Exploring the mechanisms of microplastics incorporation and their influence on the functioning of coral holobionts

About the project

Recent studies have determined that >4 million tons of plastic enter the oceans each year, which are progressively broken down by natural conditions generating fragments < 5mm in size that are known as microplastics. The effect that these particles are having on coastal ecosystems such as coral reefs is currently a subject of considerable debate.

Microplastics have been found in the mouth and among the mesenteries of coral polyps collected from reef regions as well as in plankton tows in reef waters, demonstrating that in coral reefs, microplastics are present in the food chain but also that corals might act as long-term sink of these particles through adhesion to their surface (Huang et al. 2020).

However, the effect of ingestion or incorporation of microplastics on the functioning of these habitat-founding organisms, is less clear. Experiments under controlled conditions have shown that after a short time of exposure to plastic particles, corals exhibit cleaning mechanisms (mucus production), ingestion and/or passive overgrowth (Reichert et al., 2021). This results in some cases in negative effects on health, such as increased bleaching and tissue necrosis. However, our own preliminary data shows that over long-term exposure to microplastics, coral functioning is not adversely affected, emphasizing the gap in our understanding of coral incorporation, accumulation and overall response to microplastics.

This project aims to use a combination of advanced laboratory study and novel analytical approaches to plug this knowledge gap to determine the impact of microplastic pollution on coral health and reveal the mechanisms of microplastic incorporation into the coral holobiont.

Supervisors

• Professor Sumeet Mahajan (University of Southampton)
• Professor Joerg Wiedenmann (University of Southampton)
• Dr Cecilia D’Angelo (University of Southampton
• Professor Gavin Foster (University of Southampton)

Professor Sumeet Mahajan MSc, MTech, PhD, FHEA, FRSC

• New chemical biology methods based on Raman spectroscopy and label-free imaging
• Methodology and device development for commercialisation and clinical translation
• Neuro-diagnostics and early detection of dementia and neurodegenerative diseases

Professor Joerg Wiedenmann

• Coral Reef Biology and Ecology
• Coral Bleaching
• Nutrient biology of coral reefs

Dr Cecilia D'Angelo

• Dr Cecilia D'Angelo: Associate Professor

Professor Gavin Foster

• Professor Gavin Foster: Professor of Isotope Geochemistry

Entry requirements

A 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent , in one of these subjects:

• biology
• chemistry

Fees and funding

INSPIRE studentships are funded by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC, part of UK Research and Innovation, UKRI). The stipend is in line with UKRI standard levels, including the recent cost of living increase.

All studentships are fully funded for 3.5 years.

How to apply

To make an application, visit the how to apply section of the Inspire website .

Contact us

For questions about the project, email Professor Sumeet Mahajan:

For questions about the application process, email the graduate school office:

• s.mahajan@soton.ac.uk
• gsnocs@soton.ac.uk

Research areas