Publications by authors named "Maria Luiza R da Cruz"
Mar Pollut Bull
June 2024
Article Synopsis
- Endosymbionts are tiny organisms that live inside corals and are super important for their health.
- Pollution in the ocean, especially from oil spills and toxic substances like a dispersant called Corexit-9500, can seriously hurt these endosymbionts.
- When exposed to oil and dispersants, two types of endosymbionts showed a big drop in their survival and ability to perform photosynthesis, meaning they can't grow properly and get damaged quickly.
Front Microbiol
October 2022
Article Synopsis
- Corals face threats from global warming, with bleaching caused by the loss of symbiotic dinoflagellates being a significant immediate impact.
- The study explores how increased temperatures affect the biochemical and cellular characteristics of these important endosymbionts, showing that heat stress leads to an increase in oxygen levels while causing a decrease in key proteins and pigments.
- Observations via transmission electron microscopy reveal that heat stress compromises the structural integrity of the dinoflagellates, resulting in thinner cell walls, chloroplast deformation, and an accumulation of lipid droplets after just three days at elevated temperatures.
