Simulated coal spill causes mortality and growth inhibition in tropical marine organisms.

摘要: Coal is a principal fossil fuel driving economic and social development, increases in global coal shipments have paralleled expansion of the industry. To identify potential harm associated with chronic marine contamination, three taxa abundant tropical ecosystems (the coral Acropora tenuis, reef fish Acanthochromis polyacanthus seagrass Halodule uninervis) were exposed to five concentrations (0–275 mg l−1) suspended dust (<63 μm) over 28 d. Results demonstrate that exposure can cause considerable lethal effects on corals, reductions growth rates. Coral survivorship rates inversely related increasing (≥38 mg increased between 14 28 d, whereas similarly depressed at all tested. This investigation provides novel insights into direct impacts key for application assessment risks posed by globally threatened ecosystems.