Artificial light at night (ALAN) alters the physiology and biochemistry of symbiotic reef building corals

Artificial Light at Night (ALAN), which is the alteration of natural light levels as the result of anthropogenic light sources, has been acknowledged as an important factor that alters the functioning of marine ecosystems. Using LEDs light to mimic ALAN, we studied the effect on the physiology (symb...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Environmental pollution (1987) Vol. 266; no. Pt 2; p. 114987
Main Authors: Levy, Oren, Fernandes de Barros Marangoni, Laura, I. C. Benichou, Jennifer, Rottier, Cécile, Béraud, Eric, Grover, Renaud, Ferrier-Pagès, Christine
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.11.2020
Subjects:
ALAN
Animals
Anthozoa
chlorophyll
Coral Reefs
Corals
Ecosystem
Indian Ocean
Light - adverse effects
Light pollution
oxidative stress
Photo-physiology
photoinhibition
Photosynthesis
pollution
reactive oxygen species
Red Sea
ROS
Scleractinia
solar radiation
symbionts
Symbiosis
Indian Ocean
Red Sea
Photo-physiology
Light pollution
Corals
Photosynthesis
ALAN
ROS
ISSN:0269-7491, 1873-6424, 1873-6424
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:Artificial Light at Night (ALAN), which is the alteration of natural light levels as the result of anthropogenic light sources, has been acknowledged as an important factor that alters the functioning of marine ecosystems. Using LEDs light to mimic ALAN, we studied the effect on the physiology (symbiont and chlorophyll contents, photosynthesis, respiration, pigment profile, skeletal growth, and oxidative stress responses) of two scleractinian coral species originating from the Red Sea. ALAN induced the photoinhibition of symbiont photosynthesis, as well as an overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and an increase in oxidative damage to lipids in both coral species. The extent of the deleterious effects of ALAN on the symbiotic association and coral physiology was aligned with the severity of the oxidative stress condition experienced by the corals. The coral species Sylophora pistillata, which experienced a more severe oxidative stress condition than the other species tested, Turbinaria reniformis, also showed a more pronounced bleaching (loss of symbionts and chlorophyll content), enhanced photoinhibition and decreased photosynthetic rates. Findings of the present study further our knowledge on the biochemical mechanisms underpinning the deleterious impacts of ALAN on scleractinian corals, ultimately shedding light on the emerging threat of ALAN on coral reef ecology. Further, considering that global warming and light pollution will increase in the next few decades, future studies should be taken to elucidate the potential synergetic effects of ALAN and global climate change stressors. [Display omitted] •Light pollution can disrupt the coral-dinoflagellate symbiosis.•Light pollution promotes photoinhibition and reactive oxygen species overproduction in symbiotic corals.•Coral species show different susceptibilities to light pollution.•Higher capacity to combat reactive oxygen species may turn corals more resistant to light pollution.•Light pollution can be a major additional threat to coral reefs near heavily urbanized areas. The extent of ALAN deleterious effects on symbiotic corals was driven by the severity of the oxidative stress condition experienced by each species.
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ISSN:0269-7491
1873-6424
1873-6424
DOI:10.1016/j.envpol.2020.114987