Assessing the Sensitivity of Acropora cervicornis Resulting from Exposure to Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons

Overview

Coral reefs play an important role in marine ecosystems; protecting coastlines from flooding, and supporting more species per unit area than any other marine ecosystem. These unique ecosystems are in danger because of environmental pollutants that seep into the oceans, killing susceptible coral. This research investigates the effect of chemicals with long residence time on coral health. Using NOAA’s National Status and Trends Data to identify which pesticides, insecticides, herbicides, and metals have been found in coastal Florida water and sediment samples, I collected data on the types of chemicals and their prevalence. Coastal locations containing declining coral reef ecosystems were analyzed by which chemicals were found to be in the highest concentrations and the source of the chemical exposure. The most common types of chemical in each location were polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), known to enter the oceans through offshore drilling, close to the oceanic locations with the highest concentrations of PAHs. I then tested the effect of fluoranthene (a PAH), on an endemic species of coral, Acropora cervicornis, found in Florida’s marine ecosystems, using 24 dosing vessels each containing 3 fragments of coral. Silicon O-rings, a passive-dosing method, were used to achieve accurate concentrations. I used semi-quantitative scoring and PAM fluorometry to assess the sublethal stress of fluoranthene using 6 increasing concentrations to determine the chemical’s EC-50 and LC-50. I determined that fluoranthene has no significant effect on Acropora cervicornis without UV light, as it is a phototoxic chemical which requires UV light to produce a deleterious effect.

Competition history

• JSHS 2022 Category not listed

Resources

• National JSHS abstract book ↗

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