
pmid: 41397328
Coastal ecosystems are increasingly exposed to anthropogenic pressures, with oil spills representing a major risk to marine biodiversity. While the impacts of oil spills on macroorganisms have been extensively studied, the response of picoeukaryotes, key primary producers and integral components of marine food webs, remains poorly understood. This study investigates the impact of recurrent oil spills on picoeukaryotic communities by comparing two distinct coastal environments with differing pollution histories. Through integrated chemical analysis, flow cytometry, and 18S rRNA gene sequencing, we evaluated changes in alpha and beta diversity, community composition, and ecological resilience. Our results show that oil spills significantly reduce picoeukaryote abundance and alter community composition, including a marked decline in dominant taxa, such as Ostreococcus. In addition, oil spills appear to enhance community connectivity and interdependence, indicating a shift in ecological interactions under stress. Evidence of recovery dynamics suggests potential resilience following disturbance. These findings highlight the vulnerability of microbial eukaryotes to oil pollution and emphasize the urgent need for improved monitoring and mitigation strategies to preserve the health of coastal ecosystems.
Aquatic Organisms, RNA, Ribosomal, 18S, Eukaryota, Petroleum Pollution, Biodiversity, Water Pollutants, Chemical, Ecosystem, Environmental Monitoring
Aquatic Organisms, RNA, Ribosomal, 18S, Eukaryota, Petroleum Pollution, Biodiversity, Water Pollutants, Chemical, Ecosystem, Environmental Monitoring
| selected citations These citations are derived from selected sources. This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | 0 | |
| popularity This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network. | Average | |
| influence This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | Average | |
| impulse This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network. | Average |
