[Coral-List] New publication: Effects of PAH and UV exposure on coral larvae

[Sebastian Overmans]

Dear coral-listers,

We would like to draw your attention to our recently-published open-access
paper in *Aquatic Toxicology* which describes effects of two PAHs
(phenanthrene and anthracene) and UVA exposure on *Acropora tenuis* larvae.
Full article details can be found here:

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquatox.2018.03.008


*Phototoxic effects of PAH and UVA exposure on molecular responses and
developmental success in coral larvae*
Sebastian Overmans, Mikaela Nordborg, Rubén Díaz-Rúa, Diane L. Brinkman,
Andrew P. Negri, Susana Agustí

*Abstract*
Exposure to polycyclic aromatic carbons (PAHs) poses a growing risk to
coral reefs due to increasing shipping and petroleum extraction in tropical
waters. Damaging effects of specific PAHs can be further enhanced by the
presence of ultraviolet radiation, known as phototoxicity. We tested
phototoxic effects of the PAHs anthracene and phenanthrene on larvae of the
scleractinian coral Acropora tenuis in the presence and absence of UVA
(320–400 nm). Activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzyme was reduced by
anthracene while phenanthrene and UVA exposure did not have any effect.
Gene expression of MnSod remained constant across all treatments. The genes
Catalase, Hsp70 and Hsp90 showed increased expression levels in larvae
exposed to anthracene, but not phenanthrene. Gene expression of p53 was
upregulated in the presence of UVA, but downregulated when exposed to PAHs.
The influence on stress-related biochemical pathways and gene expression in
A. tenuis larvae was considerably greater for anthracene than phenanthrene,
and UVA-induced phototoxicity was only evident for anthracene. The combined
effects of UVA and PAH exposure on larval survival and metamorphosis
paralleled the sub-lethal stress responses, clearly highlighting the
interaction of UVA on anthracene toxicity and ultimately the coral’s
development.



Best regards,

Seb

-- 
*Sebastian Overmans*
*Ph.D. candidate*

Biological Oceanography Lab
Red Sea Research Center
KAUST -  King Abdullah University of Science and Technology
Thuwal 23955-6900,  Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Building 2, Level 2, Desk 2246-WS11

Work Tel: +966 (12) 808 2491
Mobile: +966 (0) 55 4704472

Twitter: s_overmans