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Belli IM, Cavali M, Garbossa LHP, Franco D, Bayard R, de Castilhos Junior AB. A review of plastic debris in the South American Atlantic Ocean coast - Distribution, characteristics, policies and legal aspects. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 938:173197. [PMID: 38772490 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Revised: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 05/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024]
Abstract
The presence of plastics in the oceans has already become a pervasive phenomenon. Marine pollution by plastics surpasses the status of an emerging threat to become a well-established environmental problem, boosting research on this topic. However, despite many studies on the main seas and oceans, it is necessary to compile information on the South American Atlantic Ocean Coast to identify the lack of research and expand knowledge on marine plastic pollution in this region. Accordingly, this paper conducted an in-depth review of monitoring methods, sampling, and identification of macroplastics and microplastics (MPs) in water, sediments, and biota, including information on legal requirements from different countries as well as non-governmental initiatives. Brazil was the country with the highest number of published papers, followed by Argentina. MPs accounted for 75 % of the papers selected, with blue microfibers being the most common morphology, whereas PE and PP were the most abundant polymers. Also, a lack of standardization in the methodologies used was identified; however, the sites with the highest concentrations of MPs were the Bahía Blanca Estuary (Argentina), Guanabara Bay (Brazil), and Todos os Santos Bay (Brazil), regardless of the method applied. Regarding legislation, Uruguay and Argentina have the most advanced policies in the region against marine plastic pollution due to their emphasis on the life cycle and the national ban on certain single-use plastics. Therefore, considering its content, this expert review can be useful to assist researchers dealing with plastic pollution along the South American Atlantic Ocean Coast.
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Affiliation(s)
- Igor Marcon Belli
- Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering, Federal University of Santa Catarina, 88040-900 Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil.
| | - Matheus Cavali
- Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering, Federal University of Santa Catarina, 88040-900 Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | | | - Davide Franco
- Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering, Federal University of Santa Catarina, 88040-900 Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Rémy Bayard
- INSA Lyon, DEEP, UR7429, 69621 Villeurbanne, France
| | - Armando Borges de Castilhos Junior
- Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering, Federal University of Santa Catarina, 88040-900 Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
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Soares MAM, Ferreira ERR, Tavares D, Moron SE, Fernandes MN, Mariano WDS, Paulino MG. Multi-Biomarkers' Responses in Gills of Oreochromis niloticus Exposed to Glyphosate and Polyethylene Microplastic, Isolated and in Mixture. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY 2024. [PMID: 39051743 DOI: 10.1002/tox.24386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2024] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) and glyphosate-based herbicides (GBH) are among the most common contaminants in aquatic environments. In Brazilian rivers, both contaminants were found in elevated levels, leading to a high probability of their association, which can alter their individual effects and potentially intensify their toxicity. This study evaluated the isolated and combined effects of polyethylene microplastics (PE-MPs) and GBH on Oreochromis niloticus using multi-biomarkers of toxicity. The fish were subjected to a 96-h exposure period, with concentrations set based either isolated, PE-MPs group (5 mg L-1), GBH group (5 mg L-1), or in a group of associated contaminants (GAC), PE-MP + GBH (5 mg L-1 + 5 mg L-1). Toxicity effects were evaluated using biochemical, cytogenetic, hematological, and histopathological biomarkers. We observed change in erythrocyte parameters leading to macrocytic normochromic anemia in GAC. Leukocyte parameters indicate a nonspecific immunosuppression caused by the exposure of associated contaminants, besides the attempts to repair damage caused by PE-MPs. Histopathological markers indicate damage to tissues exposed to contaminants. Besides, there were morphophysiological adjustments on gills, with proliferation and hypertrophy of mitochondria-rich cells on GBH and GAC, besides epithelium ruptures, which were mostly present in the exposed groups. Therefore, this study indicates that PE-MPs and GBHs present toxic effects in O. niloticus with the used concentrations, intensified by the association of contaminants. Thus, multi-biomarkers were useful key to verify toxicity, providing data to the investigation of high levels of contaminant's mixture toxicity present in aquatic environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Aurélio Miranda Soares
- Laboratory of Morphophysiology and Biochemistry of Neotropical Fishes, Center of Agrarian Sciences, Federal University of Northern Tocantins, Araguaína, Tocantins, Brazil
| | - Ericsson Rubens Rodrigues Ferreira
- Laboratory of Morphophysiology and Biochemistry of Neotropical Fishes, Center of Agrarian Sciences, Federal University of Northern Tocantins, Araguaína, Tocantins, Brazil
| | - Driele Tavares
- Laboratory of Zoophysiology and Comparative Biochemistry, Department of Physiological Sciences, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Sandro Estevan Moron
- Laboratory of Morphophysiology and Biochemistry of Neotropical Fishes, Center of Agrarian Sciences, Federal University of Northern Tocantins, Araguaína, Tocantins, Brazil
| | - Marisa Narciso Fernandes
- Laboratory of Zoophysiology and Comparative Biochemistry, Department of Physiological Sciences, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Wagner Dos Santos Mariano
- Laboratory of Comparative Animal Morphophysiology, Center of Integrated Sciences, Federal University of Northern Tocantins, Araguaína, Tocantins, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Gustavo Paulino
- Laboratory of Comparative Animal Morphophysiology, Center of Integrated Sciences, Federal University of Northern Tocantins, Araguaína, Tocantins, Brazil
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Waqas M, Wong MS, Stocchino A, Abbas S, Hafeez S, Zhu R. Marine plastic pollution detection and identification by using remote sensing-meta analysis. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 197:115746. [PMID: 37951122 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115746] [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: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/13/2023]
Abstract
The persistent plastic litter, originating from different sources and transported from rivers to oceans, has posed serious biological, ecological, and chemical effects on the marine ecosystem, and is considered a global issue. In the past decade, many studies have identified, monitored, and tracked marine plastic debris in coastal and open ocean areas using remote sensing technologies. Compared to traditional surveying methods, high-resolution (spatial and temporal) multispectral or hyperspectral remote sensing data have been substantially used to monitor floating marine macro litter (FMML). In this systematic review, we present an overview of remote sensing data and techniques for detecting FMML, as well as their challenges and opportunities. We reviewed the studies based on different sensors and platforms, spatial and spectral resolution, ground sampling data, plastic detection methods, and accuracy obtained in detecting marine litter. In addition, this study elaborates the usefulness of high-resolution remote sensing data in Visible (VIS), Near-infrared (NIR), and Short-Wave InfraRed (SWIR) range, along with spectral signatures of plastic, in-situ samples, and spectral indices for automatic detection of FMML. Moreover, the Thermal Infrared (TIR), Synthetic aperture radar (SAR), and Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) data were introduced and these were demonstrated that could be used as a supplement dataset for the identification and quantification of FMML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Waqas
- Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Man Sing Wong
- Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China; Research Institute of Land and Space, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Alessandro Stocchino
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Sawaid Abbas
- Remote Sensing, GIS and Climatic Research Lab (RSGCRL), National Center of GIS and Space Applications, University of the Punjab, Lahore 54590, Pakistan
| | - Sidrah Hafeez
- Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Rui Zhu
- Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China; Research Institute of Land and Space, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
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Branco FOL, Pegado T, Giarrizzo T, Rodrigues CCDS, Corrêa JAM. Association between PAH and plastic fragments on Brazilian coast beaches: a baseline assessment. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:121895-121907. [PMID: 37962762 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-30863-4] [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: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
Plastic materials have many destinies on the environment, and one of them is its continuous fragmentation, originating microplastics (MP). MP act as an adsorption surface for organic pollutants like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). Due to its toxic and harmful properties, 16 PAH are defined as priorities in studies. Several works have evaluated the occurrence of MP and PAH individually in environmental matrices, but just a few have investigated their association. The present study aims to investigate PAH occurrence, sources, and concentration in MP from beach sediments of eight Brazilian coastal states. Sixteen PAH were analyzed by gas chromatography, in which 14 PAH were detected, and PAH total concentration (ΣPAH) ranged from 0.25 to 71.60 ng g-1. In the North and Northeast regions, the low PAH concentrations in MP appear to be related to the intense hydrodynamic processes. Naphthalene levels on the Styrofoam were above the threshold effect level in two samples and near it on one; therefore, effects in the organisms might occur due to these PAH. The Southeast and South regions are the only ones with previous studies relating PAH with MP, and ΣPAH ranged from 0.34 to 2.52 ng g-1. According to the diagnostic ratios, the PAH sources were associated with industrial and port activities, untreated effluent disposal, and urban runoff by pluvial waters. The highest ΣPAH level was found in the Styrofoam samples, suggesting that this MP type might contribute considerable to PAH dispersion on Brazilian coast beaches.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tamyris Pegado
- Laboratory of Fisheries Biology and Aquatic Resources Management, Nucleus of Amazonian Aquatic Ecology and Fisheries, Federal University of Pará, Belém, PA, Brazil
| | - Tommaso Giarrizzo
- Laboratory of Fisheries Biology and Aquatic Resources Management, Nucleus of Amazonian Aquatic Ecology and Fisheries, Federal University of Pará, Belém, PA, Brazil
- Institute of Marine Science (LABOMAR), Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
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Justino AKS, Ferreira GVB, Fauvelle V, Schmidt N, Lenoble V, Pelage L, Lucena-Frédou F. Exploring microplastic contamination in reef-associated fishes of the Tropical Atlantic. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 192:115087. [PMID: 37263026 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) are ubiquitous in marine compartments, and their transboundary distribution favours the dispersion and accumulation of particles in ecosystems. This study investigated MP contamination in four coastal fish species (Haemulon squamipinna, Chaetodon ocellatus, Syacium micrurum, and Alphestes afer) from the southwestern Tropical Atlantic. An alkaline treatment was applied to extract MPs from the digestive tracts, and a Laser Direct Infrared (LDIR) system was used to identify polymers. All species analysed were contaminated with MPs, with Alphestes afer being the most contaminated (1.45 ± 1.09 MPs individual-1; frequency of occurrence 80 %). No significant differences were found in the number and size of detected particles among species. The most common shapes were fibres and films, and polyethylene was the most abundant polymer. This study provides important baseline data on MP contamination in coastal fish species inhabiting complex habitat areas relevant for conserving marine biodiversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne K S Justino
- Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco (UFRPE), Departamento de Pesca e Aquicultura (DEPAQ), Rua Dom Manuel de Medeiros, s/n, 52171-900 Recife, Brazil; Université de Toulon, Aix Marseille Univ., CNRS, IRD, MIO, Toulon, France.
| | - Guilherme V B Ferreira
- Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco (UFRPE), Departamento de Pesca e Aquicultura (DEPAQ), Rua Dom Manuel de Medeiros, s/n, 52171-900 Recife, Brazil
| | - Vincent Fauvelle
- Université de Toulouse, LEGOS (CNES/CNRS/IRD/UPS), Toulouse, France
| | - Natascha Schmidt
- NILU - Norwegian Institute for Air Research, Fram Centre, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Véronique Lenoble
- Université de Toulon, Aix Marseille Univ., CNRS, IRD, MIO, Toulon, France
| | - Latifa Pelage
- Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco (UFRPE), Departamento de Pesca e Aquicultura (DEPAQ), Rua Dom Manuel de Medeiros, s/n, 52171-900 Recife, Brazil
| | - Flávia Lucena-Frédou
- Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco (UFRPE), Departamento de Pesca e Aquicultura (DEPAQ), Rua Dom Manuel de Medeiros, s/n, 52171-900 Recife, Brazil
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Mylius KA, Lavers JL, Woehler EJ, Rodemann T, Keys BC, Rivers-Auty J. Foraging strategy influences the quantity of ingested micro- and nanoplastics in shorebirds. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 319:120844. [PMID: 36596375 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 12/04/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Coastlines, including estuaries, mudflats, and beaches, are particularly susceptible to plastic pollution, which can accumulate from both marine and terrestrial sources. While numerous studies have confirmed the presence of microplastics (1-5 mm) along coastlines, few have focused on very small particles (<1 μm) or quantified exposure within the organisms that inhabit these areas, such as shorebirds. Here, we quantified small plastics (200 nm-70 μm) in two resident shorebird species in Tasmania, and compared this to quantities found in the surrounding sediments in order to investigate the potential exposure and transfer of particles within these ecosystems. Analysis was performed using a combination of flow cytometry for quantification of micro- and nanoplastics (200 nm-70 μm), and μm-FT-IR for validation and polymer identification of particles >5.5 × 5.5 μm. Micro- and nano-plastics were detected in 100% of guano samples from surface-feeding Eastern Hooded Plovers (Thinornis cucullatus) and 90% of Australian Pied Oystercatcher (Haematopus longirostris) guano, a species that forages for coastal invertebrates at 60-90 mm depth, and 100% of beach sediments. Hooded Plover guano contained 32 × more plastics, on average, than Pied Oystercatcher guano. Interestingly, the abundance of plastic particles within sediments collected from shorebird foraging sites did not appear to have a significant effect on the number of plastics the birds had ingested, suggesting the difference between species is likely a result of other variables, such as prey selection. The results of this study highlight the importance of including techniques that provide quantitative data on the abundance and size of the smallest possible particle sizes, and demonstrate the significant proportion of small plastics that are 'missed' using standard analysis tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karli A Mylius
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, 20 Castray Esplanade, Battery Point, Tasmania, 7004, Australia
| | - Jennifer L Lavers
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, 20 Castray Esplanade, Battery Point, Tasmania, 7004, Australia; Esperance Tjaltjraak Native Title Aboriginal Corporation, 11A Shelden Road, Esperance, Western Australia, 6450, Australia.
| | | | - Thomas Rodemann
- Central Sciences Laboratory, University of Tasmania, Dynnyrne, Tasmania, 7005, Australia
| | - Bianca C Keys
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, 20 Castray Esplanade, Battery Point, Tasmania, 7004, Australia
| | - Jack Rivers-Auty
- Tasmanian School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, 7000, Australia
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Justino AKS, Ferreira GVB, Schmidt N, Eduardo LN, Fauvelle V, Lenoble V, Sempéré R, Panagiotopoulos C, Mincarone MM, Frédou T, Lucena-Frédou F. The role of mesopelagic fishes as microplastics vectors across the deep-sea layers from the Southwestern Tropical Atlantic. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 300:118988. [PMID: 35157937 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.118988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Revised: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs; <5 mm) are a macro issue recognised worldwide as a threat to biodiversity and ecosystems. Widely distributed in marine ecosystems, MPs have already been found in the deep-sea environment. However, there is little information on ecological mechanisms driving MP uptake by deep-sea species. For the first time, this study generates data on MP contamination in mesopelagic fishes from the Southwestern Tropical Atlantic (SWTA) to help understand the deep-sea contamination patterns. An alkaline digestion protocol was applied to extract MPs from the digestive tract of four mesopelagic fish species: Argyropelecus sladeni, Sternoptyx diaphana (Sternoptychidae), Diaphus brachycephalus, and Hygophum taaningi (Myctophidae). A total of 213 particles were recovered from 170 specimens, and MPs were found in 67% of the specimens. Fibres were the most common shape found in all species, whereas polyamide, polyethylene, and polyethylene terephthalate were the most frequent polymers. The most contaminated species was A. sladeni (93%), and the least contaminated was S. diaphana (45%). Interestingly, individuals caught in the lower mesopelagic zone (500-1000 m depth) were less contaminated with MPs than those captured in the upper mesopelagic layer (200-500 m). Our results highlight significant contamination levels and reveal the influence of mesopelagic fishes on MPs transport in the deep waters of the SWTA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne K S Justino
- Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco (UFRPE), Departamento de Pesca e Aquicultura (DEPAQ), Rua Dom Manuel de Medeiros, S/n, 52171-900, Recife, Brazil; Université de Toulon, Aix Marseille Univ., CNRS, IRD, MIO, Toulon, France.
| | - Guilherme V B Ferreira
- Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco (UFRPE), Departamento de Pesca e Aquicultura (DEPAQ), Rua Dom Manuel de Medeiros, S/n, 52171-900, Recife, Brazil
| | - Natascha Schmidt
- Aix Marseille Univ., Université de Toulon, CNRS, IRD, MIO, Marseille, France
| | - Leandro N Eduardo
- Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco (UFRPE), Departamento de Pesca e Aquicultura (DEPAQ), Rua Dom Manuel de Medeiros, S/n, 52171-900, Recife, Brazil; Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), MARBEC, Univ. Montpellier, CNRS, Ifremer, IRD, Sète, France
| | - Vincent Fauvelle
- Aix Marseille Univ., Université de Toulon, CNRS, IRD, MIO, Marseille, France
| | - Véronique Lenoble
- Université de Toulon, Aix Marseille Univ., CNRS, IRD, MIO, Toulon, France
| | - Richard Sempéré
- Aix Marseille Univ., Université de Toulon, CNRS, IRD, MIO, Marseille, France
| | | | - Michael M Mincarone
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Instituto de Biodiversidade e Sustentabilidade (NUPEM), Macaé, RJ, Brazil
| | - Thierry Frédou
- Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco (UFRPE), Departamento de Pesca e Aquicultura (DEPAQ), Rua Dom Manuel de Medeiros, S/n, 52171-900, Recife, Brazil
| | - Flávia Lucena-Frédou
- Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco (UFRPE), Departamento de Pesca e Aquicultura (DEPAQ), Rua Dom Manuel de Medeiros, S/n, 52171-900, Recife, Brazil
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Malli A, Corella-Puertas E, Hajjar C, Boulay AM. Transport mechanisms and fate of microplastics in estuarine compartments: A review. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2022; 177:113553. [PMID: 35303633 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.113553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Revised: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Despite the importance of estuaries as transition zones between freshwater and marine compartments, their role in the transport of microplastics is still unclear. This review analyzes the findings pertaining to the transport mechanisms and other factors that influence the fate of microplastics in estuaries. It was found that the concentration of microplastics temporally varies under daily tides, monthly tides, and seasonal flows. Moreover, it spatially varies due to density effects, biofouling, aggregation, and salinity. Wind direction and intensity impact the spatiotemporal distribution of microplastics in the water column. Some of these processes transport microplastics to the estuarine sediments. Thereafter, microplastics are prone to resuspension by turbulence and bioturbation. Hence, estuaries act as temporary sinks that retain microplastics before being flushed to the ocean. Finally, a review of highly plastic-emitting rivers shows differences in the factors affecting the transport mechanisms of microplastics, which calls for regionalization when modelling their fate henceforward.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Malli
- CIRAIG, Department of Chemical Engineering, Polytechnique Montreal, Montreal, Canada; Baha and Walid Bassatne Department of Chemical Engineering and Advanced Energy, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon.
| | - Elena Corella-Puertas
- CIRAIG, Department of Chemical Engineering, Polytechnique Montreal, Montreal, Canada
| | - Carla Hajjar
- CIRAIG, Department of Chemical Engineering, Polytechnique Montreal, Montreal, Canada
| | - Anne-Marie Boulay
- CIRAIG, Department of Chemical Engineering, Polytechnique Montreal, Montreal, Canada
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Lacerda ALDF, Taylor JD, Rodrigues LDS, Kessler F, Secchi E, Proietti MC. Floating plastics and their associated biota in the Western South Atlantic. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 805:150186. [PMID: 34818771 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.150186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Revised: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The lack of information about plastic pollution in many marine regions hinders firm actions to manage human activities and mitigate their impacts. This study conducted for the first time a quali-quantitative evaluation of floating plastics and their associated biota from coastal and oceanic waters in South Brazil. Plastics were collected using a manta net, and were categorized according to their shape, size, malleability and polymer composition. Multi-marker DNA metabarcoding (16S, and 18S V4 and V9 rRNA regions) was performed to identify prokaryotes and eukaryotes associated to plastics. We found 371 likely plastic particles of several sizes, shapes and polymers, and the average concentration of plastics at the region was 4461 items.km-2 (SD ± 3914). Microplastics (0.5 - 5 mm) were dominant in most sampling stations, with fragments and lines representing the most common shapes. Diverse groups of prokaryotes (20 bacteria phyla) and eukaryotes (41 groups) were associated with plastics. Both the community composition and richness of epiplastic organisms were highly variable between individual plastics but, in general, were not influenced by plastic categories. Organisms with potential pathogenicity (e.g. Vibrio species. and Alexandrium tamarense), as well as potential plastic degraders (e.g. Ralstonia, Pseudomonas, and Alcanivorax species), were found. The information generated here is pivotal to support strategies to prevent the input and mitigate the impacts of plastics and their associated organisms on marine environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana L D F Lacerda
- Projeto Lixo Marinho - Instituto de Oceanografia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande-FURG, Rio Grande, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Oceanografia Biológica, PPGOB, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande-FURG, Rio Grande, Brazil; Laboratoire d'Océanographie de Villefranche, Sorbonne Université, Villefranche-sur-Mer, France.
| | - Joe D Taylor
- School of Chemistry and Biosciences, University of Bradford, Bradford, West Yorkshire, United Kingdom
| | - Lucas D S Rodrigues
- Projeto Lixo Marinho - Instituto de Oceanografia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande-FURG, Rio Grande, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Oceanografia Biológica, PPGOB, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande-FURG, Rio Grande, Brazil
| | - Felipe Kessler
- Projeto Lixo Marinho - Instituto de Oceanografia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande-FURG, Rio Grande, Brazil; Escola de Química e Alimentos, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande-FURG, Rio Grande, Brazil
| | - Eduardo Secchi
- Projeto Lixo Marinho - Instituto de Oceanografia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande-FURG, Rio Grande, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Oceanografia Biológica, PPGOB, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande-FURG, Rio Grande, Brazil; Laboratório de Ecologia e Conservação da Megafauna Marinha-Ecomega, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande-FURG, Rio Grande, Brazil
| | - Maíra C Proietti
- Projeto Lixo Marinho - Instituto de Oceanografia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande-FURG, Rio Grande, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Oceanografia Biológica, PPGOB, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande-FURG, Rio Grande, Brazil
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