An environmentally friendly bio-based approach to control invasive sun corals (Tubastrea spp.)
The rapid spread of the invasive sun coral species (Tubastraea spp.) in the South Atlantic, Caribbean region, and Gulf of Mexico urges for an immediate control tool. This study presents an environmentally friendly method to control invasive sun coral species, based on a hydrogel composed of alginate and acetic acid, offering a promising alternative to mechanical removal by divers. The biodegradable hydrogel can be remotely applied using underwater drones, reducing diver exposure. Minimal ecotoxicological effects of the hydrogel were observed using Parhyale hawaiensis as a non-target species.
Authors
- Amanda dos Santos (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8728-4311)
- Carlos Speglich
- Fernando Bonin Okasaki (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6335-1882)
- Suelen Gauna Trindade (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2328-9770)
- Héctor Messano
- Alexandre D. Kassuga (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4057-9139)
- Ellen A. de S. Oliveira
- Luciana V. R. de Messano (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1950-6234)
- Luciana Altvater (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3879-9431)
- Matheus da Silva Barbosa
- Edvaldo Sabadini (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9893-7146)
- Gisela de Aragão Umbuzeiro (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8623-5200)
- Ricardo Coutinho (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2449-1812)
- José Gonçalves (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0004-1038-8384)
- Nahyan T. P. de Liz
Institutions
- Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP) (BR)
- Petrobras (Brazil) (BR)
- Instituto de Estudos do Mar Almirante Paulo Moreira (BR)
- Hospital de Clínicas da Unicamp (BR)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Scientific Reports
- Published
- 2025-09-29
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-16719-6
- Primary Topic
- Coral and Marine Ecosystems Studies
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico
- Petrobras