Effects of coal contamination on early life history processes of a reef-building coral, Acropora tenuis. Issue 1 (15th January 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Berry, Kathryn L.E.; Hoogenboom, Mia O.; Brinkman, Diane L.; Burns, Kathryn A.; Negri, Andrew P.
• Is Part Of: Marine pollution bulletin. Volume 114:Issue 1(2017:Jan.)
• Page Start: 505
• Page End: 514
• Publication Date: 2017-01-15
• Subjects: Coal -- Coral reproduction -- Fertilisation -- Settlement -- Suspended particles -- Marine contamination -- Great Barrier Reef; Marine pollution -- Periodicals; Marine Biology -- Periodicals; Water Pollution -- Periodicals; Mer -- Pollution -- Périodiques; Publications périodiques; Pollution des mers; Lutte antipollution; Electronic journals; 363.7394
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2016.10.011
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0025-326X

Abstract

Abstract: Successful reproduction and larval dispersal are important for the persistence of marine invertebrate populations, and these early life history processes can be sensitive to marine pollution. Coal is emerging as a contaminant of interest due to the proximity of ports and shipping lanes to coral reefs. To assess the potential hazard of this contaminant, gametes, newly developed embryos, larvae and juveniles of the coral Acropora tenuis were exposed to a range of coal leachate, suspended coal, and coal smothering treatments. Fertilisation was the most sensitive reproductive process tested. Embryo survivorship decreased with increasing suspended coal concentrations and exposure duration, effects on larval settlement varied between treatments, while effects on juvenile survivorship were minimal. Leachate exposures had negligible effects on fertilisation and larval settlement. These results indicate that coral recruitment could be affected by spills that produce plumes of suspended coal particles which interact with gametes and embryos soon after spawning. Highlights: Fertilisation of gametes was the most sensitive early life process to coal exposure Embryo survivorship decreased with increasing coal and exposure duration The effects of coal on larval settlement varied across the tested experimental scenarios Coal leachate had negligible effects on fertilization and larval settlement. Impacts on juvenile survivorship were limited.