Suspended sediment and reduced salinity decrease development success of early stages of Acropora tumida and Platygyra carnosa in a turbid coral habitat, Hong Kong

Research output: Journal Publications and ReviewsRGC 21 - Publication in refereed journalpeer-review

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Author(s)

  • Taison Ka Tai Chang
  • Billy Chun Ting Cheung
  • Justin Chi Ho Leong
  • Gerard F. Ricardo
  • Jenny Tsz Ching Chan
  • And 3 others
  • James Kar Hei Fang
  • Peter J. Mumby
  • Apple Pui Yi Chui

Detail(s)

Original languageEnglish
Article number117255
Journal / PublicationMarine Pollution Bulletin
Volume209
Issue numberPart B
Online published16 Nov 2024
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2024

Abstract

Suspended sediment and salinity stresses may escalate under climate change in inshore turbid habitats. We test whether fertilization and embryonic development of Acropora tumida and Platygyra carnosa are less prone to both stressors in turbid coral habitats compared to thresholds reported in literature for species found in clear water reefs. Under optimal sperm concentration (106 sperm mL−1), fertilization of A. tumida declined by 50 % when exposed to combined sediment (92 mg L−1) and salinity stresses. However, these stressors had no significant impact on P. carnosa. We found ∼20- and ∼ 7-fold increases in abnormal embryos for A. tumida and P. carnosa, respectively, under combined stressors. Furthermore, silicon-rich terrestrial-originated sediment caused 50 % larval mortality for A. tumida at a lower concentration of 53 mg L−1. We showed that climate change-related salinity and sediment stresses may hinder coral reproduction and challenge coral recovery, questioning the coral survival in nearshore turbid habitats. © 2024 Elsevier Ltd

Research Area(s)

  • Climate change, Coral early life stages, Salinity, Suspended sediments, Turbid inshore habitats

Citation Format(s)

Suspended sediment and reduced salinity decrease development success of early stages of Acropora tumida and Platygyra carnosa in a turbid coral habitat, Hong Kong. / Chang, Taison Ka Tai; Cheung, Billy Chun Ting; Leong, Justin Chi Ho et al.
In: Marine Pollution Bulletin, Vol. 209, No. Part B, 117255, 12.2024.

Research output: Journal Publications and ReviewsRGC 21 - Publication in refereed journalpeer-review