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Hajji S, Ben-Haddad M, Abelouah MR, Rangel-Buitrago N, Ait Alla A. Microplastic characterization and assessment of removal efficiency in an urban and industrial wastewater treatment plant with submarine emission discharge. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 945:174115. [PMID: 38908571 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2024] [Revised: 06/14/2024] [Accepted: 06/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/24/2024]
Abstract
Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are significant contributors to microplastic (MP) pollution in marine ecosystems when they are inefficient. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of microplastic removal from the effluent of the Anza WWTP (Morocco), which processes industrial and urban wastewater using a lamellar decantation system combined with a submarine emissary for treated water discharge. Additionally, this study investigated the presence of microplastics in the Atlantic seawater where treatment plant effluent is released. Microplastics were collected and extracted from wastewater and seawater samples to assess their abundance, shape, size, polymer type, and removal rates in the treatment plant. The findings revealed an average MP concentration of 1114 ± 90 MPs/L in the influent and 607 ± 101 MPs/L in the effluent, indicating a removal efficiency of 46 %. Seasonal analysis revealed the highest MP concentrations during the summer, with 2181.33 MPs/L in the influent and 1209 MPs/L in the effluent. Seawater samples from the discharge zone of the submarine emissary had an average MP concentration of 1600 MPs/m3. Characterization of the MPs revealed that fibers were the most common form of MPs in all the samples. The 500-100 μm size fraction was predominant in the WWTP samples, while MPs smaller than 1 mm were more abundant in the seawater samples. Seven polymer types were identified using attenuated total reflection fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), with PET, PE, PVC, PA, PS, PP, and EVA being the most prevalent. Scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDX) revealed various degrees of weathering and chemical elements adhering to the MP surfaces. The results of this study provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of conventional treatment systems in removing microplastics and offer a reference for developing management strategies to mitigate MP pollution in Morocco's marine ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Hajji
- Laboratory of Aquatic Systems, Marine and Continental Environments (AQUAMAR), Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Zohr University, Agadir 80000, Morocco
| | - Mohamed Ben-Haddad
- Laboratory of Aquatic Systems, Marine and Continental Environments (AQUAMAR), Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Zohr University, Agadir 80000, Morocco.
| | - Mohamed Rida Abelouah
- Laboratory of Aquatic Systems, Marine and Continental Environments (AQUAMAR), Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Zohr University, Agadir 80000, Morocco
| | - Nelson Rangel-Buitrago
- Programa de Física, Facultad de Ciencias Basicas, Universidad del Atlantico, Barranquilla, Atlantico, Colombia
| | - Aicha Ait Alla
- Laboratory of Aquatic Systems, Marine and Continental Environments (AQUAMAR), Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Zohr University, Agadir 80000, Morocco
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2
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Tepe Y, Aydın H, Ustaoğlu F, Kodat M. Occurrence of microplastics in the gastrointestinal tracts of four most consumed fish species in Giresun, the Southeastern Black Sea. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:55336-55345. [PMID: 39227534 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-34814-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 08/22/2024] [Indexed: 09/05/2024]
Abstract
Microplastic studies investigating concentrations in water are numerous, but the majority of microplastics settle and are retained in sediment, and higher concentrations are regularly reported in sediments. Thus, MPs accumulation may be more threatening to benthic fish living in sediments than to pelagic fish. The presence, abundance and diversity of microplastics were investigated by collecting samples from two pelagic, European anchovy, and horse mackerel and two benthic fish species, red mullet, and whiting that are popularly consumed in Giresun province of Türkiye, located on the southern coast of the Black Sea. Visual classification and chemical compositions of microplastics was performed using a light microscope and ATR-FTIR spectrophotometry, consecutively. The overall incidence and mean microplastics abundance in sampled fishes were 17 and 1.7 ± 0.18 MP fish-1, respectively. MPs were within the range of 0.026-5 mm in size. In most of the cases, the MP was black in color with 41%. With the rates of 56%, polypropylene was the predominant polymer type. The most dominant MP type was identified as fiber followed by fragments and pellets. The relationship between MP amounts in fish and Fulton condition factor was not strong enough to establish a cause-effect relationship.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yalçın Tepe
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Arts and Science, Giresun University, Güre Campus, Giresun, 28200, Türkiye.
| | - Handan Aydın
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Arts and Science, Giresun University, Güre Campus, Giresun, 28200, Türkiye
| | - Fikret Ustaoğlu
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Arts and Science, Giresun University, Güre Campus, Giresun, 28200, Türkiye
| | - Murat Kodat
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Arts and Science, Giresun University, Güre Campus, Giresun, 28200, Türkiye
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Giani D, Andolina C, Baini M, Panti C, Sciandra M, Vizzini S, Fossi MC. Trophic niche influences ingestion of micro- and mesoplastics in pelagic and demersal fish from the Western Mediterranean Sea. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 328:121632. [PMID: 37059168 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Revised: 03/25/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Plastic pollution has been extensively documented in the marine food web, but targeted studies focusing on the relationship between microplastic ingestion and fish trophic niches are still limited. In this study we investigated the frequency of occurrence and the abundance of micro- and mesoplastics (MMPs) in eight fish species with different feeding habits from the western Mediterranean Sea. Stable isotope analysis (δ13C and δ15N) was used to describe the trophic niche and its metrics for each species. A total of 139 plastic items were found in 98 out of the 396 fish analysed (25%). The bogue revealed the highest occurrence with 37% of individuals with MMPs in their gastrointestinal tract, followed by the European sardine (35%). We highlighted how some of the assessed trophic niche metrics seem to influence MMPs occurrence. Fish species with a wider isotopic niche and higher trophic diversity were more probable to ingest plastic particles in pelagic, benthopelagic and demersal habitats. Additionally, fish trophic habits, habitat and body condition influenced the abundance of ingested MMPs. A higher number of MMPs per individual was found in zooplanktivorous than in benthivore and piscivorous species. Similarly, our results show a higher plastic particles ingestion per individual in benthopelagic and pelagic species than in demersal species, which also resulted in lower body condition. Altogether, these results suggest that feeding habits and trophic niche descriptors can play a significant role in the ingestion of plastic particles in fish species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dario Giani
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Cristina Andolina
- Department of Earth and Marine Sciences, DiSTeM, University of Palermo, Italy; National Interuniversity Consortium for Marine Sciences, CoNISMa, Rome, Italy.
| | - Matteo Baini
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Cristina Panti
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy; NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, 90133 Italy
| | - Mariangela Sciandra
- Department of Economics, Business and Statistics, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Salvatrice Vizzini
- Department of Earth and Marine Sciences, DiSTeM, University of Palermo, Italy; National Interuniversity Consortium for Marine Sciences, CoNISMa, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Cristina Fossi
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy; NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, 90133 Italy
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Menéndez D, Blanco-Fernandez C, Machado-Schiaffino G, Ardura A, Garcia-Vazquez E. High microplastics concentration in liver is negatively associated with condition factor in the Benguela hake Merluccius polli. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2023; 262:115135. [PMID: 37320916 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.115135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Revised: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) affect both marine and terrestrial biota worldwide for their harmful effects, which range from physical cell damage to physiological deterioration. In this research, microplastics were quantified from gills, liver and muscle of demersal Benguela hakes Merluccius polli (n = 94), caught by commercial trawling from northwest African waters. Plastic polymers were identified using Fourier Transformed-infraRed spectroscopy (FT-iR). Fulton's k condition factor and the degree of DNA degradation in liver were measured. None of the individuals were free of MPs, whose concentration ranged from 0.18 particles/g in muscle to 0.6 in liver. Four hazardous polymers were identified: 2-ethoxyethylmethacrylate, polyester, polyethylene terephthalate, and poly-acrylics. MP concentration in liver was correlated negatively with the condition factor, suggesting physiological damage. Positive association of MP concentration and liver DNA degradation was explained from cell breakage during trawl hauls during decompression, suggesting an additional way of MPs harm in organisms inhabiting at great depth. This is the first report of potential MPs-driven damage in this species; more studies are recommended to understand the impact of MP pollution on demersal species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Menéndez
- Department of Functional Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oviedo, C/ Julian Claveria s/n, 33006 Oviedo, Spain
| | - Carmen Blanco-Fernandez
- Department of Functional Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oviedo, C/ Julian Claveria s/n, 33006 Oviedo, Spain
| | - Gonzalo Machado-Schiaffino
- Department of Functional Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oviedo, C/ Julian Claveria s/n, 33006 Oviedo, Spain
| | - Alba Ardura
- Department of Functional Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oviedo, C/ Julian Claveria s/n, 33006 Oviedo, Spain
| | - Eva Garcia-Vazquez
- Department of Functional Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oviedo, C/ Julian Claveria s/n, 33006 Oviedo, Spain.
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Malli A, Shehayeb A, Yehya A. Occurrence and risks of microplastics in the ecosystems of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:64800-64826. [PMID: 37086319 PMCID: PMC10122206 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-27029-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
The ubiquitous nature of microplastics (MPs) in nature and the risks they pose on the environment and human health have led to an increased research interest in the topic. Despite being an area of high plastic production and consumption, studies on MPs in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region have been limited. However, the region witnessed a research surge in 2021 attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic. In this review, a total of 97 studies were analyzed based on their environmental compartments (marine, freshwater, air, and terrestrial) and matrices (sediments, water columns, biota, soil, etc.). Then, the MP concentrations and polymer types were utilized to conduct a risk assessment to provide a critical analysis of the data. The highest MP concentrations recorded in the marine water column and sediments were in the Mediterranean Sea in Tunisia with 400 items/m3 and 7960 items/kg of sediments, respectively. The number of MPs in biota ranged between 0 and 7525 per individual across all the aquatic compartments. For the air compartment, a school classroom had 56,000 items/g of dust in Iran due to the confined space. Very high risks in the sediment samples (Eri > 1500) were recorded in the Caspian Sea and Arab/Persian Gulf due to their closed or semi-closed nature that promotes sedimentation. The risk factors obtained are sensitive to the reference concentration which calls for the development of more reliable risk assessment approaches. Finally, more studies are needed in understudied MENA environmental compartments such as groundwater, deserts, and estuaries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Malli
- Baha and Walid Bassatne Department of Chemical Engineering and Advanced Energy, Maroun Semaan Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon.
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Tandon School of Engineering, New York University, Brooklyn, NY, 11201, USA.
| | - Ameed Shehayeb
- Baha and Walid Bassatne Department of Chemical Engineering and Advanced Energy, Maroun Semaan Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
- CIRAIG, Department of Chemical Engineering, Polytechnique Montréal, Montréal, Canada
| | - Alissar Yehya
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Maroun Semaan Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, MA, Cambridge, USA
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Dada OA, Bello JO. Microplastics in carnivorous fish species, water and sediments of a coastal urban lagoon in Nigeria. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:55948-55957. [PMID: 36914928 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-26410-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Plastic marine debris is a common source of pollution. Recent research has shown that plastic debris has a negative impact on marine organisms and the environment. For the first time, we investigated the presence of microplastics (MPs) in the Nigerian Lagos Lagoon ecosystem water, sediment, and the most important fish species (Hepsetus odoe, Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus, Oreochromis niloticus, and Lachnolaimus maximus). MPs were found in water, sediment, and three carnivorous fish species (H. odoe, C. nigrodigitatus, and L. maximus), except for herbivorous O. niloticus, raising concerns about the health of the Nigerian Lagos Lagoon ecosystem and the human food chain. Across the lagoon, fibres were more concentrated in the water, while fragments predominated in the sediment. Plastic debris from recreational, industrial, and domestic wastes contributed significantly to this contamination. Given the potential dangers of MPs to human health, it is critical to protect the ecosystem and its inhabitants in the Lagoon from plastic pollution. Our findings highlight the need for urgent measures to protect Nigeria's fragile coastal and marine ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olusegun A Dada
- Coastal and Marine Environment Research Group, Department of Marine Science and Technology, Federal University of Technology, Akure, 340252, Nigeria.
| | - Jummai O Bello
- Coastal and Marine Environment Research Group, Department of Marine Science and Technology, Federal University of Technology, Akure, 340252, Nigeria
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7
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Saeed MS, Halim SZ, Fahd F, Khan F, Sadiq R, Chen B. An ecotoxicological risk model for the microplastics in arctic waters. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 315:120417. [PMID: 36243188 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Revised: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The risk posed to Arctic marine life by microplastics, a Contaminants of Emerging Arctic Concern (CEAC), is poorly known. The reason is the limited understanding of the dose-response relationship due to the region's peculiar environmental and geophysical properties and the unique physiological properties of the species living there. The properties of microplastics in the region and their distribution across the oceanic profile further complicate the problem. This paper addresses the knowledge gap by proposing a novel comprehensive ecotoxicity model. The model uses oxidative stress caused by the Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) to assess cell mortality. Cell mortality has been used as an indicator of ecological risk. The model is implemented in the Bayesian Network (BN) framework to evaluate the cytotoxicity, measured as the probability of causing mortality. The work enhances the understanding and assessment of the cytotoxicity of microplastics in polar cod and associated risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Sadiq Saeed
- Centre for Risk, Integrity, and Safety Engineering (C-RISE), Faculty of Engineering & Applied Science, Memorial University, St John's, NL, A1B 3X5, Canada; Mary Kay O'Connor Process Safety Center (MKOPSC), Artie McFerrin Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Syeda Zohra Halim
- Mary Kay O'Connor Process Safety Center (MKOPSC), Artie McFerrin Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Faisal Fahd
- Centre for Risk, Integrity, and Safety Engineering (C-RISE), Faculty of Engineering & Applied Science, Memorial University, St John's, NL, A1B 3X5, Canada
| | - Faisal Khan
- Mary Kay O'Connor Process Safety Center (MKOPSC), Artie McFerrin Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, College Station, TX, 77843, USA.
| | - Rehan Sadiq
- School of Engineering, Okanagan Campus, Faculty of Applied Science, University of British Columbia, Okanagan, BC, V1V 1V7, Canada
| | - Bing Chen
- Northern Region Persistent Organic Pollution Control Laboratory (NRPOP Lab), Faculty of Engineering & Applied Science, Memorial University, St John's, NL, A1B 3X5, Canada
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8
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Gonçalves JM, Beckmann C, Bebianno MJ. Assessing the effects of the cytostatic drug 5-Fluorouracil alone and in a mixture of emerging contaminants on the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 305:135462. [PMID: 35753414 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.135462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Revised: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The assessment of contaminants of emerging concern, alone and in mixtures, and their effects on marine biota requires attention. 5-Fluorouracil is a cytostatic category 3 anti-cancer medication (IARC) that is used to treat a variety of cancers, including colon, pancreatic, and breast cancer. In the presence of other pollutants, this pharmaceutical can interact and form mixtures of contaminants, such as adhering to plastics and interaction with metal nanoparticles. This study aimed to comprehend the effects of 5-Fluorouracil (5FU; 10 ng/L) and a mixture of emerging contaminants (Mix): silver nanoparticles (nAg; 20 nm; 10 μg/L), polystyrene nanoparticles (nPS; 50 nm; 10 μg/L) and 5FU (10 ng/L), in an in vivo (21 days) exposure of the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis. A multibiomarker approach namely genotoxicity, the antioxidant defence system (superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidases (GPx), glutathione - S - transferases (GST) activities), and oxidative damage (LPO) was used to assess the effects in gills and digestive gland of mussels. Both treatments cause genotoxicity in mussel's haemolymph, and antagonism between contaminants was observed in the Mix. Genotoxicity observed confirms 5FU's mode of action (MoA) by DNA damage. The antioxidant defence system of mussels exposed to 5FU kicked in and counter balanced ROS generated during the exposure, though the same was not seen in Mix-exposed mussels. Mussels were able to withstand the effects of the single compound but not the effects of the Mix. For oxidative stress and damage, the interactions of the components of the mixture have a synergistic effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna M Gonçalves
- Centre for Marine and Environmental Research, University of Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8000-139, Faro, Portugal
| | - Clara Beckmann
- Centre for Marine and Environmental Research, University of Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8000-139, Faro, Portugal
| | - Maria João Bebianno
- Centre for Marine and Environmental Research, University of Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8000-139, Faro, Portugal.
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9
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Solomando A, Cohen-Sánchez A, Box A, Montero I, Pinya S, Sureda A. Microplastic presence in the pelagic fish, Seriola dumerili, from Balearic Islands (Western Mediterranean), and assessment of oxidative stress and detoxification biomarkers in liver. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 212:113369. [PMID: 35508220 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.113369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) are characterized by their high persistence in marine ecosystems, and due to their small size, they can be easily ingested by very diverse organisms. Although the presence of MPs in wild fish is well documented, there is still limited information on their potential to induce adverse effects. Pelagic fish species, because of their wide distribution, are considered good bioindicators for monitoring environmental pollution of marine ecosystems. This study investigated the presence of MPs in the gastrointestinal tract of the predatory pelagic fish (Seriola dumerili) in the Balearic Islands (Mediterranean Sea), and the possible relationship with oxidative stress through the analysis of biomarkers in liver tissue. The results showed the presence of MPs in 98% of total samples examined (n = 52) with an average of 12.2 ± 1.3 MPs/individual. A greater amount of fibre-like particles was isolated compared to fragments. No correlation between the presence of MPs in the gastrointestinal contents and the size of the fishes was noted. Antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase and catalase) and the phase II detoxification enzyme glutathione-S-transferase showed increased activities in fish with higher MPs load. The activity ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase and the levels of malondialdehyde were similar in both groups. In conclusion, the present results provide an important database on the assessment of the presence of MP debris in S. dumerili gastrointestinal tract and, the potential capability to cause oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antònia Solomando
- Research Group in Community Nutrition and Oxidative Stress (NUCOX), University of Balearic Islands-IUNICS, 07122, Palma de Mallorca, Balearic Islands, Spain; Interdisciplinary Ecology Group, Department of Biology, University of the Balearic Islands, E-07122, Palma de Mallorca, Balearic Islands, Spain.
| | - Amanda Cohen-Sánchez
- Research Group in Community Nutrition and Oxidative Stress (NUCOX), University of Balearic Islands-IUNICS, 07122, Palma de Mallorca, Balearic Islands, Spain.
| | - Antonio Box
- Department of Agricultura, Ramaderia, Pesca, Caça i Cooperació Municipal, Consell Insular d'Eivissa, 07800, Balearic Islands, Spain.
| | - Inmaculada Montero
- Grup D'Accio Local Per Al Desenvolupament Rural D'Eivissa i Formentera (GALEF), 07800, Ibiza, Balearic Islands, Spain.
| | - Samuel Pinya
- Interdisciplinary Ecology Group, Department of Biology, University of the Balearic Islands, E-07122, Palma de Mallorca, Balearic Islands, Spain.
| | - Antoni Sureda
- Research Group in Community Nutrition and Oxidative Stress (NUCOX), University of Balearic Islands-IUNICS, 07122, Palma de Mallorca, Balearic Islands, Spain; CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBEROBN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28029, Madrid, Spain; Health Research Institute of Balearic Islands (IdISBa), 07120, Palma de Mallorca, Spain.
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10
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Abelouah MR, Ben-Haddad M, Hajji S, De-la-Torre GE, Aziz T, Oualid JA, Banni M, Ait Alla A. Floating microplastics pollution in the Central Atlantic Ocean of Morocco: Insights into the occurrence, characterization, and fate. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2022; 182:113969. [PMID: 35905704 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.113969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/16/2022] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
This work presents preliminary results about abundance, distribution, characteristics, sources, and fate of microplastics (MPs) in the Central Atlantic Ocean (CAO) of Morocco. The investigation was conducted into three subsections, each characterized by different types of human activities and covering rural, village, and urban areas. MPs were detected in 100 % of the sampling sites. The abundances varied from 0.048 to 3.305 items/m3, with a mean abundance of 0.987 ± 1.081 items/m3. MPs abundance was higher in surface seawater linked to urban areas compared to village and rural areas. The dominant polymer type was polyester (PET-53.8 %) followed by polypropylene (PP-24.36 %), polyamide (PA-7.56 %), polystyrene (PS-6.88 %), polyvinyl chloride (PVC-2.64 %), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA-2.60 %), polyetherurethane (PUR-1.36 %), and acrylic (AC-0.8 %). Fibers were the most dominant shapes accounting for over 50 %. MPs were mainly smaller than 2 mm in size (71 %) and characterized by colorful aspects. These findings suggested that wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluents and anthropogenic activities (industry, tourism, sanitation, and fishing) are the major pollution sources of MPs in the study area. SEM/EDX micrographs showed different weathering degrees and chemical elements adhered to the MPs surface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Rida Abelouah
- Laboratory of Aquatic Systems: Marine and Continental Environments, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Zohr University, Agadir, Morocco
| | - Mohamed Ben-Haddad
- Laboratory of Aquatic Systems: Marine and Continental Environments, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Zohr University, Agadir, Morocco
| | - Sara Hajji
- Laboratory of Aquatic Systems: Marine and Continental Environments, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Zohr University, Agadir, Morocco
| | | | - Taoufyq Aziz
- Laboratoire Matériaux et Environnement (LME), Faculté des Sciences d'Agadir, Maroc, Morocco
| | - Jaouad Abou Oualid
- Laboratory of Aquatic Systems: Marine and Continental Environments, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Zohr University, Agadir, Morocco
| | - Mohamed Banni
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Environmental Toxicology, Higher Institute of Agronomy, University of Sousse, Tunisia; University of Monastir, Higher Institute of Biotechnology of Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia
| | - Aicha Ait Alla
- Laboratory of Aquatic Systems: Marine and Continental Environments, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Zohr University, Agadir, Morocco.
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11
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Sánchez-Almeida R, Hernández-Sánchez C, Villanova-Solano C, Díaz-Peña FJ, Clemente S, González-Sálamo J, González-Pleiter M, Hernández-Borges J. Microplastics Determination in Gastrointestinal Tracts of European Sea Bass ( Dicentrarchus labrax) and Gilt-Head Sea Bream ( Sparus aurata) from Tenerife (Canary Islands, Spain). Polymers (Basel) 2022; 14:polym14101931. [PMID: 35631814 PMCID: PMC9147029 DOI: 10.3390/polym14101931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2022] [Revised: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Microplastic pollution has an extremely widespread distribution, to the extent that microplastics could be ingested by aquatic organisms, including species of commercial importance for fisheries and aquaculture. In this work, the anthropogenic particles content of the gastrointestinal tracts of 86 individuals of cultivated European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax, n = 45) and gilt-head sea bream (Sparus aurata, n = 41) from Tenerife (Canary Islands, Spain) was determined. Samples were bought at local markets and directly transported to the laboratory. After the dissection of the fishes and digestion of the gastrointestinal tracts in 10% KOH (w/v) at 60 °C for 24 h, the digests were filtered (50 µm stainless-steel mesh) and visualized under a stereomicroscope, finding that most of the items were colourless (47.7% for Dicentrarchus labrax and 60.9% for Sparus aurata) and blue (35.3% vs. 24.8%) microfibers, with an average length of 1957 ± 1699 µm and 1988 ± 1853 µm, respectively. Moreover, 15.3% of the microfibres were analysed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, showing the prevalence of cellulosic fibres together with polyester, polyacrylonitrile, and poly(ether-urethane). This pattern (microplastics shapes, colours, sizes, and composition) clearly agrees with previous studies carried out in the Canary Islands region regarding the determination of microplastics in the marine environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Sánchez-Almeida
- Departamento de Química, Unidad Departamental de Química Analítica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez, s/n, 38206 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain; (R.S.-A.); (C.V.-S.); (J.G.-S.)
| | - Cintia Hernández-Sánchez
- Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Forense y Legal y Parasitología, Área de Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Escuela Politécnica Superior de Ingeniería, Sección de Náutica, Máquinas y Radioelectrónica Naval, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Vía Auxiliar Paso Alto, 2, 38001 Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez, s/n, 38206 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain
- Correspondence: (C.H.-S.); (J.H.-B.); Tel.: +34-922-31-64-90 (C.H.-S.); +34-922-31-80-39 (J.H.-B.)
| | - Cristina Villanova-Solano
- Departamento de Química, Unidad Departamental de Química Analítica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez, s/n, 38206 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain; (R.S.-A.); (C.V.-S.); (J.G.-S.)
| | - Francisco Javier Díaz-Peña
- Departamento de Biología Animal, Edafología y Geología, Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez, s/n, 38206 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain; (F.J.D.-P.); (S.C.)
| | - Sabrina Clemente
- Departamento de Biología Animal, Edafología y Geología, Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez, s/n, 38206 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain; (F.J.D.-P.); (S.C.)
| | - Javier González-Sálamo
- Departamento de Química, Unidad Departamental de Química Analítica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez, s/n, 38206 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain; (R.S.-A.); (C.V.-S.); (J.G.-S.)
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez, s/n, 38206 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain
- Department of Chemistry, Sapienza University, P.le Aldo Moro, 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Miguel González-Pleiter
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Javier Hernández-Borges
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez, s/n, 38206 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain
- Departamento de Biología Animal, Edafología y Geología, Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez, s/n, 38206 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain; (F.J.D.-P.); (S.C.)
- Correspondence: (C.H.-S.); (J.H.-B.); Tel.: +34-922-31-64-90 (C.H.-S.); +34-922-31-80-39 (J.H.-B.)
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Abelouah MR, Ben-Haddad M, Rangel-Buitrago N, Hajji S, El Alem N, Ait Alla A. Microplastics pollution along the central Atlantic coastline of Morocco. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2022; 174:113190. [PMID: 34856433 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.113190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/21/2021] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
This baseline study describes the microplastic (MPs) problem on seven beaches located on Agadir, central Atlantic coast of Morocco. Microplastics abundances (densities) ranged from 7680 MPs/kg to 34,200 MPs/kg above other world beaches. The following shapes were found: fibers, fragments, films, and pellets. Fibers were the dominant typology with a 73%. Polyethylene (PE) was the predominant polymer in all beaches with an average percentage of 59%, followed by Polypropylene (PP - 18%), Polystyrene (PS - 9%), Polyvinyl chloride (PVC - 8%), and Ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA - 6%). Microplastics abundances presented in this work suggest continuous inputs of plastics of all sizes and types. Also, all observed shapes highlight a combination of sources (primary and secondary). Central Atlantic Moroccan beaches are currently affected by extreme values of MPs that demand urgent interventions to restore environmental quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Rida Abelouah
- Laboratory of Aquatic Systems: Marine and continental Environments, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Zohr University, Agadir, Morocco.
| | - Mohamed Ben-Haddad
- Laboratory of Aquatic Systems: Marine and continental Environments, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Zohr University, Agadir, Morocco.
| | - Nelson Rangel-Buitrago
- Programa de Física, Facultad de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad del Atlántico, Barranquilla, Atlántico, Colombia; Programa de Biologia, Facultad de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad del Atlántico, Barranquilla, Atlántico, Colombia
| | - Sara Hajji
- Laboratory of Aquatic Systems: Marine and continental Environments, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Zohr University, Agadir, Morocco
| | - Noureddine El Alem
- Laboratory of Materials & Environment, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Zohr University, Agadir, Morocco
| | - Aicha Ait Alla
- Laboratory of Aquatic Systems: Marine and continental Environments, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Zohr University, Agadir, Morocco
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Wootton N, Reis-Santos P, Dowsett N, Turnbull A, Gillanders BM. Low abundance of microplastics in commercially caught fish across southern Australia. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2021; 290:118030. [PMID: 34461419 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.118030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Revised: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 08/21/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Plastic pollution has increased significantly in the past decades and is now a major global environmental issue. Plastic objects enter the ocean and are broken down into smaller pieces, while wastewater and runoff also carry microplastics (plastics <5 mm) into the ocean. Plastic has been found in over 700 different species of marine wildlife but little research has examined fish sold for human consumption. We determined the microplastic abundance in nine commercially important, wild-caught fish species purchased from seafood markets across 4000 km of Australia (Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria, Tasmania, New South Wales). For microplastic quantification, fish gastro-intestinal tracts were chemically digested and the amount and type of microplastic identified under a microscope and Fourier transform infrared spectrometer. Across all states, an average of 35.5% of fish samples had at least one piece of microplastic in their gastro-intestinal tract. South Australia had the highest percentage of fish with plastic (49%) and Tasmania the lowest (20%). The average microplastic load was 0.94 piece per fish but ranged from 0 to 17 pieces, with polyolefin identified as the dominant polymer group. Overall, the ingestion of microplastic was widespread across species, locations, diets and habitat niches of fish species investigated, but the average plastic ingestion was less than other similar global studies. This study provides novel insights on the use of fish species from seafood markets to assess environmental contamination by microplastic, as well as an important perspective of the potential for microplastic contamination to enter the human food chain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Wootton
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, SA, 5005, Australia.
| | | | - Natalie Dowsett
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, SA, 5005, Australia; South Australian Research and Development Institute, Food Sciences Division, GPO Box 397, Adelaide, SA, 5001, Australia
| | - Alison Turnbull
- South Australian Research and Development Institute, Food Sciences Division, GPO Box 397, Adelaide, SA, 5001, Australia; Institute of Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Taroona, Tasmania, 7053, Australia
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