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McMullen K, Calle P, Alvarado-Cadena O, Kowal MD, Espinoza E, Domínguez GA, Tirapé A, Vargas FH, Grant E, Hunt BPV, Pakhomov EA, Alava JJ. Ecotoxicological Assessment of Microplastics and Cellulose Particles in the Galápagos Islands and Galápagos Penguin Food Web. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2024; 43:1442-1457. [PMID: 38695731 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5874] [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: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/04/2024]
Abstract
Microplastic pollution threatens some of the world's most iconic locations for marine biodiversity, including the remote Galápagos Islands, Ecuador. Using the Galápagos penguin (Spheniscus mendiculus) as a sentinel species, the present study assessed microplastics and suspected anthropogenic cellulose concentrations in surface seawater and zooplankton near Santa Cruz and Galápagos penguin colonies (Floreana, Isabela, Santiago), as well as in penguin potential prey (anchovies, mullets, milkfish) and penguin scat. On average, 0.40 ± 0.32 microplastics L-1 were found in surface seawater (<10 μm; n = 63 L), while 0.003, 0.27, and 5.12 microplastics individual-1 were found in zooplankton (n = 3372), anchovies (n = 11), and mullets (n = 6), respectively. The highest concentration (27 microplastics individual-1) was observed in a single milkfish. Calculations based on microplastics per gram of prey, in a potential diet composition scenario, suggest that the Galápagos penguin may consume 2881 to 9602 microplastics daily from prey. Despite this, no microplastics or cellulose were identified in 3.40 g of guano collected from two penguins. Our study confirms microplastic exposure in the pelagic food web and endangered penguin species within the UNESCO World Heritage site Galápagos Islands, which can be used to inform regional and international policies to mitigate plastic pollution and conserve biodiversity in the global ocean. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;43:1442-1457. © 2024 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karly McMullen
- Ocean Pollution Research Unit, Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Paola Calle
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral (ESPOL), ESPOL Polytechnic University, Guayaquil, Ecuador
| | - Omar Alvarado-Cadena
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral (ESPOL), ESPOL Polytechnic University, Guayaquil, Ecuador
| | - Matthew D Kowal
- Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Eduardo Espinoza
- Marine Ecosystem Monitoring Program, Galapagos National Park Directorate (Dirección del Parque Nacional Galápagos), Puerto Ayora, Ecuador
| | - Gustavo A Domínguez
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral (ESPOL), ESPOL Polytechnic University, Guayaquil, Ecuador
| | - Ana Tirapé
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral (ESPOL), ESPOL Polytechnic University, Guayaquil, Ecuador
| | | | - Edward Grant
- Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Brian P V Hunt
- Ocean Pollution Research Unit, Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Department of Earth, Ocean & Atmospheric Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Evgeny A Pakhomov
- Ocean Pollution Research Unit, Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Department of Earth, Ocean & Atmospheric Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Juan José Alava
- Ocean Pollution Research Unit, Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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Smith CE, Gilby BL, van de Merwe J, Jones J, Tait H, Townsend KA. Predictive modelling reveals Australian continental risk hotspots for marine debris interactions with key threatened species. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2024; 30:e17313. [PMID: 38837834 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.17313] [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: 08/23/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
Anthropogenic debris is a global threat that impacts threatened species through various lethal and sub-lethal consequences, as well as overall ecosystem health. This study used a database of over 24,000 beach surveys of marine debris collated by the Australian Marine Debris Initiative from 2012 to 2021, with two key objectives: (1) identify variables that most influence the occurrence of debris hotspots on a continental scale and (2) use these findings to identify likely hotspots of interaction between threatened species and marine debris. The number of particles found in each beach survey was modelled alongside fifteen biological, social, and physical spatial variables including land use, physical oceanography, population, rainfall, distance to waste facilities, ports, and mangroves to identify the significant drivers of debris deposition. The model of best fit for predicting debris particle abundance was calculated using a generalized additive model. Overall, debris was more abundant at sites near catchments with high annual rainfall (mm), intensive land use (km2), and that were nearer to ports (km) and mangroves (km). These results support previous studies which state that mangroves are a significant sink for marine debris, and that large ports and urbanized catchments are significant sources for marine debris. We illustrate the applicability of these models by quantifying significant overlap between debris hotspots and the distributions for four internationally listed threatened species that exhibit debris interactions; green turtle (26,868 km2), dugong (16,164 km2), Australian sea lion (2903 km2) and Flesh-footed Shearwater (2413 km2). This equates to less than 1% (Flesh-footed Shearwater, Australian sea lion), over 2% (green sea turtle) and over 5% (dugong) of their habitat being identified as areas of high risk for marine debris interactions. The results of this study hold practical value, informing decision-making processes, managing debris pollution at continental scales, as well as identifying gaps in species monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin E Smith
- School of Science, Technology and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Hervey Bay, Queensland, Australia
| | - Ben L Gilby
- School of Science, Technology and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Petrie, Queensland, Australia
| | - Jason van de Merwe
- Australian Rivers Institute, Griffith University, Southport, Queensland, Australia
| | - Jodi Jones
- Tangaroa Blue Foundation, Australian Marine Debris Initiative Database, Dunsborough, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Heidi Tait
- Tangaroa Blue Foundation, Australian Marine Debris Initiative Database, Dunsborough, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Kathy A Townsend
- School of Science, Technology and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Hervey Bay, Queensland, Australia
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Mansfield I, Reynolds SJ, Lynch I, Matthews TJ, Sadler JP. Birds as bioindicators of plastic pollution in terrestrial and freshwater environments: A 30-year review. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 348:123790. [PMID: 38537798 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.123790] [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: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
Plastic pollution is a global concern that has grown ever more acute in recent years. Most research has focused on the impact of plastic pollution in marine environments. However, plastic is increasingly being detected in terrestrial and freshwater environments with key inland sources including landfills, where it is accessible to a wide range of organisms. Birds are effective bioindicators of pollutants for many reasons, including their high mobility and high intra- and interspecific variation in trophic levels. Freshwater and terrestrial bird species are under-represented in plastic pollution research compared to marine species. We reviewed 106 studies (spanning from 1994 onwards) that have detected plastics in bird species dwelling in freshwater and/or terrestrial habitats, identifying knowledge gaps. Seventy-two studies focused solely on macroplastics (fragments >5 mm), compared to 22 microplastic (fragments <5 mm) studies. A further 12 studies identified plastics as both microplastics and macroplastics. No study investigated nanoplastic (particles <100 nm) exposure. Research to date has geographical and species' biases while ignoring nanoplastic sequestration in free-living freshwater, terrestrial and marine bird species. Building on the baseline search presented here, we urge researchers to develop and validate standardised field sampling techniques and laboratory analytical protocols such as Raman spectroscopy to allow for the quantification and identification of micro- and nanoplastics in terrestrial and freshwater environments and the species therein. Future studies should consistently report the internalised and background concentrations, types, sizes and forms of plastics. This will enable a better understanding of the sources of plastic pollution and their routes of exposure to birds of terrestrial and freshwater environments, providing a more comprehensive insight into the potential impacts on birds.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Mansfield
- School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK.
| | - S J Reynolds
- School of Biosciences, College of Life & Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK; The Army Ornithological Society (AOS), c/o Prince Consort Library, Knollys Road, Aldershot, Hampshire GU11 1PS, UK
| | - I Lynch
- School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - T J Matthews
- School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - J P Sadler
- School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
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Girones L, Adaro ME, Pozo K, Baini M, Panti C, Fossi MC, Marcovecchio JE, Ronda AC, Arias AH. Spatial distribution and characteristics of plastic pollution in the salt marshes of Bahía Blanca Estuary, Argentina. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 912:169199. [PMID: 38070560 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
This study delves into the magnitude and attributes of plastic pollution in the salt marshes of the Bahía Blanca Estuary, Argentina, with a specific focus on its spatial distribution. The investigation included the evaluation of microplastics (1-5 mm), mesoplastics (5-25 mm) and macroplastics (25-100 mm), discovering elevated levels along the high salt marsh strandline compared to low salt marsh and mudflat areas. Notably, the abundance of plastic reached staggering levels, reaching up to 20,060 items/m2 in the vicinity of an illegal dumpsite. Microplastics, particularly in the 2-4 mm range, were dominant, and the main plastic components were high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polypropylene (PP), and polystyrene (PS). Plastic films emerged as the predominant plastic type, while the presence of pellets hinted at potential sources such as illegal dumping and port-related activities. This contamination could be largely attributed to inappropriate waste management practices and urban runoff, which pose a substantial ecological threat to these ecosystems. Urgent remedial action is essential to protect these marshes, underscoring the critical need for comprehensive wetland management and educational initiatives to ensure their long-term sustainability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lautaro Girones
- Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía (IADO - CONICET/UNS), Camino La Carrindanga km 7.5, B8000FWB Bahía Blanca, Argentina; Departamento de Ingeniería Química, Universidad Nacional del Sur (UNS), Av. Alem 1253, 8000 Bahía Blanca, Argentina.
| | - Maria Eugenia Adaro
- Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía (IADO - CONICET/UNS), Camino La Carrindanga km 7.5, B8000FWB Bahía Blanca, Argentina
| | - Karla Pozo
- Masaryk University, Faculty of Science (RECETOX), Kamenice 753/5, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic; Universidad San Sebastián, Facultad de Ingeniería, Arquitectura y Diseño, Lientur 1457, 4030000 Concepción, Chile.
| | - Matteo Baini
- Department of Physical Sciences, Earth and Environment, University of Siena, Via P.A. Mattioli, 4, 53100 Siena, Italy.
| | - Cristina Panti
- Department of Physical Sciences, Earth and Environment, University of Siena, Via P.A. Mattioli, 4, 53100 Siena, Italy.
| | - Maria Cristina Fossi
- Department of Physical Sciences, Earth and Environment, University of Siena, Via P.A. Mattioli, 4, 53100 Siena, Italy.
| | - Jorge Eduardo Marcovecchio
- Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía (IADO - CONICET/UNS), Camino La Carrindanga km 7.5, B8000FWB Bahía Blanca, Argentina; Universidad de la Fraternidad de Agrupaciones Santo Tomás de Aquino, Gascón 3145, 7600 Mar del Plata, Argentina; Universidad Tecnológica Nacional - FRBB, 11 de Abril 445, 8000 Bahía Blanca, Argentina; Academia Nacional de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales (ANCEFN), Av. Alvear 1711, 1014 Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Ana Carolina Ronda
- Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía (IADO - CONICET/UNS), Camino La Carrindanga km 7.5, B8000FWB Bahía Blanca, Argentina; Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional del Sur (UNS), Av. Alem 1253, 8000 Bahía Blanca, Argentina.
| | - Andres Hugo Arias
- Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía (IADO - CONICET/UNS), Camino La Carrindanga km 7.5, B8000FWB Bahía Blanca, Argentina; Departamento de Química, Universidad Nacional del Sur (UNS), Av. Alem 1253, 8000 Bahía Blanca, Argentina.
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Sugden S, Steckler DK, Sanderson D, Abercrombie B, Abercrombie D, Seguin MA, Ford K, St. Clair CC. Age-dependent relationships among diet, body condition, and Echinococcus multilocularis infection in urban coyotes. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0290755. [PMID: 37647321 PMCID: PMC10468061 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0290755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Urban coyotes (Canis latrans) in North America increasingly exhibit a high prevalence of Echinococcus multilocularis, a cestode of recent and rising public health concern that uses rodents as intermediate hosts and canids as definitive hosts. However, little is known about the factors that drive the high urban prevalence of this parasite. We hypothesized that the diet of urban coyotes may contribute to their higher E. multilocularis infection prevalence via either (a) greater exposure to the parasite from increased rodent consumption or (b) increased susceptibility to infection due to the negative health effects of consuming anthropogenic food. We tested these hypotheses by comparing the presence and intensity of E. multilocularis infection to physiological data (age, sex, body condition, and spleen mass), short-term diet (stomach contents), and long-term diet (δ13C and δ15N stable isotopes) in 112 coyote carcasses collected for reasons other than this study from Edmonton, Alberta and the surrounding area. Overall, the best predictor of infection status in this population was young age, where the likelihood of infection decreased with age in rural coyotes but not urban ones. Neither short- nor long-term measures of diet could predict infection across our entire sample, but we found support for our initial hypotheses in young, urban coyotes: both rodent and anthropogenic food consumption effectively predicted E. multilocularis infection in this population. The effects of these predictors were more variable in rural coyotes and older coyotes. We suggest that limiting coyote access to areas in which anthropogenic food and rodent habitat overlap (e.g., compost piles or garbage sites) may effectively reduce the risk of infection, deposition, and transmission of this emerging zoonotic parasite in urban areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott Sugden
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Natural Resource Sciences, McGill University, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec, Canada
| | - Deanna K. Steckler
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Dana Sanderson
- Department of Biological Sciences, MacEwan University, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Bill Abercrombie
- Animal Damage Control, Bushman Inc., Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada
| | | | - M. Alexis Seguin
- IDEXX Laboratories, Inc., Westbrook, Maine, United States of America
| | - Kyra Ford
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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Schutten K, Chandrashekar A, Bourdages M, Bowes V, Elliott J, Lee S, Redford T, Provencher J, Jardine C, Wilson L. Assessing plastic ingestion in birds of prey from British Columbia, Canada. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:76631-76639. [PMID: 37243770 PMCID: PMC10300153 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-27830-4] [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: 10/08/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Since first being introduced for public use in the 1960s, plastic has become one of the most pervasive and ubiquitous forms of pollution globally. The potential fate and effects of plastic pollution on birds is a rapidly growing area of research, but knowledge of terrestrial and freshwater species is limited. Birds of prey have been particularly understudied, with no published data on plastic ingestion in raptors in Canada to date, and very few studies globally. To assess the ingestion of plastic in raptors, we analysed the contents of the upper gastrointestinal tracts from a total of 234 individuals across 15 raptor species, collected between 2013 and 2021. Upper gastrointestinal tracts were assessed for plastics and anthropogenic particles > 2 mm in size. Of the 234 specimens examined, only five individuals across two species had evidence of retained anthropogenic particles in the upper gastrointestinal tract. Two of 33 bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus, 6.1%) had retained plastics in the gizzard, while three of 108 barred owls (Strix varia, 2.8%) had retained plastic and non-plastic anthropogenic litter. The remaining 13 species were negative for particles > 2 mm in size (N = 1-25). These results suggest that most hunting raptor species do not appear to ingest and retain larger anthropogenic particles, though foraging guild and habitat may influence risk. We recommend that future research investigate microplastic accumulation in raptors, in order to gain a more holistic understanding of plastic ingestion in these species. Future work should also focus on increasing sample sizes across all species to improve the ability to assess landscape- and species-level factors that influence vulnerability and susceptibility of plastic pollution ingestion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerry Schutten
- Department of Pathobiology, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Rd E, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada.
| | - Akshaya Chandrashekar
- Department of Pathobiology, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Rd E, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | | | - Victoria Bowes
- Government of British Columbia, Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada
| | - John Elliott
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Sandi Lee
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Tony Redford
- Government of British Columbia, Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada
| | | | - Claire Jardine
- Department of Pathobiology, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Rd E, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Laurie Wilson
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, Canada
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Omeyer LCM, Duncan EM, Abreo NAS, Acebes JMV, AngSinco-Jimenez LA, Anuar ST, Aragones LV, Araujo G, Carrasco LR, Chua MAH, Cordova MR, Dewanti LP, Espiritu EQ, Garay JB, Germanov ES, Getliff J, Horcajo-Berna E, Ibrahim YS, Jaafar Z, Janairo JIB, Gyi TK, Kreb D, Lim CL, Lyons Y, Mustika PLK, Neo ML, Ng SZH, Pasaribu B, Pariatamby A, Peter C, Porter L, Purba NP, Santa Cruz ET, Shams S, Thompson KF, Torres DS, Westerlaken R, Wongtawan T, Godley BJ. Interactions between marine megafauna and plastic pollution in Southeast Asia. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 874:162502. [PMID: 36868274 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Southeast (SE) Asia is a highly biodiverse region, yet it is also estimated to cumulatively contribute a third of the total global marine plastic pollution. This threat is known to have adverse impacts on marine megafauna, however, understanding of its impacts has recently been highlighted as a priority for research in the region. To address this knowledge gap, a structured literature review was conducted for species of cartilaginous fishes, marine mammals, marine reptiles, and seabirds present in SE Asia, collating cases on a global scale to allow for comparison, coupled with a regional expert elicitation to gather additional published and grey literature cases which would have been omitted during the structured literature review. Of the 380 marine megafauna species present in SE Asia, but also studied elsewhere, we found that 9.1 % and 4.5 % of all publications documenting plastic entanglement (n = 55) and ingestion (n = 291) were conducted in SE Asian countries. At the species level, published cases of entanglement from SE Asian countries were available for 10 % or less of species within each taxonomic group. Additionally, published ingestion cases were available primarily for marine mammals and were lacking entirely for seabirds in the region. The regional expert elicitation led to entanglement and ingestion cases from SE Asian countries being documented in 10 and 15 additional species respectively, highlighting the utility of a broader approach to data synthesis. While the scale of the plastic pollution in SE Asia is of particular concern for marine ecosystems, knowledge of its interactions and impacts on marine megafauna lags behind other areas of the world, even after the inclusion of a regional expert elicitation. Additional funding to help collate baseline data are critically needed to inform policy and solutions towards limiting the interactions of marine megafauna and plastic pollution in SE Asia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucy C M Omeyer
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 9EZ, United Kingdom
| | - Emily M Duncan
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 9EZ, United Kingdom; Institute of Marine Sciences-Okeanos, University of the Azores, Rua Professor Doutor Frederico Machado 4, 9901-862 Horta, Portugal.
| | - Neil Angelo S Abreo
- AI and Robotics Laboratory-Environmental Studies, University of the Philippines, Mindanao, Philippines
| | - Jo Marie V Acebes
- BALYENA.ORG, Jagna, Bohol, Philippines; Zoology Division, The National Museum of the Philippines, Padre Burgos Avenue, Manila, Philippines
| | - Lea A AngSinco-Jimenez
- Regional Integrated Coastal Resource Management Center (RIC-XI), hosted by Davao Oriental State University (DOrSU), City of Mati, Davao Oriental, Philippines
| | - Sabiqah T Anuar
- Microplastic Research Interest Group (MRIG), Faculty of Science and Marine Environment, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia
| | - Lemnuel V Aragones
- Marine Mammal Research & Conservation Laboratory, Institute of Environmental Science and Meteorology, College of Science, University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines
| | - Gonzalo Araujo
- Marine Research and Conservation Foundation, Lydeard St Lawrence, Somerset, United Kingdom; Environmental Science Program, Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Luis R Carrasco
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 14 Science Drive 4, 117543, Singapore
| | - Marcus A H Chua
- Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum, National University of Singapore, 2 Conservatory Drive, Singapore 117377, Singapore
| | - Muhammad R Cordova
- Research Centre for Oceanography, The Indonesian National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), BRIN Kawasan Jakarta Ancol Jalan Pasir Putih 1, Ancol Timur, Jakarta 14430, Indonesia
| | - Lantun P Dewanti
- Fishery Department, Faculty of Fishery and Marine Science, Universitas Padjadjaran, 40600 Bandung, Indonesia
| | - Emilyn Q Espiritu
- Department of Environmental Science, Ateneo de Manila University, Loyola Heights, 1108 Quezon City, Philippines
| | - Jovanie B Garay
- Davao Oriental State University (DOrSU), San Isidro Extension Campus, San Isidro, Davao Oriental, Philippines
| | - Elitza S Germanov
- Marine Megafauna Foundation, West Palm Beach, FL, United States of America; Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Ecosystems, Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia; Environmental and Conservation Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Jade Getliff
- Roctopus ecoTrust, Roctopus Dive, Sairee Beach, Koh Tao 84360, Thailand
| | | | - Yusof S Ibrahim
- Microplastic Research Interest Group (MRIG), Faculty of Science and Marine Environment, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia
| | - Zeehan Jaafar
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 14 Science Drive 4, 117543, Singapore; Tropical Marine Science Institute, National University of Singapore, 18 Kent Ridge Road, 119227, Singapore
| | - Jose Isagani B Janairo
- Department of Biology, De La Salle University, 2401 Taft Avenue, 0922 Manila, Philippines
| | - Thanda Ko Gyi
- Myanmar Ocean Project, 24 Myaing Hay Wun Housing, Yangon 11061, Myanmar
| | - Danielle Kreb
- Yayasan Konservasi RASI/Laboratory of Hydro-Oceanography, Faculty of Fisheries, Mulawarman University, Samarinda, Indonesia
| | - Cheng Ling Lim
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 14 Science Drive 4, 117543, Singapore
| | - Youna Lyons
- Centre for International Law, National University of Singapore, Bukit Timah Campus, 259770, Singapore
| | - Putu L K Mustika
- College of Business, Law and Governance, James Cook University, Townsville, Australia; Cetacean Sirenian Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia; Whale Stranding Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Mei Lin Neo
- Tropical Marine Science Institute, National University of Singapore, 18 Kent Ridge Road, 119227, Singapore
| | - Sirius Z H Ng
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 14 Science Drive 4, 117543, Singapore
| | - Buntora Pasaribu
- Marine Science Department, Faculty of Fishery and Marine Science, Universitas Padjadjaran, 40600 Bandung, Indonesia
| | - Agamuthu Pariatamby
- Jeffrey Sachs Centre on Sustainable Development, Sunway University, Selangor Darul Ehsan 47500, Malaysia
| | - Cindy Peter
- Institute of Biodiversity and Environmental Conservation, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300 Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - Lindsay Porter
- The Institute of Marine Ecology and Conservation (IMEC), National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Noir P Purba
- Marine Science Department, Faculty of Fishery and Marine Science, Universitas Padjadjaran, 40600 Bandung, Indonesia
| | - Ernesto T Santa Cruz
- Consultant on Environmental Affairs, Independent Researcher, Davao City, Philippines
| | - Shahriar Shams
- Civil Engineering Programme Area, Universiti Teknologi Brunei, Jalan Tungku Link, Gadong, BE 1410, Brunei Darussalam
| | - Kirsten F Thompson
- Biosciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, Devon, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel S Torres
- Independent Marine Megafauna Researcher, Quezon City, Philippines
| | - Rodney Westerlaken
- Westerlaken Foundation, Yayasan Bali Bersih, Indonesia; Hotel Management School, NHL Stenden University, Leeuwarden, the Netherlands; Faculty of Environmental Science, Udayana University, Indonesia
| | - Tuempong Wongtawan
- Marine Animal Research and Rescue Centre, Akkhraratchakumari Veterinary College, Walailak University, Thai Buri, Tha Sala, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand; Centre for One Health, Akkhraratchakumari Veterinary College, Walailak University, Thai Buri, Tha Sala, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand; Centre of Excellence for Coastal Resource Management with Communal Participation, Walailak University, Thai Buri, Tha Sala, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand
| | - Brendan J Godley
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 9EZ, United Kingdom
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Park B, Kim SK, Joo S, Kim JS, Jo K, Song NS, Im J, Lee HJ, Kim SW, Lee SB, Kim S, Lee Y, Kim BY, Kim TW. Microplastics in large marine animals stranded in the Republic of Korea. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 189:114734. [PMID: 36842279 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.114734] [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: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) are found in every ocean and are frequently ingested by marine animals. This study analyzed MPs in the stomachs and intestines of 12 large marine animals comprising one fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus), seven finless porpoises (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis), two loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta), one Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops aduncus), and one common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) that were stranded off the Republic of Korea between 2019 and 2021. MPs were detected with a mean abundance of 3.42 ± 3.2 items/g and were predominantly of transparent-white, fragment-shaped polypropylene smaller than 200 μm. The abundance of MPs found did not correlate with the biological information (maturity, body length) of the finless porpoises and there were no significant differences in the abundance of MPs between the stomachs and intestines. These results cannot accurately assess the impact of MPs on large marine animals, so further studies are necessary to understand how MPs can potentially affect them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Byeongyong Park
- Program in Biomedical Science and Engineering, Inha University, Incheon 22212, Republic of Korea; Department of Ocean Sciences, Inha University, Incheon 22212, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung-Kyu Kim
- Department of Marine Science, College of Natural Sciences, Incheon National University, Academy-ro 119, Yeounsu-gu, Incheon 22012, Republic of Korea; Research Institute of Basic Sciences, Incheon National University, Academy-ro 119, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon 22012, Republic of Korea; Yellow Sea Institute, Incheon National University, Academy-ro 119, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon 22012, Republic of Korea.
| | - Soobin Joo
- Program in Biomedical Science and Engineering, Inha University, Incheon 22212, Republic of Korea; Department of Ocean Sciences, Inha University, Incheon 22212, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji-Su Kim
- Department of Marine Science, College of Natural Sciences, Incheon National University, Academy-ro 119, Yeounsu-gu, Incheon 22012, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyungsik Jo
- Program in Biomedical Science and Engineering, Inha University, Incheon 22212, Republic of Korea; Department of Ocean Sciences, Inha University, Incheon 22212, Republic of Korea
| | - Nan-Seon Song
- Department of Marine Science, College of Natural Sciences, Incheon National University, Academy-ro 119, Yeounsu-gu, Incheon 22012, Republic of Korea
| | - Jibin Im
- Korean Environmental Technology Consulting Hotline, Republic of Korea
| | - Hee-Jee Lee
- Department of Marine Science, College of Natural Sciences, Incheon National University, Academy-ro 119, Yeounsu-gu, Incheon 22012, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang Wha Kim
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Endemic Disease, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung Bin Lee
- Laboratory of Aquatic Biomedicine, College of Veterinary Medicine and Research Institute for Veterinary Science, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sunmin Kim
- Department of Parasitology, College of Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Republic of Korea
| | - Youngran Lee
- Department of Companion Animals, Osan University, Republic of Korea
| | - Byung-Yeob Kim
- Department of Marine Industry and Maritime Policy, Jeju National University, Jeju City 63243, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae Won Kim
- Program in Biomedical Science and Engineering, Inha University, Incheon 22212, Republic of Korea; Department of Ocean Sciences, Inha University, Incheon 22212, Republic of Korea.
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Rodrigues de Souza A, Bernardes RC, Barbosa WF, Viana TA, do Nascimento FS, Lima MAP, Martins GF. Ingestion of polystyrene microparticles impairs survival and defecation in larvae of Polistes satan (Hymenoptera: Vespidae). ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:58527-58535. [PMID: 36988811 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-26695-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) are widespread pollutants of emerging concern, and the risks associated with their ingestion have been reported in many organisms. Terrestrial environments can be contaminated with MPs, and terrestrial organisms, including arthropods, are predisposed to the risk of ingesting MPs. In the current study, the larvae of the paper wasp Polistes satan were fed two different doses (6 mg or 16 mg at once) of polystyrene MPs (1.43 mm maximum length), and the effects of these treatments on immature development and survival till adult emergence were studied. Ingestion of the two doses resulted in mortality due to impaired defecation prior to pupation. The survival of larvae that ingested 16 mg of MPs was significantly lower than that of the control. The ingestion of 16 mg of MPs also reduced the adult emergence (11.4%) in comparison to the control (44.4%). MPs were not transferred from the larvae to the adults that survived. These findings demonstrate that MP ingestion can be detrimental to P. satan, e.g. larval mortality can decrease colony productivity and thus the worker force, and that MPs can potentially affect natural enemies that occur in crops, such as predatory social wasps.
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Affiliation(s)
- André Rodrigues de Souza
- Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | | | - Wagner Faria Barbosa
- Departamento de Estatística, Universidade Federal de Viçosa (UFV), Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Thaís Andrade Viana
- Departamento de Entomologia, Universidade Federal de Viçosa (UFV), Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Fábio Santos do Nascimento
- Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Gustavo Ferreira Martins
- Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Federal de Viçosa (UFV), Viçosa, MinasGerais, Brazil
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10
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Gamarra-Toledo V, Plaza PI, Peña YA, Bermejo PA, López J, Cano GL, Barreto S, Cáceres-Medina S, Lambertucci SA. High incidence of plastic debris in Andean condors from remote areas: Evidence for marine-terrestrial trophic transfer. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 317:120742. [PMID: 36436659 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 11/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Plastic pollution is an alarming environmental problem affecting diverse species worldwide. Scavenging birds are currently exposed to plastic due to contamination of their food sources. Here, we evaluated the ingestion of plastic by a threatened top scavenger, the Andean condor (Vultur gryphus), and the potential origin of the plastic. We analyzed the biotic (organic items from the diet) and abiotic (synthetic material) composition of regurgitated pellets in two remote areas of Peru associated with protected areas: a marine-coastal region and an Andean region. Condors consume mainly Pinnipeds and South American camelids in the marine-coastal region, and camelids and livestock in the Andean region. We found different sizes and varieties of plastic debris, with a very high frequency of occurrence (85-100%) of microplastics in pellets of both areas studied. The occurrence of microplastics differed between sites; although very high in general, the rate of occurrence and density were higher in the marine-coastal region. We also confirmed that carcasses consumed by condors in both study areas were contaminated with plastic. Therefore, plastic in Andean condors is most probably acquired through the food web in both the marine and terrestrial environments. Andean condors from Peru are highly contaminated with plastic, which may affect their health, population dynamics, and conservation. Moreover, as condors are apex scavengers, our results highlight the fact that plastic pollution in remote areas of Peru is present at different levels of the food web and in the environment. Urgent Action should be taken to reduce environmental contamination with this hazardous pollutant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Víctor Gamarra-Toledo
- Área de Ornitología, Colección Científica, Museo de Historia Natural (MUSA), Universidad Nacional de San Agustín de Arequipa, Av. Alcides Carrión s/n, Arequipa, Peru; Grupo de Investigaciones en Biología de la Conservación, Laboratorio Ecotono, INIBIOMA, Universidad Nacional del Comahue - CONICET, Quintral 1250, R8400FRF, San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina.
| | - Pablo I Plaza
- Grupo de Investigaciones en Biología de la Conservación, Laboratorio Ecotono, INIBIOMA, Universidad Nacional del Comahue - CONICET, Quintral 1250, R8400FRF, San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina
| | - Yuri A Peña
- Área de Ornitología, Colección Científica, Museo de Historia Natural (MUSA), Universidad Nacional de San Agustín de Arequipa, Av. Alcides Carrión s/n, Arequipa, Peru
| | - Pierina A Bermejo
- Asociación de Guías Oficiales y Profesionales de Turismo de la Región Arequipa (ADEGOPA), Calle Palacio Viejo Nº 216, interior 301, Arequipa, Peru
| | - Juan López
- Reserva Nacional Pampa Galeras Bárbara D'Achille, Servicio Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas por el Estado (SERNANP), Av. Circunvalación s/n - Pasaje Bisambra, Interior 15, Ica, Nazca, Peru
| | - Gonzalo L Cano
- Área de Ornitología, Colección Científica, Museo de Historia Natural (MUSA), Universidad Nacional de San Agustín de Arequipa, Av. Alcides Carrión s/n, Arequipa, Peru
| | - Santiago Barreto
- Área de Ornitología, Colección Científica, Museo de Historia Natural (MUSA), Universidad Nacional de San Agustín de Arequipa, Av. Alcides Carrión s/n, Arequipa, Peru
| | - Sandra Cáceres-Medina
- Área de Ornitología, Colección Científica, Museo de Historia Natural (MUSA), Universidad Nacional de San Agustín de Arequipa, Av. Alcides Carrión s/n, Arequipa, Peru
| | - Sergio A Lambertucci
- Grupo de Investigaciones en Biología de la Conservación, Laboratorio Ecotono, INIBIOMA, Universidad Nacional del Comahue - CONICET, Quintral 1250, R8400FRF, San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina
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Ratnayaka AAW, Serieys LEK, Hangawatte TA, Leung LKP, Fisher DO. Plastic ingestion by fishing cats suggests trophic transfer in urban wetlands. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 316:120694. [PMID: 36402417 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2022] [Revised: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Recent studies have suggested that plastic contamination in some terrestrial and freshwater environments is estimated to be greater than that detected in marine environments. Urban wetlands are prone to plastic pollution but levels of contamination in their wildlife are poorly quantified. We collected 276 fishing cat (Prionailurus viverrinus) scat samples in Colombo, Sri Lanka for a dietary study of urban fishing cats. We used traditional dietary analysis methodology to investigate the contents of the scats by washing, isolating, and identifying prey remains; while sorting prey remains of individual scats, we unexpectedly detected macroscopic (>1 mm) plastic debris in six (2.17%) of the samples. Across all scat samples, we detected low occurrences of microplastics (0.72%), mesoplastics (1.09%) and macroplastics (1.45%). All three plastic types were found in scats containing rodent remains, while meso-, and macroplastics were found in scats with avian remains, and micro- and macroplastics in scats containing freshwater fish remains. Given that felids are obligate generalist carnivores that eat live or recently dead prey and do not consume garbage, our findings suggest that trophic transfer of plastics occurred whereby fishing cats consumed prey contaminated with plastic. Although macroscopic plastic detection was low, our findings suggest that accumulation of plastics is occurring in wetland food webs, and plastic pollution in freshwater terrestrial systems could pose a risk to predators that do not directly consume plastics but inhabit contaminated environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anya A W Ratnayaka
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland, 4072, Australia; Small Cat Advocacy and Research, 381/14, Spring Hills Estate, Bowalawatta, Kandy, 20024, Sri Lanka.
| | | | - Therangika A Hangawatte
- Small Cat Advocacy and Research, 381/14, Spring Hills Estate, Bowalawatta, Kandy, 20024, Sri Lanka; School of Environment and Natural Resources, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43201, USA
| | - Luke K P Leung
- School of Agriculture and Food Sciences, The University of Queensland, Gatton, Queensland 4343, Australia
| | - Diana O Fisher
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland, 4072, Australia
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12
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Deoniziak K, Cichowska A, Niedźwiecki S, Pol W. Thrushes (Aves: Passeriformes) as indicators of microplastic pollution in terrestrial environments. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 853:158621. [PMID: 36084782 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2022] [Revised: 09/04/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Microplastic pollution is one of the leading global conservation issues. The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of microplastics in the gastrointestinal tracts of Common Blackbirds Turdus merula (N = 16) and Song Thrushes Turdus philomelos (N = 18), songbirds with exceptionally terrestrial lifestyles and a wide distribution range. We searched for microplastics of over 100 μm in size and assessed whether their contamination differed regarding the age of the birds and the time of year. We used birds that had died as a result of collision with anthropogenic infrastructure, which were sampled during wildlife monitoring of anthropogenic infrastructures and citizen science projects in north-eastern Poland. We found that all the analysed individuals contained microplastic in their gastrointestinal tracts, which were classified as fibers, fragments, films and pellets. A total number of 1073 microplastics were observed, mostly consisting of fibers (84 %) and films (10 %) below 1 mm in size. The dominant colours of microplastics were transparent (75 %) and brown (14 %). The species average microplastic concentration was higher in Song Thrushes (40.1) than Common Blackbirds (21.9), however the difference was not statistically significant. Moreover, we found no seasonal or age-related differences in microplastic ingestion in either species. While our results show a ubiquity of microplastics in terrestrial environments, they also indicate that thrushes have the potential to be used as indicators of microplastic pollution in terrestrial ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krzysztof Deoniziak
- Laboratory of Insect Evolutionary Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Biology, University of Bialystok, Konstantego Ciołkowskiego 1J, 15-245 Białystok, Poland.
| | - Aleksandra Cichowska
- Laboratory of Insect Evolutionary Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Biology, University of Bialystok, Konstantego Ciołkowskiego 1J, 15-245 Białystok, Poland
| | | | - Wojciech Pol
- Department of Water Ecology, Faculty of Biology, University of Bialystok, Konstantego Ciołkowskiego 1J, 15-245 Białystok, Poland
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13
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Monteiro R, Andrades R, Noleto-Filho E, Pegado T, Morais L, Gonçalves M, Santos R, Sbrana A, Franceschini S, Soares MO, Russo T, Giarrizzo T. GLOVE: The Global Plastic Ingestion Initiative for a cleaner world. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2022; 185:114244. [PMID: 36283155 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.114244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Revised: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Plastics are one of the most used materials in the world. Their indiscriminate use and inappropriate disposal have led to inevitable impacts, for instance ingestion, on the environment arousing the attention of the global community. In addition, plastic ingestion studies are often written in scientific jargon or hidden behind paywalls, which makes these studies inaccessible. GLOVE is an online and open-access dashboard database available at gloveinitiative.shinyapps.io/Glove/ to support scientists, decision-makers, and society with information collected from plastic ingestion studies. The platform was created in the R environment, with a web interface developed through Shiny. It already comprises 530 studies, including all biological groups, with 245,366 individual records of 1458 species found in marine, freshwater, and terrestrial environments. The main goal of the GLOVE dashboard database is to improve data accessibility by being a scientifically useful grounded tool for designing effective and innovative actions in the current scenario of upcoming global and local agreements and actions on plastic pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raqueline Monteiro
- Núcleo de Ecologia Aquática e Pesca da Amazônia and Grupo de Ecologia Aquática, Universidade Federal do Pará, 2651 Avenida Perimetral, Belém, Pará, Brazil.
| | - Ryan Andrades
- Laboratório de Ictiologia, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Goiabeiras, 29075-910 Vitória, ES, Brazil
| | | | - Tamyris Pegado
- Núcleo de Ecologia Aquática E Pesca da Amazônia and Laboratório de Biologia Pesqueira e Manejo dos Recursos Aquáticos, Grupo de Ecologia Aquática, Universidade Federal do Pará, 2651 Avenida Perimetral, Belém, Pará, Brazil
| | - Leonardo Morais
- Laboratório de Oceanografia Biológica, Instituto de Geociências, Universidade Federal do Pará, Av. Augusto Corrêa s/n, Guamá, Belém, PA 66075-110, Brazil
| | - Myckey Gonçalves
- Núcleo de Ecologia Aquática e Pesca da Amazônia (NEAP), Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Brazil
| | - Robson Santos
- Laboratório de Biologia Marinha e Conservação, UniversidadeFederal de Alagoas, Cidade Universitária, 57072-900 Maceió, AL, Brazil
| | - Alice Sbrana
- PhD Program in Evolutionary Biology and Ecology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Italy
| | - Simone Franceschini
- Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, United States of America
| | - Marcelo O Soares
- Instituto de Ciências do Mar (LABOMAR), Universidade Federal do Ceará (UFC), Avenida da Abolição 3207, Fortaleza, CE 60165-081, Brazil; Reef Systems Research Group, Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research (ZMT), Bremen, Germany
| | - Tommaso Russo
- Laboratory of Experimental Ecology and Aquaculture, Dept. of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Italy
| | - Tommaso Giarrizzo
- Núcleo de Ecologia Aquática e Pesca da Amazônia and Grupo de Ecologia Aquática, Universidade Federal do Pará, 2651 Avenida Perimetral, Belém, Pará, Brazil; Instituto de Ciências do Mar (LABOMAR), Universidade Federal do Ceará (UFC), Avenida da Abolição 3207, Fortaleza, CE 60165-081, Brazil; Grupo de Ecologia Aquática, Espaço Inovação do Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia do Guamá, Belém, PA, Brazil.
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Plastic pollution of four understudied marine ecosystems: a review of mangroves, seagrass meadows, the Arctic Ocean and the deep seafloor. Emerg Top Life Sci 2022; 6:371-387. [PMID: 36214383 DOI: 10.1042/etls20220017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Revised: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Plastic pollution is now a worldwide phenomenon affecting all marine ecosystems, but some ecosystems and regions remain understudied. Here, we review the presence and impacts of macroplastics and microplastics for four such ecosystems: mangroves, seagrass meadows, the Arctic Ocean and the deep seafloor. Plastic production has grown steadily, and thus the impact on species and ecosystems has increased, too. The accumulated evidence also indicates that plastic pollution is an additional and increasing stressor to these already ecosystems and many of the species living in them. However, laboratory or field studies, which provide strong correlational or experimental evidence of ecological harm due to plastic pollution remain scarce or absent for these ecosystems. Based on these findings, we give some research recommendations for the future.
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15
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Monclús L, McCann Smith E, Ciesielski TM, Wagner M, Jaspers VL. Microplastic Ingestion Induces Size-Specific Effects in Japanese Quail. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:15902-15911. [PMID: 36302260 PMCID: PMC9671045 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c03878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Revised: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Plastic pollution can pose a threat to birds. Yet, little is known about the sublethal effects of ingested microplastics (MP), and the effects of MP < 1 mm in birds remain unknown. This study therefore aimed at evaluating the toxicity of environmentally relevant polypropylene and polyethylene particles collected in the Norwegian coast in growing Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica). Birds were orally exposed to 600 mg MP over 5 weeks, covering small (<125 μm) and large (3 mm) MP, both separately and in a mixture. We evaluated multiple sublethal endpoints in quail, including oxidative stress, cytokine levels, blood-biochemical parameters, and reproductive hormones in blood, as well as body mass. Exposure to small MP significantly induced the activities of the antioxidant enzymes catalase, glutathione-S-transferase, and glutathione peroxidase. Exposure to large MP increased the levels of aspartate aminotransferase (liver parameter) and decreased 17β-estradiol levels in females. Body mass was not directly affected by MP ingestion; however, quail exposed to small MP and a mixture of large and small MP had a different growth rate compared to control quail. Our study used similar levels of MP as ingested by wild birds and demonstrated size-dependent effects of MP that can result in sublethal effects in avifauna.
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16
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Gray squirrels consume anthropogenic food waste most often during winter. Mamm Biol 2022; 103:69-81. [PMID: 36373055 PMCID: PMC9638426 DOI: 10.1007/s42991-022-00326-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Urban habitats provide wildlife with predictable, easily accessible and abundant food sources in the form of human food waste. Urban eastern gray squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis) are commonly observed feeding in trash bins, but we lack data regarding the type, quantity and seasonal changes in food waste usage. We observed five trash bins on an urban university campus during four different observation periods. We recorded the time squirrels spent on and inside trash bins and type of retrieved food items. We also recorded ambient temperature, human presence and trash bin filling. Moreover, we determined changes in squirrel population density in a natural and three anthropogenic habitats during the same periods. Trash bins were fuller when human presence was higher. The higher human presence, the more squirrels went on and inside the bin, but there was no effect on number of retrieved food items. Trash bin usage by squirrels decreased when ambient temperature and bin filling increased. Most food items were retrieved during the coldest observation period, a period of high human presence, and the majority of retrieved food items were starchy foods (e.g., bread, French fries). The relationship between the number of squirrels observed along transects and a measure of urbanization, the normalized difference built-up index, was negative in periods with high ambient temperatures and positive in periods with low ambient temperatures, indicating winter may be less challenging in urban areas, likely facilitated by the availability of anthropogenic food sources, allowing a higher level of activity throughout winter. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s42991-022-00326-3.
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17
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Plastic and other anthropogenic debris in Arctic fox (Vulpes lagopus) faeces from Iceland. Polar Biol 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s00300-022-03075-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Abstract
AbstractAnthropogenic debris, including plastic pollution, is a growing concern in the Arctic and negatively impacts both marine and coastal organisms. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential for using Arctic fox (Vulpes lagopus) faeces as a monitoring tool for plastic pollution in the Arctic environment. Arctic fox faeces were collected in different regions of Iceland and analysed for anthropogenic debris presence larger than 300 µm, and diet composition. In total, 235 faecal samples from 1999, 2017, 2018 and 2020 were analysed. The overall frequency of occurrence of plastic and other anthropogenic material was 5.11% and was found in samples across all regions and years. There were no statistical differences in anthropogenic debris ingested, depending on year or region. There were no obvious differences in diet composition between samples that contained anthropogenic debris and samples without. The suitability of Arctic fox faeces as a method to monitor plastic and anthropogenic debris levels in the Arctic environment remains debatable: Whilst the vast distribution range of the Arctic fox and the non-invasive collection methodology of faecal samples could be utilised as a good monitoring tool, the overall low uptake and unclear source of plastic and anthropogenic debris (marine or terrestrial) makes the interpretation of the data difficult. Nevertheless, debris ingestion by Arctic foxes remains a concern and warrants further studies.
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18
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Eisfeld-Pierantonio SM, Pierantonio N, Simmonds MP. The impact of marine debris on cetaceans with consideration of plastics generated by the COVID-19 pandemic. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 300:118967. [PMID: 35134431 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.118967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Revised: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The accumulation of human-derived debris in the oceans is a global concern and a serious threat to marine wildlife. There is a volume of evidence that points to deleterious effects of marine debris (MD) on cetaceans in terms of both entanglement and ingestion. This review suggests that about 68% of cetacean species are affected by interacting with MD with an increase in the number of species reported to have interacted with it over the past decades. Despite the growing body of evidence, there is an ongoing debate on the actual effects of plastics on cetaceans and, in particular, with reference to the ingestion of microplastics and their potential toxicological and pathogenic effects. Current knowledge suggests that the observed differences in the rate and nature of interactions with plastics are the result of substantial differences in species-specific diving and feeding strategies. Existing projections on the production, use and disposal of plastics suggest a further increase of marine plastic pollution. In this context, the contribution of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic to marine plastic pollution appears to be substantial, with potentially serious consequences for marine life including cetaceans. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic offers an opportunity to investigate the direct links between industry, human behaviours and the effects of MD on cetaceans. This could help inform management, prevention efforts, describe knowledge gaps and guide advancements in research efforts. This review highlights the lack of assessments of population-level effects related to MD and suggests that these could be rather immediate for small populations already under pressure from other anthropogenic activities. Finally, we suggest that MD is not only a pollution, economic and social issue, but also a welfare concern for the species and populations involved.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nino Pierantonio
- Tethys Research Institute, Viale G. B. Gadio 2, 20121, Milano, Italy.
| | - Mark P Simmonds
- Bristol Veterinary School Langford House, Langford, Bristol, BS40 5DU, UK; OceanCare, PO Box 372, 8820, Wadenswill, Switzerland.
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19
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So MWK, Vorsatz LD, Cannicci S, Not C. Fate of plastic in the environment: From macro to nano by macrofauna. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 300:118920. [PMID: 35131331 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.118920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Revised: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Plastic ingestion has been widely investigated to understand its adverse harms on fauna, but the role of fauna itself in plastic fragmentation has been rarely addressed. Here, we review and discuss the available experimental results on the role of terrestrial and aquatic macrofauna in plastic biofragmentation and degradation. Recent studies have shown how biting, chewing, and stomach contractions of organisms shatter ingested plastic along their digestive tracts. Gut microbial communities can play a role in biodegradation and their composition can shift according to the type of plastic ingested. Shifts in molecular weights, chemical bond forming and breaking, and changes in thermal modification detected in the plastic debris present in the faeces also suggest active biodegradation. A few studies have also shown interactions other than ingestion, such as burrowing, may actively or passively promote physical plastic fragmentation by fauna. We suggest that further investigations into the role of fauna in physical fragmentation and chemical degradation linked to active ingestion and gut associated microbiota metabolism, respectively, should be conducted to better evaluate the impact of these mechanisms on the release of micro- and nano-plastic in the environment. Knowledge on macrofauna other than marine invertebrates and terrestrial soil dwelling invertebrates is particularly lacking, as well as focus on broader types of plastic polymers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mandy Wing Kwan So
- The Swire Institute of Marine Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Department of Earth Sciences, University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Lyle Dennis Vorsatz
- The Swire Institute of Marine Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Area of Ecology and Biodiversity, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Stefano Cannicci
- The Swire Institute of Marine Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Area of Ecology and Biodiversity, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Department of Biology, University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019, Italy
| | - Christelle Not
- The Swire Institute of Marine Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Department of Earth Sciences, University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
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20
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Cassone BJ, Grove HC, Kurchaba N, Geronimo P, LeMoine CMR. Fat on plastic: Metabolic consequences of an LDPE diet in the fat body of the greater wax moth larvae (Galleria mellonella). JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 425:127862. [PMID: 34872037 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.127862] [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: 10/18/2021] [Revised: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The caterpillar larvae of the greater wax moth (Galleria mellonella) are avid plastivores, as when provided a diet of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) they actively feed on it. Recent work has highlighted the importance of their microbiome in the putative biodegradation of this plastic polymer, though the impact of plastic metabolism on the insect host is less clear. In the present study, we undertook an integrative approach spanning all levels of biological organization to explore the effects of a plastic diet on the metabolic physiology of this animal model of plastic biodegradation. We demonstrate that an LDPE diet is not sufficient to maintain optimal larval growth and survival. In addition, we confirm that plastic fed waxworms retain their fat body lipid stores in a manner proportional to their individual polyethylene consumption suggesting a direct effect of LDPE biodegradation. At the functional level, the oxidative capacity of the fat body of LDPE-fed larvae is maintained reflecting unaltered metabolic function of the tissue. Finally, metabolomic analyses confirmed fat body lipid stores maintenance in LDPE-fed worms, but uncovered various other nutritional deficiencies. Overall, this work unveils novel insights in the complex interplay between LDPE biodegradation and the metabolic physiology of this model plastivore.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bryan J Cassone
- Department of Biology, Brandon University, Brandon, MB R78 6A9, Canada.
| | - Harald C Grove
- Department of Biology, Brandon University, Brandon, MB R78 6A9, Canada
| | - Nicholas Kurchaba
- Department of Biology, Brandon University, Brandon, MB R78 6A9, Canada
| | - Paola Geronimo
- Department of Biology, Brandon University, Brandon, MB R78 6A9, Canada
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21
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Qiu SQ, Huang GY, Fang GZ, Li XP, Lei DQ, Shi WJ, Xie L, Ying GG. Chemical characteristics and toxicological effects of leachates from plastics under simulated seawater and fish digest. WATER RESEARCH 2022; 209:117892. [PMID: 34861434 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2021.117892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2021] [Revised: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/20/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, the ecological risks of plastics to marine environments and organisms have attracted increasing attention, especially the leachates from plastics. However, a comprehensive knowledge about the leaching characteristics and subsequent toxicological effects of leachates is still sparse. In this study, 15 different plastic products were immersed in simulated seawater and fish digest for 16 h. The leachates were analyzed through non-target and target analyses and their toxicological signatures were assessed by bioassays. In total, 240 additives were identified from the plastic leachates, among which plasticizers represented the most (16.7%), followed by antioxidants (8.7%) and flame retardants (7.1%). Approximately 40% of plastic leachates exhibited significant inhibitory effects on the bioluminescence using a recombinant luminescent assay. In addition, both the hyperactive and hypoactive behaviors were displayed in the larvae of marine medaka (Oryzias melastigma) exposed to some plastic leachates. In general, the number and amount of identified compounds under simulated fish digest were less than those under simulated seawater. However, the simulated fish digest leachates triggered higher toxicity. Redundancy analysis demonstrated that identified additives did not adequately explain the toxicological effects. Future research should focus on the identification of more additives in the plastic leachates and their potential ecological risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu-Qing Qiu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety and MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, SCNU Environmental Research Institute, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China; School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Guo-Yong Huang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety and MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, SCNU Environmental Research Institute, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China; School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou 510006, China.
| | - Gui-Zhen Fang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety and MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, SCNU Environmental Research Institute, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China; School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Xiao-Pei Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety and MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, SCNU Environmental Research Institute, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China; School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Dong-Qiao Lei
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety and MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, SCNU Environmental Research Institute, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China; School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Wen-Jun Shi
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety and MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, SCNU Environmental Research Institute, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China; School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Lingtian Xie
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety and MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, SCNU Environmental Research Institute, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China; School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Guang-Guo Ying
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety and MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, SCNU Environmental Research Institute, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China; School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou 510006, China
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22
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Rodrigues SM, Elliott M, Almeida CMR, Ramos S. Microplastics and plankton: Knowledge from laboratory and field studies to distinguish contamination from pollution. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2021; 417:126057. [PMID: 34004578 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.126057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2020] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Due to their ubiquitous presence, size and characteristics as ability to adsorb pollutants, microplastics are hypothesized as causing a major impact on smaller organisms, such as plankton. Despite this, there is a need to determine whether these impacts just relate to the environmental presence of the materials or their effects on biological processes. Therefore, we aimed to 1) review current research on plankton and microplastics; 2) compare field and laboratory experimental findings, and 3) identify knowledge gaps. The systematic review showed that 70% of the 147 relevant scientific publications were from laboratory studies and microplastics interactions with plankton were recorded in 88 taxa. Field study publications were relatively scarce and the characteristics of microplastics collected in the field were very different from those used in laboratory experiments thereby limiting the comparison between studies. Our systematic review highlighted knowledge gaps in: 1) the number of field studies; 2) the non-comparability between laboratory and field conditions, and 3) the low diversity of plankton species studied. Furthermore, this review indicated that while there are many studies on contamination by microplastics, the effects of this contamination (i.e., pollution per se) have been less well-studied, especially in the field at population, community, and ecosystem levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina M Rodrigues
- CIIMAR - Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research - Porto University, Porto, Portugal; ICBAS - Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar - Porto University, Porto, Portugal.
| | - Michael Elliott
- Department of Biological & Marine Sciences, University of Hull, HU6 7RX, UK; International Estuarine & Coastal Specialists Ltd, Leven HU17 5LQ, UK
| | - C Marisa R Almeida
- CIIMAR - Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research - Porto University, Porto, Portugal
| | - Sandra Ramos
- CIIMAR - Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research - Porto University, Porto, Portugal
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23
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Perosa M, Guerranti C, Renzi M, Bevilacqua S. Taking the sparkle off the sparkling time. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2021; 170:112660. [PMID: 34182304 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Revised: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 06/20/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The awareness of impact of microplastics has led stakeholders to define strategies for the reduction of plastic emission and for their removal from aquatic environments. Glitter includes a wide range of shapes, chemical types of plastics covered by a metallic layer and color addition that confer them the typical 'sparkling' aspect. Here we focus on critical aspects that make glitter a product with a potential of significant environmental impact suggesting the need to take effective measures to limit emissions. Glitter is used here as a paradigm for all emergent plastic pollutants which calls for a deeper rethinking of our concept of sustainability. We are only at the beginning of the studies on glitter in the aquatic environment but on the basis of their potential impacts now is the time to take decisions taking the sparkle off the sparkling time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marinella Perosa
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | | | - Monia Renzi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy; Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare, Rome, Italy.
| | - Stanislao Bevilacqua
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy; Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare, Rome, Italy
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24
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Weitzel SL, Feura JM, Rush SA, Iglay RB, Woodrey MS. Availability and assessment of microplastic ingestion by marsh birds in Mississippi Gulf Coast tidal marshes. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2021; 166:112187. [PMID: 33639379 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Revised: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 02/13/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Millions of tons of plastic enter the environment every year, where much of it concentrates in environmental sinks such as tidal marshes. With prior studies documenting harm to marine fauna caused by this plastic pollution, the need to understand how this novel type of pollution affects estuarine fauna is great. Yet, research on the fate and uptake of plastic pollutants in estuarine ecosystems is sparse. Therefore, we quantified plastic prevalence and ingestion by two species of resident marsh bird, Clapper Rails (Rallus crepitans) and Seaside Sparrows (Ammospiza maritima), in coastal marsh ecosystems within Mississippi. We detected microplastics (plastics smaller than 5 mm) in 64% of marsh sediment samples, 83% of Clapper Rail and 69% of Seaside Sparrow proventriculus samples. Dominant types of microplastics detected in sediment and bird samples were fibers. This study provides the first evidence of microplastic ingestion by marsh birds and its distribution in coastal marshes within Mississippi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Spencer L Weitzel
- Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture, Mississippi State University, 775 Stone Boulevard, Mississippi State, MS 39762, USA; Coastal Research and Extension Center, Mississippi State University, 1815 Popps Ferry Road, Biloxi, MS 39532, USA.
| | - Jared M Feura
- Coastal Research and Extension Center, Mississippi State University, 1815 Popps Ferry Road, Biloxi, MS 39532, USA
| | - Scott A Rush
- Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture, Mississippi State University, 775 Stone Boulevard, Mississippi State, MS 39762, USA
| | - Raymond B Iglay
- Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture, Mississippi State University, 775 Stone Boulevard, Mississippi State, MS 39762, USA
| | - Mark S Woodrey
- Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture, Mississippi State University, 775 Stone Boulevard, Mississippi State, MS 39762, USA; Coastal Research and Extension Center, Mississippi State University, 1815 Popps Ferry Road, Biloxi, MS 39532, USA.
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