(NSYSU News)
A National Sun Yat-sen University study found that plastics can affect the crystal structure of coral skeletons, causing an "osteoporosis" that weakens the coral. The study was published in the international journal “Environmental Chemistry Letters." It was conducted by Hsieh Shu-chen (謝淑貞), National Sun Yat-sen University's chemistry department chair, and Chen Chen-tung (陳鎮東), Academia Sinica's marine science department chair, per CNA.
The research found that soft corals such as star polyp (briareum violacea) when exposed to seawater containing 5 ppm polyethylene plastic particles experienced abnormal growth of the coral skeleton. Researchers said it made the coral susceptible to a type of "osteoporosis."
The star polyp’s skeleton is made of calcium carbonate secreted by coral polyps, forming tiny calcium carbonate spicules. These spicules are scattered throughout the coral's tissue, providing a supportive structure for the coral and a habitat for marine organisms.
NSYSU News: https://news.nsysu.edu.tw/p/406-1120-345539,r2910.php?Lang=zh-tw
台灣英文新聞: Taiwan marine researchers find plastic waste weakens coral structure | Taiwan News | Dec. 2, 2024 15:11
自由時報電子報: https://news.ltn.com.tw/news/life/breakingnews/4881142
中央社: https://www.cna.com.tw/news/ait/202412020064.aspx
台灣時報: https://reurl.cc/G5oLoD
漾新聞: https://news.owlting.com/articles/878010