scholarly journals Scleractinian corals incorporate microplastic particles: identification from a laboratory study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Florian Hierl ◽  
Henry C. Wu ◽  
Hildegard Westphal
Keyword(s):  
Deep Sea ◽  
Skeletal Growth ◽  
Tropical Species ◽  
Pollution Effects ◽  
Food Items ◽  
Physiological Processes ◽  
Hermatypic Corals ◽  
Long Term Consequences ◽  
High Concentrations

AbstractMicroplastics have been detected on beaches and in the ocean from surface habitats to the deep-sea. Microplastics can be mistaken for food items by marine organisms, posing a potential risk for bioaccumulation and biomagnification in the food chain. Our understanding of microplastic pollution effects on ecosystem and physiological processes of coral reefs is still limited. This study contributes to the understanding of effects of microplastic pollution on skeletal precipitation of hermatypic corals. In a five month aquarium-based experiment, specimens of four tropical species were temporarily exposed to high concentrations (ca. 0.5 g L-1) of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) microplastic particles (< 500 μm). The coral specimens all survived this treatment and show skeletal growth. The skeletal material produced during the experiment, however, incorporated plastic particles and plastic fibres in the aragonitic structure. Long-term consequences of such inclusions on skeletal properties such as stability are yet unknown.

scholarly journals The physiological response of the deep-sea coralSolenosmilia variabilisto ocean acidification

PeerJ ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. e5236 ◽  
Author(s):  
Malindi J. Gammon ◽  
Dianne M. Tracey ◽  
Peter M. Marriott ◽  
Vonda J. Cummings ◽  
Simon K. Davy
Keyword(s):  
Ocean Acidification ◽  
Deep Sea ◽  
Exposure Period ◽  
Physiological Processes ◽  
Seawater Ph ◽  
Flow Through ◽  
Seamount Chain ◽  
Colour Saturation ◽  
And Control

Several forms of calcifying scleractinian corals provide important habitat complexity in the deep-sea and are consistently associated with a high biodiversity of fish and other invertebrates. How these corals may respond to the future predicted environmental conditions of ocean acidification is poorly understood, but any detrimental effects on these marine calcifiers will have wider impacts on the ecosystem. Colonies ofSolenosmilia variabilis, a protected deep-sea coral commonly occurring throughout the New Zealand region, were collected during a cruise in March 2014 from the Louisville Seamount Chain. Over a 12-month period, samples were maintained in temperature controlled (∼3.5 °C) continuous flow-through tanks at a seawater pH that reflects the region’s current conditions (7.88) and an end-of-century scenario (7.65). Impacts on coral growth and the intensity of colour saturation (as a proxy for the coenenchyme tissue that covers the coral exoskeleton and links the coral polyps) were measured bimonthly. In addition, respiration rate was measured after a mid-term (six months) and long-term (12 months) exposure period. Growth rates were highly variable, ranging from 0.53 to 3.068 mm year−1and showed no detectable difference between the treatment and control colonies. Respiration rates also varied independently of pH and ranged from 0.065 to 1.756 µmol O2g protein−1h−1. A significant change in colour was observed in the treatment group over time, indicating a loss of coenenchyme. This loss was greatest after 10 months at 5.28% and could indicate a reallocation of energy with physiological processes (e.g.  growth and respiration) being maintained at the expense of coenenchyme production. This research illustrates important first steps to assessing and understanding the sensitivity of deep-sea corals to ocean acidification.

scholarly journals The neurological sequelae of pandemics and epidemics

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fernanda Valerio ◽  
Daniel P. Whitehouse ◽  
David K. Menon ◽  
Virginia F. J. Newcombe
Keyword(s):  
Nervous System ◽  
Neurological Manifestations ◽  
Human History ◽  
Neurological Damage ◽  
Secondary Complications ◽  
Neurological Sequelae ◽  
Physiological Processes ◽  
Short And Long Term ◽  
Long Term Consequences

Abstract Neurological manifestations in pandemics frequently cause short and long-term consequences which are frequently overlooked. Despite advances in the treatment of infectious diseases, nervous system involvement remains a challenge, with limited treatments often available. The under-recognition of neurological manifestations may lead to an increase in the burden of acute disease as well as secondary complications with long-term consequences. Nervous system infection or dysfunction during pandemics is common and its enduring consequences, especially among vulnerable populations, are frequently forgotten. An improved understanding the possible mechanisms of neurological damage during epidemics, and increased recognition of the possible manifestations is fundamental to bring insights when dealing with future outbreaks. To reverse this gap in knowledge, we reviewed all the pandemics, large and important epidemics of human history in which neurological manifestations are evident, and described the possible physiological processes that leads to the adverse sequelae caused or triggered by those pathogens.

Barriers to Physical Activity in Adolescents

2015 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 47-59 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nadine Langguth ◽  
Tanja Könen ◽  
Simone Matulis ◽  
Regina Steil ◽  
Caterina Gawrilow ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Leisure Activities ◽  
Outcome Expectations ◽  
Multidimensional Approach ◽  
Factor Analyses ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Tailored Interventions ◽  
Long Term Consequences ◽  
Age Range

During adolescence, physical activity (PA) decreases with potentially serious, long-term consequences for physical and mental health. Although barriers have been identified as an important PA correlate in adults, research on adolescents’ PA barriers is lacking. Thus reliable, valid scales to measure adolescents’ PA barriers are needed. We present two studies describing a broad range of PA barriers relevant to adolescents with a multidimensional approach. In Study 1, 124 adolescents (age range = 12 – 24 years) reported their most important PA barriers. Two independent coders categorized those barriers. The most frequent PA barriers were incorporated in a multidimensional questionnaire. In Study 2, 598 adolescents (age range = 13 – 21 years) completed this questionnaire and reported their current PA, intention, self-efficacy, and negative outcome expectations. Seven PA barrier dimensions (leisure activities, lack of motivation, screen-based sedentary behavior, depressed mood, physical health, school workload, and preconditions) were confirmed in factor analyses. A multidimensional approach to measuring PA barriers in adolescents is reliable and valid. The current studies provide the basis for developing individually tailored interventions to increase PA in adolescents.

Responding to Immediate and Long-Term Consequences of Terror

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary Fabri ◽  
Amber Gray ◽  
Jeannette Uwineza
Keyword(s):  
Long Term Consequences

Themes, Diction, and Prosodic Systems in Yoruba Lullabies

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 18-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olusanmi Babarinde ◽  
Elizabeth Babarinde
Keyword(s):  
Participant Observation ◽  
Cultural Beliefs ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
World Views ◽  
Scholarly Research ◽  
Long Term Consequences ◽  
Analyse Data ◽  
Descriptive Survey ◽  
Future Learning

Lullabies are essentially sung for their soothing nature but, as this article shows, they have other important functions. One of the most important of these is that lullabies may provide much-needed language stimulation with important long-term consequences for future learning. This paper begins the work of addressing the dearth of scholarly research on lullabies, especially in the Yoruba (Nigeria: Niger-Congo) culture. It looks at the range of themes, dictions, and prosody that are intertwined to reveal Yoruba beliefs and world-views about children, starting with their time in the womb. The study uses a descriptive survey method to analyse data collected through participant observation. It shows that Yoruba lullabies not only offer insights into Yoruba cultural beliefs but also depend greatly on figurative expression and prosodic systems. These rich literary qualities identify lullabies as the earliest sub-genre of children's poetry.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document