. Baird, Sean R. R. Connolly, Maria A. A. Dornelas, Mariana Alvarez-Noriega, Michael J. J. McWilliam, Miguel Barbosa, Shane A. A. Blowes, Paulina Cetina-Heredia, Alec P. P. Christie, Vivian R. R. Cumbo, Marcela Diaz, Madeleine A. A. Emms, Erin Graham, Dominique Hansen, Mizue Hisano, Emily Howells, Chao-Yang Kuo, Caroline Palmer, James Tan Chun Hong, Theophilus Zhi En Teo, Rachael M. M. Woods
Summary: In this study, scleractinian corals were tagged and tracked to measure their vital rates and competitive interactions. Despite being disrupted by a tropical cyclone, the data collected can still be valuable for researchers interested in coral ecology and population dynamics.
Article
Ecology
David P. Kochan, Matthew D. Mitchell, Rachel Zuercher, Alastair R. Harborne
Summary: Anthropogenic stressors have resulted in coral mortality, leading to loss of coral cover and decreased structural complexity, which threatens reef biodiversity, functioning, and ecosystem services. However, the specific species affected and the traits that make them susceptible to reef flattening are not well understood. This study identifies important traits that mediate the responses of fish species to reef degradation.
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Catalina Ramirez-Portilla, Andrew H. Baird, Peter F. Cowman, Andrea M. Quattrini, Saki Harii, Frederic Sinniger, Jean-Francois Flot
Summary: Distinguishing coral species is important for various studies and effective ecosystem management. Despite challenges in species delimitation, this study on tabular Acropora corals shows that different lines of evidence can help identify species boundaries accurately. Results suggest that species of the genus Acropora are reproductively isolated and independently evolving units that can be distinguished morphologically.
SYSTEMATIC BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Fisheries
Rachel C. Neil, Craig Humphrey, David G. Bourne, Andrew Heyward
Summary: Co-culture with herbivores significantly improves the survival rate of coral recruits and increases basal surface area, providing an effective method for ex situ coral propagation.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ciemon F. Caballes, Vanessa Messmer, Maia L. Raymundo, Morgan S. Pratchett
Summary: Spatial and temporal stochasticity play an important role in the abundance and population dynamics of crown-of-thorns starfish (COTS). This study found that COTS collected from reefs within Marine National Park Zones, where fishing is prohibited, had a higher prevalence of sublethal injuries compared to reefs where fishing is permitted but regulated. Severity of injuries did not differ significantly between management zones. However, there was a higher frequency of individuals with between one and three injured arms in no-take reefs compared to those from open fishing reefs. The study also found that medium-sized COTS were more likely to have sublethal injuries compared to larger COTS. These findings highlight the benefits of established marine reserves in reducing the impact of COTS and coral loss.
AQUATIC CONSERVATION-MARINE AND FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Deborah Burn, Samuel Matthews, Chiara Pisapia, Andrew S. Hoey, Morgan S. Pratchett
Summary: Coral abundance metrics do not fully reflect the mortality of coral communities, and the influence of major versus routine disturbances on coral assemblages is not well understood. A study in Australia's Coral Sea Marine Park found that the overall incidence of recent coral injury remained low during a mass bleaching event, but there were significant inter-annual changes in the taxonomic hierarchy for injury incidence. Different coral genera and size classes exhibited varying levels of recent injury, highlighting the vulnerability of large colonies and the possibility of shifts in community size structure. Continued assessment of recent injuries is crucial for understanding the vulnerability of coral communities to future disturbances and changing environmental conditions.
MARINE ECOLOGY PROGRESS SERIES
(2022)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Bethan J. Lang, Jennifer M. Donelson, Ciemon F. Caballes, Sven Uthicke, Peter C. Doll, Morgan S. Pratchett
Summary: The study found that 32 degrees Celsius exceeds the thermal optimum of the crown-of-thorns starfish, suggesting that prolonged exposure to temperatures exceeding this level, which are expected under near-future climate change, may be detrimental to this species.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kai I. Pacey, Ciemon F. Caballes, Morgan S. Pratchett
Summary: Although hard corals are listed in Appendix II of CITES, there is still significant wild harvest and trade, primarily for the aquarium industry. Acropora corals, the majority of aquarium corals, are vulnerable to climate-induced coral bleaching. This study provides a methodology to quantify Acropora biomass, facilitating the development of a sustainable harvest strategy.
MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Samuel D. Payet, Morgan S. Pratchett, Pablo Saenz-Agudelo, Michael L. Berumen, Joseph D. DiBattista, Hugo B. Harrison
Summary: This study compares the population genomics and demographic histories of the common coral grouper in the Coral Sea and the Great Barrier Reef and finds low genetic connectivity between the two regions. The results suggest that the Coral Sea population was founded by a small number of individuals from the Great Barrier Reef and has experienced a long period of isolation, leading to lower genetic diversity in the Coral Sea.
EVOLUTIONARY APPLICATIONS
(2022)
Review
Fisheries
Molly E. Scott, Sterling B. Tebbett, Kirsty L. Whitman, Cassandra A. Thompson, Frank B. Mancini, Michelle R. Heupel, Morgan S. Pratchett
Summary: This study used baited remote underwater video systems to investigate the variation in the taxonomic and functional structure of fish assemblages along a depth gradient. The study found that the abundance and diversity of fish decreased with depth, and there were pronounced differences in the fish assemblages across the depth gradient.
REVIEWS IN FISH BIOLOGY AND FISHERIES
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
M. I. Blandford, K. B. Hillcoat, M. S. Pratchett, A. S. Hoey
Summary: The combined effects of global climate change and local anthropogenic stressors are leading to loss and fragmentation of habitats, which in turn influence the survival of coral reef fish populations. The degree of habitat fragmentation affects the early post-settlement survival of reef fish, with moderate levels having the greatest influence.
MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Bethan J. Lang, Ciemon F. Caballes, Sven Uthicke, Peter C. Doll, Jennifer M. Donelson, Morgan S. Pratchett
Summary: Research has shown that ocean warming has negative impacts on the settlement and metamorphic success of crown-of-thorns starfish, and even cooler temperatures can affect their survival rates. In warmer ocean environments, metamorphic success and early post-settlement survival are significantly reduced, potentially presenting a bottleneck for recruitment in coral reefs.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Sarah Lok Ting Kwong, Cecilia Villacorta-Rath, Morgan Pratchett, Sven Uthicke
Summary: Population irruptions of crown-of-thorns seastar pose a perennial threat to Indo-Pacific coral reefs. Telomere length can be used to estimate age in CoTS, with adult individuals generally exhibiting shorter telomeres than juveniles. However, there is variation within age groups and no significant relationship has been found between telomere length and external features indicating age. Additionally, sub-optimal diet results in accelerated telomere attrition in CoTS.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Frederieke J. Kroon, Joseph R. Crosswell, Barbara J. Robson
Summary: This study examines the impact of catchment load reductions on water quality in the initiation zone of the Great Barrier Reef, and finds a weak response in chlorophyll-a, total organic nitrogen, and large zooplankton concentrations, suggesting that marine and atmospheric forcing may play a larger role in controlling planktonic biomass in this area.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2023)
Review
Ecology
Bethan J. Lang, Jennifer M. Donelson, Kevin R. Bairos-Novak, Carolyn R. Wheeler, Ciemon F. Caballes, Sven Uthicke, Morgan S. Pratchett
Summary: Rising ocean temperatures pose a threat to marine species, with ectothermic organisms being particularly vulnerable. A meta-analysis of 85 studies reveals that ocean warming generally accelerates metabolic rate and reduces survival in echinoderms, with subtropical and tropical regions being the most vulnerable. The analysis also highlights the significant vulnerability of echinoderm larvae and starfish under elevated temperatures.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Fisheries
Morgan S. Pratchett, Ciemon F. Caballes, Jean-Paul A. Hobbs, Joseph D. DiBattista, Brock Bergseth, Peter Waldie, Curtis Champion, Samuel P. Mc Cormack, Andrew S. Hoey
Summary: This study explored the variation in physiological condition of common coral trout on Australia's Great Barrier Reef after severe mass bleaching and coral loss. The results showed that fish condition was largely influenced by fish size and varied with latitude, while there was no apparent effect of recent coral bleaching on the physiological condition of the fish. However, further changes to the environmental conditions and reef habitat may impact these important fisheries species.
Article
Biology
Peter C. Doll, Sven Uthicke, Ciemon F. Caballes, Guillermo Diaz-Pulido, Muhammad A. Abdul Wahab, Bethan J. Lang, So Young Jeong, Morgan S. Pratchett
Summary: Population irruptions of crown-of-thorns starfish (COTS) can cause extensive degradation of coral reefs, threatening their structure and function. Our findings demonstrate that various coralline algae species play a role in inducing COTS larvae to settle, but their effectiveness varies greatly. Considering larval behavior and algal ecology, this study highlights the ecological significance of coralline algae communities in driving COTS recruitment patterns.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Toshimi Nakajima, Mao Kuragano, Makoto Yamada, Ryo Sugimoto
Summary: This study compared the contribution of submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) to river nutrient budgets at nearshore and embayment scales, and found that SGD-derived nutrients become more important at larger spatial scales.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Fan Liu, Lei Zhang, Chongyang Zhang, Ziguang Chen, Jingguang Li
Summary: NO2 emissions from wall-mounted gas stoves used for household heating have become a significant source of indoor pollution in Chinese urban areas. The high indoor concentration of NO2 poses potential health risks to residents. It is urgently necessary to establish relevant regulations and implement emission reduction technologies to reduce NO2 emissions from wall-mounted gas stoves.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Letter
Environmental Sciences
Hans Peter H. Arp, Raoul Wolf, Sarah E. Hale, Sivani Baskaran, Juliane Gluege, Martin Scheringer, Xenia Trier, Ian T. Cousins, Harrie Timmer, Roberta Hofman-Caris, Anna Lennquist, Andre D. Bannink, Gerard J. Stroomberg, Rosa M. A. Sjerps, Rosa Montes, Rosario Rodil, Jose Benito Quintana, Daniel Zahn, Herve Gallard, Tobias Mohr, Ivo Schliebner, Michael Neumann
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Philomina Onyedikachi Peter, Binessi Edouard Ifon, Francois Nkinahamira, Kayode Hassan Lasisi, Jiangwei Li, Anyi Hu, Chang-Ping Yu
Summary: This study investigates the relationship between dissolved organic matter (DOM) and Rare Earth Elements (REEs) in sediments from Yundang Lagoon, China. The results show four distinct fluorescent components, with protein-like substances being the most prevalent. Additionally, the total fluorescence intensity and LREE concentrations exhibit a synchronized increase from Outer to Inner to Songbai Lake core sediments. The findings demonstrate a strong correlation between DOM content and pollution levels.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Surya Gupta, Pasquale Borrelli, Panos Panagos, Christine Alewell
Summary: The objective of this study is to incorporate soil hydraulic properties into the erodibility factor (K) of USLE-type models. By modifying and improving the existing equations for soil texture and permeability, the study successfully included information on saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ksat) into the calculation of K factor. Using the Random Forest machine learning algorithm, two independent K factor maps with different spatial resolutions were generated. The results show that the decrease in K factor values has a positive impact on the modeling of soil erosion rates.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jesmin Akter, Wendy J. M. Smith, Yawen Liu, Ilho Kim, Stuart L. Simpson, Phong Thai, Asja Korajkic, Warish Ahmed
Summary: The choice of workflow in wastewater surveillance has a significant impact on SARS-CoV-2 concentrations, while having minimal effects on HF183 and no effect on HAdV 40/41 concentrations. Certain components in the workflow can be interchangeable, but factors such as buffer type, chloroform, and homogenization speed can affect the recovery of viruses and bacteria.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yu Luo, Xueting Yang, Diwei Wang, Hongmei Xu, Hongai Zhang, Shasha Huang, Qiyuan Wang, Ningning Zhang, Junji Cao, Zhenxing Shen
Summary: Atmospheric PM2.5, which can generate reactive oxygen species (ROS), is associated with cardiorespiratory morbidity and mortality. The study found that both the mass concentration of PM2.5 and the DTT activity were higher during the heating season than during the nonheating season. Combustion sources were the primary contributors to DTT activity during the heating season, while secondary formation dominated during the nonheating season. The study also revealed that biomass burning had the highest inherent oxidation potential among all sources investigated.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Erin L. Murphy, Leah R. Gerber, Chelsea M. Rochman, Beth Polidoro
Summary: Plastic pollution has devastating consequences for marine organisms. This study uses a trait-based framework to develop a vulnerability index for marine mammals, seabirds, and sea turtles in Hawai'i. The index ranks 63 study species based on their vulnerability to macroplastic pollution, providing valuable information for species monitoring and management priorities.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kenji Maurice, Amelia Bourceret, Sami Youssef, Stephane Boivin, Liam Laurent-Webb, Coraline Damasio, Hassan Boukcim, Marc-Andre Selosse, Marc Ducousso
Summary: Growing pressure from climate change and agricultural land use is destabilizing soil microbial community interactions. Little is known about microbial community resistance and adaptation to disturbances, hindering our understanding of recovery latency and implications for ecosystem functioning. This study found that anthropic disturbance and natural disturbance have different effects on the topology and stability of soil microbial networks.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yunhao Li, Yali Feng, Haoran Li, Yisong Yao, Chenglong Xu, Jinrong Ju, Ruiyu Ma, Haoyu Wang, Shiwei Jiang
Summary: Deep-sea mining poses a serious threat to marine ecosystems and human health by disturbing sediment and transmitting metal ions through the food chain. This study developed a new regenerative adsorption material, OMN@SA, which effectively removes metal ions. The adsorption mechanism and performance of the material for metal ion fixation were investigated.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Antonio Medici, Margherita Lavorgna, Marina Isidori, Chiara Russo, Elena Orlo, Giovanni Luongo, Giovanni Di Fabio, Armando Zarrelli
Summary: Valsartan, a widely used antihypertensive drug, has been detected in high concentrations in surface waters due to its unchanged excretion and incomplete degradation in wastewater treatment plants. This study investigated the degradation of valsartan and identified 14 degradation byproducts. The acute and chronic toxicity of these byproducts were evaluated in key organisms in the freshwater trophic chain.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jiang Lin, Lianbao Chi, Qing Yuan, Busu Li, Mingbao Feng
Summary: This study investigated the photodegradation behavior and product formation of two representative pharmaceuticals in simulated estuary water. The study found that the formed transformation products of these pharmaceuticals have potential toxicity on marine organisms, including oxidative stress and damage to cellular components.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Hua Fang, Dongdong Jiang, Ye He, Siyi Wu, Yuehong Li, Ziqi Zhang, Haoting Chen, Zixin Zheng, Yan Sun, Wenxiang Wang
Summary: This study revealed that exposure to lower levels of air pollutants led to decreased pregnancy rates, with PM10, NO2, SO2, and CO emerging as the four most prominent pollutants. Individuals aged 35 and above exhibited heightened susceptibility to pollutants.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ali Shaan Manzoor Ghumman, Rashid Shamsuddin, Amin Abbasi, Mohaira Ahmad, Yoshiaki Yoshida, Abdul Sami, Hamad Almohamadi
Summary: In this study, inverse vulcanized polysulfides (IVP) were synthesized by reacting molten sulfur with 4-vinyl benzyl chloride, and then functionalized using N-methyl D-glucamine (NMDG). The functionalized IVP showed a high mercury adsorption capacity and a machine learning model was developed to predict the amount of mercury removed. Furthermore, the functionalized IVP can be regenerated and reused, providing a sustainable and cost-effective adsorbent.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Rita Bonfiglio, Renata Sisto, Stefano Casciardi, Valeria Palumbo, Maria Paola Scioli, Erica Giacobbi, Francesca Servadei, Gerry Melino, Alessandro Mauriello, Manuel Scimeca
Summary: This study investigated the presence of aluminum in human colon cancer samples and its potential association with biological processes involved in cancer progression. Aluminum was found in tumor areas of 24% of patients and was associated with epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) and cell death. Additional analyses revealed higher tumor mutational burden and mutations in genes related to EMT and apoptosis in aluminum-positive colon cancers. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of aluminum toxicity may improve strategies for the management of colon cancer patients.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)