Effects of coal contamination on early life history processes of a reef-building coral, Acropora tenuis.
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.
College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia; AIMS@JCU, Australian Institute of Marine Science and James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia. Electronic address: kathrynaberry@gmail.com.
Kathryn L E
KLE
Berry
College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia; ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia.
Mia O
MO
Hoogenboom
Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, Queensland, Australia.
Diane L
DL
Brinkman
Catchment to Reef Research Group, TropWATER, James Cook University, Townville, Queensland, Australia.
Kathryn A
KA
Burns
Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, Queensland, Australia.
Andrew P
AP
Negri
D000818:Animals; D037421:Anthozoa; D003031:Coal; D057894:Coral Reefs; D007814:Larva; D008018:Life Cycle Stages; D014873:Water Pollutants
D003031:Coal; D014873:Water Pollutants
Coal; Coral reproduction; Fertilisation; Great Barrier Reef; Marine contamination; Settlement; Suspended particles