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Critchell K, Hamann M, Wildermann N, Grech A. Predicting the exposure of coastal species to plastic pollution in a complex island archipelago. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2019; 252:982-991. [PMID: 31252137 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.06.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2019] [Revised: 06/05/2019] [Accepted: 06/08/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Plastic pollution in the marine environment is a pervasive and increasing threat to global biodiversity. Prioritising management actions that target marine plastic pollution require spatial information on the dispersal and settlement of plastics from both local and external sources. However, there is a mismatch between the scale of most plastic dispersal studies (regional, national and global) and the scale relevant to management action (local). We use a fine-resolution hydrodynamic model to predict the potential exposure of coastal habitats and species (mangroves, coral reefs and marine turtles) to plastic pollution at the local scale of a management region (the 1,700 km2 Whitsunday Islands, Queensland, Australia). We assessed the potential exposure of mangroves, coral reefs and marine turtles to plastics during the two dominant wind conditions of the region; the trade wind and monsoon wind seasons. We found that in the trade wind season (April to September) all habitats and species had lower exposure than during the monsoon wind season (October to March). In both wind seasons we found a small proportion of coral reef habitat and large area of turtle habitat were in high potential exposure categories. Unlike coral reefs or marine turtles, mangroves had consistent hotspots of high exposure across wind seasons. Local scale management requires data at fine resolution to capture the variability that occurs at this scale. The outputs of our study can inform the development of conservation resources and local scale management action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kay Critchell
- College of Science and Engineering and TropWATER, James Cook University, Townsville, Australia; Marine Spatial Ecology Lab, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, Australia.
| | - Mark Hamann
- College of Science and Engineering and TropWATER, James Cook University, Townsville, Australia
| | - Natalie Wildermann
- College of Science and Engineering and TropWATER, James Cook University, Townsville, Australia
| | - Alana Grech
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, Australia
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52
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Compa M, Alomar C, Wilcox C, van Sebille E, Lebreton L, Hardesty BD, Deudero S. Risk assessment of plastic pollution on marine diversity in the Mediterranean Sea. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 678:188-196. [PMID: 31075585 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.04.355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2019] [Revised: 04/23/2019] [Accepted: 04/24/2019] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Plastic marine pollution is an increasing threat to global marine diversity. Quantifying this threat is particularly difficult and complex, especially when evaluating multiple species with different ecological requirements. Here, we examine the semi-enclosed basin of the Mediterranean Sea where the inputs of plastic pollution and its impact on marine diversity are still widely unknown. Eighty-four species from six taxonomic classes were evaluated to assess the risk of ingesting plastic marine debris, integrating inter-specific factors such as plastic exposure rates and life history traits (e.g., motility, habitat, and body size). Species were modelled within a spatial context to identify and estimate their exposure to plastic ingestion across the Mediterranean Sea using literature data, species distribution maps and plastic dispersion models. Our approach identified hotspots for the risk of plastic ingestion across multiple taxa in the Mediterranean Sea, highlighting that coastal species are at higher risk of ingesting plastic in the marine environment than open-sea species. The plastic exposure analysis indicated that species with larger home ranges were more at risk of exposure with increased distances while local species were more likely to be exposed to plastic closer to the centre of their home range location. The approach used in this study can be applied to support management and mitigation efforts throughout the Mediterranean Sea and in other geographic regions to minimize the impact of plastic pollution on marine diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Montserrat Compa
- Instituto Español de Oceanografía, Centro Oceanográfico de Baleares, Palma 07015, Spain.
| | - Carme Alomar
- Instituto Español de Oceanografía, Centro Oceanográfico de Baleares, Palma 07015, Spain
| | - Chris Wilcox
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, Oceans and Atmosphere Business Unit, Hobart, Tasmania. 7000, Australia
| | - Erik van Sebille
- Grantham Institute, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom; Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Research, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | | | - Britta Denise Hardesty
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, Oceans and Atmosphere Business Unit, Hobart, Tasmania. 7000, Australia
| | - Salud Deudero
- Instituto Español de Oceanografía, Centro Oceanográfico de Baleares, Palma 07015, Spain
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53
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Duncan EM, Arrowsmith JA, Bain CE, Bowdery H, Broderick AC, Chalmers T, Fuller WJ, Galloway TS, Lee JH, Lindeque PK, Omeyer LCM, Snape RTE, Godley BJ. Diet-related selectivity of macroplastic ingestion in green turtles (Chelonia mydas) in the eastern Mediterranean. Sci Rep 2019; 9:11581. [PMID: 31399637 PMCID: PMC6688982 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-48086-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2018] [Accepted: 07/23/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding the drivers of key interactions between marine vertebrates and plastic pollution is now considered a research priority. Sea turtles are primarily visual predators, with the ability to discriminate according to colour and shape; therefore these factors play a role in feeding choices. Classification methodologies of ingested plastic currently do not record these variables, however here, refined protocols allow us to test the hypothesis that plastic is selectively ingested when it resembles the food items of green turtles (Chelonia mydas). Turtles in the eastern Mediterranean displayed strong diet-related selectivity towards certain types (sheet and threadlike), colours (black, clear and green) and shapes (linear items strongly preferred) of plastic when compared to the environmental baseline of plastic beach debris. There was a significant negative relationship between size of turtle (curved carapace length) and number/mass of plastic pieces ingested, which may be explained through naivety and/or ontogenetic shifts in diet. Further investigation in other species and sites are needed to more fully ascertain the role of selectivity in plastic ingestion in this marine vertebrate group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily M Duncan
- Marine Turtle Research Group, Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall, TR10 9FE, UK.,College of Life and Environmental Sciences: Biosciences, Geoffrey Pope Building, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter, EX4 4PY, UK.,Marine Ecology and Biodiversity, Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Prospect Place, West Hoe, Plymouth, PL1 3DH, UK
| | - Jessica A Arrowsmith
- Marine Turtle Research Group, Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall, TR10 9FE, UK
| | - Charlotte E Bain
- Marine Turtle Research Group, Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall, TR10 9FE, UK
| | - Hannah Bowdery
- Marine Turtle Research Group, Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall, TR10 9FE, UK
| | - Annette C Broderick
- Marine Turtle Research Group, Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall, TR10 9FE, UK
| | - Tierney Chalmers
- Marine Turtle Research Group, Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall, TR10 9FE, UK
| | - Wayne J Fuller
- Marine Turtle Research Group, Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall, TR10 9FE, UK.,Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Near East University, Nicosia, North Cyprus Mersin 10, Turkey.,Society for Protection of Turtles, PK65, Kyrenia, North Cyprus Mersin 10, Turkey
| | - Tamara S Galloway
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences: Biosciences, Geoffrey Pope Building, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter, EX4 4PY, UK
| | - Jonathon H Lee
- Marine Turtle Research Group, Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall, TR10 9FE, UK
| | - Penelope K Lindeque
- Marine Ecology and Biodiversity, Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Prospect Place, West Hoe, Plymouth, PL1 3DH, UK
| | - Lucy C M Omeyer
- Marine Turtle Research Group, Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall, TR10 9FE, UK
| | - Robin T E Snape
- Marine Turtle Research Group, Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall, TR10 9FE, UK.,Society for Protection of Turtles, PK65, Kyrenia, North Cyprus Mersin 10, Turkey
| | - Brendan J Godley
- Marine Turtle Research Group, Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall, TR10 9FE, UK.
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54
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Jagiello Z, Dylewski Ł, Tobolka M, Aguirre JI. Life in a polluted world: A global review of anthropogenic materials in bird nests. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2019; 251:717-722. [PMID: 31108305 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.05.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2018] [Revised: 05/01/2019] [Accepted: 05/06/2019] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Human pressure exerts a significant influence on animals and the environment. One of its consequences, plastic pollution is considered one of the major threats to fauna as well as a significant conservation issue. In this research, we examined the global pattern of one example of avian behavior in response to pollution-namely, the incorporation of anthropogenic materials into nests-as well as the existing knowledge on this subject. Based on 25 articles, we studied 51 populations, involving 24 bird species, and checked 10,790 nests; as a result, we found that incorporation of debris is correlated with increasing human influence on the environment, measured as the Human Footprint Index. Moreover, the probability of debris incorporation is higher in terrestrial than in marine species. We also identified knowledge bias in favor of marine as opposed to terrestrial species: namely, marine species attract more scientific attention than terrestrial. Furthermore, research approaches to these two ecosystems differ. Undeniably, the factors which influence debris incorporation by birds, the scale of this behavior, and particular forms of use of debris in bird nests are aspects which require long-term standardized research. This is the first global review paper on debris incorporation by birds to demonstrate a close link to human pressure as a driver.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zuzanna Jagiello
- Institute of Zoology, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Wojska Polskiego 71C, 60-625, Poznań, Poland; Department of Biodiversity, Ecology and Evolution, Complutense University of Madrid, José Antonio Novais, 12, 28040, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Łukasz Dylewski
- Institute of Zoology, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Wojska Polskiego 71C, 60-625, Poznań, Poland
| | - Marcin Tobolka
- Institute of Zoology, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Wojska Polskiego 71C, 60-625, Poznań, Poland
| | - José I Aguirre
- Department of Biodiversity, Ecology and Evolution, Complutense University of Madrid, José Antonio Novais, 12, 28040, Madrid, Spain
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55
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Abreo NAS, Blatchley D, Superio MD. Stranded whale shark (Rhincodon typus) reveals vulnerability of filter-feeding elasmobranchs to marine litter in the Philippines. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2019; 141:79-83. [PMID: 30955783 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2019.02.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2018] [Revised: 02/12/2019] [Accepted: 02/14/2019] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Marine litter has adversely affected many marine species. However, information on its impacts on filter-feeding elasmobranchs (such as the whale shark, Rhinocodon typus) is scarce. The Philippines is an essential habitat for whale sharks, and the lack of data on marine litter and its effects on these organisms in the country is concerning. Beached carcasses present opportunities to provide useful data and insights on the issue. On the 7th August 2018, a live whale shark was found beached in Tagum City, the Philippines, and it eventually died. As part of the post-mortem examination, the gastrointestinal tract and gills of the specimen were examined. Marine litter was found lodged in its gills, and pieces of plastic were found inside its stomach (including several pieces likely from local sources within the Philippines). This study is the first documentation of litter in whale sharks from the Philippines, confirming their vulnerability to marine litter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neil Angelo S Abreo
- Senior High School Department, Malayan Colleges Mindanao, Davao City, Philippines; Regional Integrated Coastal Resource Management Center (RIC-XI), Davao Oriental State College of Science and Technology, Mati City, Davao Oriental, Philippines; Institute of Aquatic and Applied Sciences, Davao del Norte State College, Panabo City, Philippines.
| | | | - Michael Dann Superio
- Graduate School, Department of Natural Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, University of Southeastern Philippines, Davao City, Philippines
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56
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Liubartseva S, Coppini G, Lecci R. Are Mediterranean Marine Protected Areas sheltered from plastic pollution? MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2019; 140:579-587. [PMID: 30803679 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2019.01.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2018] [Revised: 01/10/2019] [Accepted: 01/10/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Comparisons of six selected Mediterranean MPAs were conducted to find similarities and site-specific differences in coastline fluxes and sources of plastic marine litter. Output from the recently developed 2D Lagrangian model for the Mediterranean was post-processed to study (1) the National Park of ses Salines d'Eivissa i Formentera, (2) Nature Reserve of Bouches de Bonifacio, (3) North-East Malta MPA, (4) Specially Protected Area of Porto Cesareo, (5) Community Importance Site of Torre Guaceto, and (6) Ethniko Thalassio Parko Alonnisou Voreion Sporadon. Model coastline fluxes of plastic ranged from 0.4 to3.6 kg (km day)-1, which is relatively low compared to the average flux of 6.2 ± 0.8 kg (km day)-1 calculated over the Mediterranean 2013-2017. Shipping was identified as a major source of plastic litter in all MPAs studied, contributing 55%-88% of total plastic. Site-specific rankings of the top 5 land-based plastic sources revealed that sea surface kinematics control plastic drift.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Liubartseva
- Fondazione CMCC - Centro Euro-Mediterraneo sui Cambiamenti Climatici, Bologna, Italy.
| | - G Coppini
- Fondazione CMCC - Centro Euro-Mediterraneo sui Cambiamenti Climatici, Lecce, Italy
| | - R Lecci
- Fondazione CMCC - Centro Euro-Mediterraneo sui Cambiamenti Climatici, Lecce, Italy
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57
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Abreo NAS, Thompson KF, Arabejo GFP, Superio MDA. Social media as a novel source of data on the impact of marine litter on megafauna: The Philippines as a case study. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2019; 140:51-59. [PMID: 30803673 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2019.01.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2018] [Revised: 01/15/2019] [Accepted: 01/15/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Marine litter is a global threat to marine biodiversity. However, there is a key knowledge gap on the impacts of marine litter in the Philippines - a country of high marine biodiversity and large exclusive economic zone. This gap is addressed here by using information shared on the internet by citizen scientists and conservation groups to assess the impacts of marine litter on megafauna. Facebook, presently the largest social media platform, was scanned for posts concerning the interaction between litter and marine species in the Philippines. Results showed thirty-two individuals from 17 species were affected by marine litter in the country. Furthermore, ingestion (61%) was the most frequent interaction reported. Mindanao was also identified as a hotspot for marine litter interactions. The study highlights the utility of social media in providing data to create an inventory of marine species adversely affected by litter and the spatial distribution of these interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neil Angelo S Abreo
- Senior High School Department, Malayan Colleges Mindanao, Davao City, Philippines; Regional Integrated Coastal Resource Management Center (RIC-XI), Davao Oriental State College of Science and Technology, Mati City, Davao Oriental, Philippines; Institute of Aquatic and Applied Sciences, Davao del Norte State College, Panabo City, Philippines.
| | - Kirsten F Thompson
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Glio Florgiley P Arabejo
- Regional Integrated Coastal Resource Management Center (RIC-XI), Davao Oriental State College of Science and Technology, Mati City, Davao Oriental, Philippines
| | - Michael Dann A Superio
- Graduate School, Department of Natural Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, University of Southeastern Philippines, Davao City, Philippines
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58
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Rizzi M, Rodrigues FL, Medeiros L, Ortega I, Rodrigues L, Monteiro DS, Kessler F, Proietti MC. Ingestion of plastic marine litter by sea turtles in southern Brazil: abundance, characteristics and potential selectivity. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2019; 140:536-548. [PMID: 30803675 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2019.01.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2018] [Revised: 01/24/2019] [Accepted: 01/24/2019] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
The ingestion of plastic marine litter (PML) by sea turtles is widespread and concerning, and the five species that occur in the southwestern Atlantic - green, loggerhead, olive ridley, leatherback and hawksbill - are vulnerable to this pollution. Here, we quantified and characterized PML ingested by these species in southern Brazil, and observed PML ingestion in 49 of 86 sampled individuals (~57.0%). Green turtles presented the highest rates and variety of ingested plastics, and such ingestion has been high at least since 1997. Omnivorous turtles presented higher PML ingestion than carnivorous ones. Loggerheads displayed a negative correlation between body size and number of ingested items. Green turtles ingested mostly flexible transparent and flexible/hard white plastics; loggerheads ate mainly flexible, hard and foam fragments, in white and black/brown colors. These results help us better understand PML ingestion by sea turtles, highlighting the seriousness of this threat and providing information for prevention and mitigation strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milena Rizzi
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Oceanografia Biológica - PPGOB, Instituto de Oceanografia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande - FURG, Av. Itália, km 8, CEP 96201-900 Rio Grande, RS, Brazil.
| | - Fábio L Rodrigues
- Centro de Estudos Costeiros, Limnológicos e Marinhos (CECLIMAR), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Campus Litoral Norte, 95625-000 Imbé, RS, Brazil
| | - Luciana Medeiros
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Oceanografia Biológica - PPGOB, Instituto de Oceanografia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande - FURG, Av. Itália, km 8, CEP 96201-900 Rio Grande, RS, Brazil
| | - Ileana Ortega
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Oceanografia Biológica - PPGOB, Instituto de Oceanografia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande - FURG, Av. Itália, km 8, CEP 96201-900 Rio Grande, RS, Brazil
| | - Lucas Rodrigues
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Oceanografia Biológica - PPGOB, Instituto de Oceanografia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande - FURG, Av. Itália, km 8, CEP 96201-900 Rio Grande, RS, Brazil
| | - Danielle S Monteiro
- Núcleo de Educação e Monitoramento Ambiental - NEMA, Rua Maria Araújo, 450 - Cassino, CEP 96207-480 Rio Grande, RS, Brazil
| | - Felipe Kessler
- Escola de Química e Alimentos, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande - FURG, Av. Itália, km 8, CEP 96201-900 Rio Grande, RS, Brazil
| | - Maíra C Proietti
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Oceanografia Biológica - PPGOB, Instituto de Oceanografia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande - FURG, Av. Itália, km 8, CEP 96201-900 Rio Grande, RS, Brazil
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59
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Garrison SR, Fuentes MMPB. Marine debris at nesting grounds used by the Northern Gulf of Mexico loggerhead recovery unit. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2019; 139:59-64. [PMID: 30686449 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.12.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2018] [Revised: 12/11/2018] [Accepted: 12/12/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Anthropogenic marine debris (AMD) can cause obstructions for nesting marine turtles and hatchlings, increase their exposure to toxicants, and potentially alter the incubating environment of clutches. Given the potential impacts of AMD on marine turtles, this study provides baseline information on the abundance and distribution of AMD at the ten highest density nesting beaches in Florida used by the Northern Gulf of Mexico Loggerhead Recovery Unit. Monitoring for AMD at nesting beaches was conducted in 2017 following protocols from the International Coastal Cleanup. AMD was present at all the nesting beaches, with the majority of AMD observed at the westernmost sites beginning with St. Joseph Peninsula State Park (363 AMD/km) with a gradual decrease of abundance to the easternmost site, Alligator Point (16 AMD/km). Plastic and foam items accounted for 92% (n = 13,566) of all AMD found.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha R Garrison
- Department of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Science, Florida State University, North Woodward Avenue, Tallahassee, FL 32306-4320, USA
| | - Mariana M P B Fuentes
- Department of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Science, Florida State University, North Woodward Avenue, Tallahassee, FL 32306-4320, USA.
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60
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Duncan EM, Broderick AC, Fuller WJ, Galloway TS, Godfrey MH, Hamann M, Limpus CJ, Lindeque PK, Mayes AG, Omeyer LCM, Santillo D, Snape RTE, Godley BJ. Microplastic ingestion ubiquitous in marine turtles. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2019; 25:744-752. [PMID: 30513551 PMCID: PMC6849705 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.14519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 124] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2018] [Accepted: 10/15/2018] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Despite concerns regarding the environmental impacts of microplastics, knowledge of the incidence and levels of synthetic particles in large marine vertebrates is lacking. Here, we utilize an optimized enzymatic digestion methodology, previously developed for zooplankton, to explore whether synthetic particles could be isolated from marine turtle ingesta. We report the presence of synthetic particles in every turtle subjected to investigation (n = 102) which included individuals from all seven species of marine turtle, sampled from three ocean basins (Atlantic [ATL]: n = 30, four species; Mediterranean (MED): n = 56, two species; Pacific (PAC): n = 16, five species). Most particles (n = 811) were fibres (ATL: 77.1% MED: 85.3% PAC: 64.8%) with blue and black being the dominant colours. In lesser quantities were fragments (ATL: 22.9%: MED: 14.7% PAC: 20.2%) and microbeads (4.8%; PAC only; to our knowledge the first isolation of microbeads from marine megavertebrates). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) of a subsample of particles (n = 169) showed a range of synthetic materials such as elastomers (MED: 61.2%; PAC: 3.4%), thermoplastics (ATL: 36.8%: MED: 20.7% PAC: 27.7%) and synthetic regenerated cellulosic fibres (SRCF; ATL: 63.2%: MED: 5.8% PAC: 68.9%). Synthetic particles being isolated from species occupying different trophic levels suggest the possibility of multiple ingestion pathways. These include exposure from polluted seawater and sediments and/or additional trophic transfer from contaminated prey/forage items. We assess the likelihood that microplastic ingestion presents a significant conservation problem at current levels compared to other anthropogenic threats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily M. Duncan
- Marine Turtle Research Group, Centre for Ecology and ConservationUniversity of ExeterPenrynUK
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences: BiosciencesUniversity of ExeterExeterUK
- Marine Ecology and BiodiversityPlymouth Marine LaboratoryPlymouthUK
| | - Annette C. Broderick
- Marine Turtle Research Group, Centre for Ecology and ConservationUniversity of ExeterPenrynUK
| | - Wayne J. Fuller
- Marine Turtle Research Group, Centre for Ecology and ConservationUniversity of ExeterPenrynUK
- Faculty of Veterinary MedicineNear East UniversityNicosiaNorth CyprusTurkey
- Society for Protection of TurtlesKyreniaNorth CyprusTurkey
| | - Tamara S. Galloway
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences: BiosciencesUniversity of ExeterExeterUK
| | | | - Mark Hamann
- College of Science and EngineeringJames Cook UniversityTownsvilleQLDAustralia
| | - Colin J. Limpus
- Department of Environment and ScienceThreatened Species UnitBrisbaneQLDAustralia
| | | | - Andrew G. Mayes
- School of ChemistryUniversity of East Anglia, Norwich Research ParkNorwichUK
| | - Lucy C. M. Omeyer
- Marine Turtle Research Group, Centre for Ecology and ConservationUniversity of ExeterPenrynUK
| | - David Santillo
- Greenpeace Research Laboratories, School of Biosciences, Innovation Centre Phase 2University of ExeterExeterUK
| | - Robin T. E. Snape
- Marine Turtle Research Group, Centre for Ecology and ConservationUniversity of ExeterPenrynUK
- Society for Protection of TurtlesKyreniaNorth CyprusTurkey
| | - Brendan J. Godley
- Marine Turtle Research Group, Centre for Ecology and ConservationUniversity of ExeterPenrynUK
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61
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Domènech F, Aznar FJ, Raga JA, Tomás J. Two decades of monitoring in marine debris ingestion in loggerhead sea turtle, Caretta caretta, from the western Mediterranean. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2019; 244:367-378. [PMID: 30352351 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2018.10.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2018] [Revised: 10/08/2018] [Accepted: 10/09/2018] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Anthropogenic marine debris is one of the major worldwide threats to marine ecosystems. The EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) has established a protocol for data collection on marine debris from the gut contents of the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta), and for determining assessment values of plastics for Good Environmental Status (GES). GES values are calculated as percent turtles having more than average plastic weight per turtle. In the present study, we quantify marine debris ingestion in 155 loggerhead sea turtles collected in the period 1995-2016 in waters of western Mediterranean (North-east Spain). The study aims (1) to update and standardize debris ingestion data available from this area, (2) to analyse this issue over two decades using Zero-altered (hurdle) models and (3) to provide new data to compare the only GES value available (off Italian waters). The composition of marine debris (occurrence and amounts of different categories) was similar to that found in other studies for the western Mediterranean and their amounts seem not to be an important threat to turtle survival in the region. Model results suggest that, in the study area, (a) period of stranding or capture, (b) turtle size and (c) latitude are significant predictors of anthropogenic debris ingestion (occurrence and amount) in turtles. The GES value for late juvenile turtles (CCL>40 cm) has decreased in the last ten years in the study area, and this is very similar to that obtained in Italian waters. We also provide a GES value for early juvenile turtles (CCL≤40 cm) for the first time. Recommendations arising from this study include ensuring use of (1) the standardized protocol proposed by the MSFD for assessing marine debris ingestion by loggerhead sea turtles and (2) the ecology of the turtles (neritic vs oceanic), rather than their size, to obtain GES values.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Domènech
- Marine Zoology Unit, Cavanilles Institute of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain.
| | - F J Aznar
- Marine Zoology Unit, Cavanilles Institute of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - J A Raga
- Marine Zoology Unit, Cavanilles Institute of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - J Tomás
- Marine Zoology Unit, Cavanilles Institute of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
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Patil SS, Bhagwat RV, Kumar V, Durugkar T. Megaplastics to Nanoplastics: Emerging Environmental Pollutants and Their Environmental Impacts. MICROORGANISMS FOR SUSTAINABILITY 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/978-981-13-7904-8_10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
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63
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Lynch JM. Quantities of Marine Debris Ingested by Sea Turtles: Global Meta-Analysis Highlights Need for Standardized Data Reporting Methods and Reveals Relative Risk. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2018; 52:12026-12038. [PMID: 30251846 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.8b02848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Because of their propensity to ingest debris, sea turtles are excellent bioindicators of the global marine debris problem. This review covers five decades of research on debris ingestion in sea turtles from 131 studies with a novel focus on quantities. Previous reviews have focused solely on presence/absence data. Past reviews have called for standardization and highlight biases in the literature, yet none thoroughly describe improvements needed at the data reporting stage. Consequences of three reporting choices are discussed: not reporting quantities of ingested debris (32% of sea turtle studies reported only frequency of occurrence), excluding animals that did not ingest debris (64%), and not normalizing quantities to animal size (95%). Ingestion quantities, corrected for these factors, allowed a first-ever global meta-analysis on the units of grams/kilogram, revealing that hawksbill and green turtles rank highest among sea turtle species, and that the Central and Northwest Pacific and Southwest Atlantic Oceans are hotspots. Furthermore, this review discovered that monitoring efforts are disproportionate to the magnitude of the problem. Large efforts are focused in the Mediterranean Sea where international policies are hotly discussed versus the Central Pacific that has 5-fold greater debris ingestion quantities but represents only 3% of the global research effort. Future studies are recommended to report quantities of ingested debris using units described herein and make use of the pilot database provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer M Lynch
- Chemical Sciences Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology , Hawaii Pacific University , Waimanalo , Hawaii 96795 , United States
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64
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Hays GC, Doyle TK, Houghton JD. A Paradigm Shift in the Trophic Importance of Jellyfish? Trends Ecol Evol 2018; 33:874-884. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2018.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2018] [Revised: 09/03/2018] [Accepted: 09/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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65
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Blettler MCM, Abrial E, Khan FR, Sivri N, Espinola LA. Freshwater plastic pollution: Recognizing research biases and identifying knowledge gaps. WATER RESEARCH 2018; 143:416-424. [PMID: 29986250 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2018.06.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 258] [Impact Index Per Article: 43.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2018] [Revised: 06/06/2018] [Accepted: 06/07/2018] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
The overwhelming majority of research conducted to date on plastic pollution (all size fractions) has focused on marine ecosystems. In comparison, only a few studies provide evidence for the presence of plastic debris in freshwater environments. However, owing to the numerous differences between freshwater studies (including studied species and habitats, geographical locations, social and economic contexts, the type of data obtained and also the broad range of purposes), they show only fragments of the overall picture of freshwater plastic pollution. This highlights the lack of a holistic vision and evidences several knowledge gaps and data biases. Through a bibliometric analysis we identified such knowledge gaps, inconsistencies and survey trends of plastic pollution research within freshwater ecosystems. We conclude that there is a continued need to increase the field-data bases about plastics (all size fractions) in freshwater environments. This is particularly important to estimate river plastic emissions to the world's oceans. Accordingly, data about macroplastics from most polluted and larger rivers are very scarce, although macroplastics represent a huge input in terms of plastics weight. In addition, submerged macroplastics may play an important role in transporting mismanaged plastic waste, however almost no studies exist. Although many of the most plastic polluted rivers are in Asia, only 14% of the reviewed studies were carried out in this continent (even though the major inland fisheries of the world are located in Asia's rivers). The potential damage caused by macroplastics on a wide range of freshwater fauna is as yet undetermined, even though negative impacts have been well documented in similar marine species. We also noted a clear supremacy of microplastic studies over macroplastic ones, even though there is no reason to assume that freshwater ecosystems remain unaffected by macro-debris. Finally, we recommend focusing monitoring efforts in most polluted rivers worldwide, but particularly in countries with rapid economic development and poor waste management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martín C M Blettler
- Instituto Nacional de Limnología (INALI; CONICET-UNL), Ciudad Universitaria (3000), Santa Fe, Argentina.
| | - Elie Abrial
- Instituto Nacional de Limnología (INALI; CONICET-UNL), Ciudad Universitaria (3000), Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Farhan R Khan
- Department of Science and Environment, Roskilde University, Universitetsvej 1, PO Box 260, DK-4000, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Nuket Sivri
- Istanbul University, Cerrahpasa, Engineering Faculty, Department of Environmental Engineering, Istanbul, 34320, Turkey
| | - Luis A Espinola
- Instituto Nacional de Limnología (INALI; CONICET-UNL), Ciudad Universitaria (3000), Santa Fe, Argentina
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66
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Chambault P, Vandeperre F, Machete M, Lagoa JC, Pham CK. Distribution and composition of floating macro litter off the Azores archipelago and Madeira (NE Atlantic) using opportunistic surveys. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2018; 141:225-232. [PMID: 30227983 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2018.09.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2018] [Revised: 09/07/2018] [Accepted: 09/09/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The distribution and composition of macro litter floating around oceanic islands is poorly known, especially in the North Atlantic. Due to its isolated location at the fringe of the North Atlantic subtropical gyre, the Azores archipelago has recently been proposed as a potential retention zone for floating litter. To further investigate this assumption, opportunistic surveys from pole-and-line tuna fishing boats were performed from 2015 to 2017 to document (1) the distribution and (2) the composition of the floating macro litter present off the Azores and Madeira islands. Among the 2406 visual transects, 482 floating debris were recorded and were mainly composed of general plastic user items (48%), plastic packaging (21%) and derelict fishing gears (18%). Average number of debris per transect was 0.19 ± 0.5, with a total number ranging between 0 and 5 items per transect. For the majority of transects (84%), no debris was observed, 13% of the transects contained a single item, and only 3% contained more than one item. Although debris between 2.5 and 5 cm were recorded, 93% of the debris were larger than 5 cm. The GLMs showed strong effect of the observer (p < 0.001) and the standardized densities accounting for the observer bias were higher (1.39 ± 0.14 items.km-2) than the observed densities (0.78 ± 0.07 items.km-2). Debris densities were however relatively low and tended to aggregate around the Central group of the Azores (standardized mean: 0.90 ± 0.20 items.km-2). Our findings therefore suggest that most of the debris might originate from far away land-based sources and from fishing activities. This study highlights the potential of fisheries observer programs to obtain cost-effective information on floating macro debris that are essential to support the implementation of the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philippine Chambault
- IMAR, Instituto do Mar, Departamento de Oceanografia e Pescas, Universidade dos Açores, 9901-862, Horta, Portugal; OKEANOS, Universidade dos Açores, Departamento de Oceanografia e Pescas, 9901-862, Horta, Portugal.
| | - Frederic Vandeperre
- IMAR, Instituto do Mar, Departamento de Oceanografia e Pescas, Universidade dos Açores, 9901-862, Horta, Portugal; OKEANOS, Universidade dos Açores, Departamento de Oceanografia e Pescas, 9901-862, Horta, Portugal; MARE, Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Universidade dos Açores, 9901-862, Horta, Portugal
| | - Miguel Machete
- IMAR, Instituto do Mar, Departamento de Oceanografia e Pescas, Universidade dos Açores, 9901-862, Horta, Portugal; OKEANOS, Universidade dos Açores, Departamento de Oceanografia e Pescas, 9901-862, Horta, Portugal
| | - João Carvalho Lagoa
- IMAR, Instituto do Mar, Departamento de Oceanografia e Pescas, Universidade dos Açores, 9901-862, Horta, Portugal; OKEANOS, Universidade dos Açores, Departamento de Oceanografia e Pescas, 9901-862, Horta, Portugal
| | - Christopher Kim Pham
- IMAR, Instituto do Mar, Departamento de Oceanografia e Pescas, Universidade dos Açores, 9901-862, Horta, Portugal; OKEANOS, Universidade dos Açores, Departamento de Oceanografia e Pescas, 9901-862, Horta, Portugal; MARE, Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Universidade dos Açores, 9901-862, Horta, Portugal
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Wildermann NE, Gredzens C, Avens L, Barrios-Garrido HA, Bell I, Blumenthal J, Bolten AB, Braun McNeill J, Casale P, Di Domenico M, Domit C, Epperly SP, Godfrey MH, Godley BJ, González-Carman V, Hamann M, Hart KM, Ishihara T, Mansfield KL, Metz TL, Miller JD, Pilcher NJ, Read MA, Sasso C, Seminoff JA, Seney EE, Willard AS, Tomás J, Vélez-Rubio GM, Ware M, Williams JL, Wyneken J, Fuentes MMPB. Informing research priorities for immature sea turtles through expert elicitation. ENDANGER SPECIES RES 2018. [DOI: 10.3354/esr00916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
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68
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White EM, Clark S, Manire CA, Crawford B, Wang S, Locklin J, Ritchie BW. Ingested Micronizing Plastic Particle Compositions and Size Distributions within Stranded Post-Hatchling Sea Turtles. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2018; 52:10307-10316. [PMID: 30118591 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.8b02776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
From July 2015 to November 2016, 96 post-hatchling sea turtles were collected from 118 km of the Atlantic coastline in Florida, USA, including loggerhead, green, and hawksbill sea turtle species. Forty-five of the recovered turtles were rehabilitated and released, but the remaining 52 died and were frozen. At necropsy, the gastrointestinal tracts of most the turtles contained visible plastic, and collected particles of 27 individuals were chemically characterized by Raman microscopy as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, and polystyrene. Mesoparticle plastic fragments 1.0-8.7 mm, microparticle fragments 20-1000 μm, and nanoparticles 5-169 nm were identified in the turtles. Polyethylene and polypropylene were the most common plastics ingested from specimens representing 54.1 and 23.7% of the total observed mesoparticles and 11.7 and 21.0% of the total observed microparticles, respectively. A plastic-to-body mass ratio of 2.07 mg/g was determined for this group. The authors suggest that ingestion of micronizing plastic by post-hatchling sea turtles is likely a substantial risk to survival of these endangered and threatened species. This study also provides some of the first evidence for the formation of nanoscopic plastic particles that we theorize forms in the post-hatchling and juvenile environment and are present post-ingestion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evan M White
- New Materials Institute , University of Georgia , Athens , Georgia 30602 , United States
- Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery , University of Georgia , Athens , Georgia 30602 , United States
| | - Samantha Clark
- Loggerhead Marinelife Center , Juno Beach , Florida 33408 , United States
| | - Charles A Manire
- Loggerhead Marinelife Center , Juno Beach , Florida 33408 , United States
| | - Benjamin Crawford
- Department of Chemistry , University of Georgia , Athens , Georgia 30602 , United States
| | - Shunli Wang
- New Materials Institute , University of Georgia , Athens , Georgia 30602 , United States
- College of Engineering , University of Georgia , Athens , Georgia 30602 , United States
| | - Jason Locklin
- New Materials Institute , University of Georgia , Athens , Georgia 30602 , United States
- College of Engineering , University of Georgia , Athens , Georgia 30602 , United States
- Department of Chemistry , University of Georgia , Athens , Georgia 30602 , United States
| | - Branson W Ritchie
- New Materials Institute , University of Georgia , Athens , Georgia 30602 , United States
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69
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A quantitative analysis linking sea turtle mortality and plastic debris ingestion. Sci Rep 2018; 8:12536. [PMID: 30213956 PMCID: PMC6137038 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-30038-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2017] [Accepted: 07/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Plastic in the marine environment is a growing environmental issue. Sea turtles are at significant risk of ingesting plastic debris at all stages of their lifecycle with potentially lethal consequences. We tested the relationship between the amount of plastic a turtle has ingested and the likelihood of death, treating animals that died of known causes unrelated to plastic ingestion as a statistical control group. We utilized two datasets; one based on necropsies of 246 sea turtles and a second using 706 records extracted from a national strandings database. Animals dying of known causes unrelated to plastic ingestion had less plastic in their gut than those that died of either indeterminate causes or due to plastic ingestion directly (e.g. via gut impaction and perforation). We found a 50% probability of mortality once an animal had 14 pieces of plastic in its gut. Our results provide the critical link between recent estimates of plastic ingestion and the population effects of this environmental threat.
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70
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Godoy DA, Stockin KA. Anthropogenic impacts on green turtles Chelonia mydas in New Zealand. ENDANGER SPECIES RES 2018. [DOI: 10.3354/esr00908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
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71
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Hipfner JM, Galbraith M, Tucker S, Studholme KR, Domalik AD, Pearson SF, Good TP, Ross PS, Hodum P. Two forage fishes as potential conduits for the vertical transfer of microfibres in Northeastern Pacific Ocean food webs. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2018; 239:215-222. [PMID: 29655068 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2018.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2017] [Revised: 04/01/2018] [Accepted: 04/02/2018] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
We assessed the potential role played by two vital Northeastern Pacific Ocean forage fishes, the Pacific sand lance (Ammodytes personatus) and Pacific herring (Clupea pallasii), as conduits for the vertical transfer of microfibres in food webs. We quantified the number of microfibres found in the stomachs of 734 sand lance and 205 herring that had been captured by an abundant seabird, the rhinoceros auklet (Cerorhinca monocerata). Sampling took place on six widely-dispersed breeding colonies in British Columbia, Canada, and Washington State, USA, over one to eight years. The North Pacific Ocean is a global hotspot for pollution, yet few sand lance (1.5%) or herring (2.0%) had ingested microfibres. In addition, there was no systematic relationship between the prevalence of microplastics in the fish stomachs vs. in waters around three of our study colonies (measured in an earlier study). Sampling at a single site (Protection Island, WA) in a single year (2016) yielded most (sand lance) or all (herring) of the microfibres recovered over the 30 colony-years of sampling involved in this study, yet no microfibres had been recovered there, in either species, in the previous year. We thus found no evidence that sand lance and herring currently act as major food-web conduits for microfibres along British Columbia's outer coast, nor that the local at-sea density of plastic necessarily determines how much plastic enters marine food webs via zooplanktivores. Extensive urban development around the Salish Sea probably explains the elevated microfibre loads in fishes collected on Protection Island, but we cannot account for the between-year variation. Nonetheless, the existence of such marked interannual variation indicates the importance of measuring year-to-year variation in microfibre pollution both at sea and in marine biota.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Mark Hipfner
- Wildlife Research Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, RR#1 5421 Robertson Road, Delta, BC, V4K 3N2, Canada.
| | - Moira Galbraith
- Institute of Ocean Sciences, Fisheries and Oceans Canada 9860 West Saanich Road, Sidney, BC, V8L 4B2, Canada
| | - Strahan Tucker
- Pacific Biological Station, Fisheries and Oceans Canada 3190 Hammond Bay Road, Nanaimo, BC, V9T 6N7, Canada
| | - Katharine R Studholme
- Department of Biology, Dalhousie University, 1355 Oxford Street, Halifax, NS, B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Alice D Domalik
- Centre for Wildlife Ecology, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC, V5A 1S6, Canada
| | - Scott F Pearson
- Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, 1111 Washington Street SE, Olympia, WA, 98501, USA
| | - Thomas P Good
- Northwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service 2725 Montlake Boulevard East, Seattle, WA, 98112, USA
| | - Peter S Ross
- Coastal Ocean Research Institute, Ocean Wise Conservation Association, P.O. Box 3232, Vancouver, BC, V6B 3X8, Canada
| | - Peter Hodum
- Department of Biology, University of Puget Sound Tacoma, WA, 98416, USA
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72
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Harris LR, Nel R, Oosthuizen H, Meÿer M, Kotze D, Anders D, McCue S, Bachoo S. Managing conflicts between economic activities and threatened migratory marine species toward creating a multiobjective blue economy. CONSERVATION BIOLOGY : THE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY 2018; 32:411-423. [PMID: 28766846 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.12992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2016] [Revised: 06/09/2017] [Accepted: 07/17/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Harnessing the economic potential of the oceans is key to combating poverty, enhancing food security, and strengthening economies. But the concomitant risk of intensified resource extraction to migratory species is worrying given these species contribute to important ecological processes, often underpin alternative livelihoods, and are mostly already threatened. We thus sought to quantify the potential conflict between key economic activities (5 fisheries and hydrocarbon exploitation) and sea turtle migration corridors in a region with rapid economic development: southern and eastern Africa. We satellite tracked the movement of 20 loggerhead (Caretta caretta) and 14 leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea) turtles during their postnesting migrations. We used movement-based kernel density estimation to identify migration corridors for each species. We overlaid these corridors on maps of the distribution and intensity of economic activities, quantified the extent of overlap and threat posed by each activity on each species, and compared the effects of activities. These results were compared with annual bycatch rates in the respective fisheries. Both species' 3 corridors overlapped most with longline fishing, but the effect was worse for leatherbacks: their bycatch rates of approximately 1500/year were substantial relative to the regional population size of <100 nesting females/annum. This bycatch rate is likely slowing population growth. Artisanal fisheries may be of greater concern for loggerheads than for leatherbacks, but the population appears to be withstanding the high bycatch rates because it is increasing exponentially. The hydrocarbon industry currently has a moderately low impact on both species, but mining in key areas (e.g., Southern Mozambique) may undermine >50 years of conservation, potentially affecting >80% of loggerheads, 33% of the (critically endangered) leatherbacks, and their nesting beaches. We support establishing blue economies (i.e., generating wealth from the ocean), but oceans need to be carefully zoned and responsibly managed in both space and time to achieve economic (resource extraction), ecological (conservation, maintenance of processes), and social (maintenance of alternative livelihood opportunities, alleviate poverty) objectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda R Harris
- Department of Zoology, Institute for Coastal and Marine Research, Nelson Mandela University, Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, 6001, South Africa
| | - Ronel Nel
- Department of Zoology, Institute for Coastal and Marine Research, Nelson Mandela University, Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, 6001, South Africa
| | - Herman Oosthuizen
- Department of Environmental Affairs, Branch: Oceans and Coasts, Cape Town, Western Cape, 8001, South Africa
| | - Mike Meÿer
- Department of Environmental Affairs, Branch: Oceans and Coasts, Cape Town, Western Cape, 8001, South Africa
| | - Deon Kotze
- Department of Environmental Affairs, Branch: Oceans and Coasts, Cape Town, Western Cape, 8001, South Africa
| | - Darrell Anders
- Department of Environmental Affairs, Branch: Oceans and Coasts, Cape Town, Western Cape, 8001, South Africa
| | - Steven McCue
- Department of Environmental Affairs, Branch: Oceans and Coasts, Cape Town, Western Cape, 8001, South Africa
| | - Santosh Bachoo
- Ezemvelo KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife, Private Bag X 3, Congella, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, 4013, South Africa
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73
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Vélez-Rubio GM, Teryda N, Asaroff PE, Estrades A, Rodriguez D, Tomás J. Differential impact of marine debris ingestion during ontogenetic dietary shift of green turtles in Uruguayan waters. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2018; 127:603-611. [PMID: 29475703 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.12.053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2017] [Revised: 12/16/2017] [Accepted: 12/20/2017] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Anthropogenic debris ingestion has been reported for green turtles in all their life stages worldwide. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the marine debris ingestion by green turtles stranded in Uruguayan coast between 2005 and 2013. Debris items were categorized and quantified by frequency of occurrence, relative weight, volume and number of items. A total of 96 dead stranded turtles were analyzed and 70% presented debris in their guts. The majority of debris found were plastic, being hard plastics the most abundant in weight. We found no differences in debris ingestion in stranded turtles a long the Uruguayan coast. However we detected a negative correlation between the presence of debris and turtle's size. Smaller turtles are new recruits to neritic grounds indicating that the early juvenile stage of this species is the most vulnerable to this threat in the Southwestern Atlantic.
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Affiliation(s)
- G M Vélez-Rubio
- Marine Zoology Unit, Cavanilles Institute of Biodiversity and Evolutive Biology, University of Valencia, Aptdo. 22085, 46071, Valencia, Spain; Karumbe NGO, Av. Rivera 3245, CP 11400, Montevideo, Uruguay.
| | - N Teryda
- Marine Zoology Unit, Cavanilles Institute of Biodiversity and Evolutive Biology, University of Valencia, Aptdo. 22085, 46071, Valencia, Spain; Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, Conicet, C 7600 Mar del Plata, Argentina
| | - P E Asaroff
- Universidad Favaloro, Entre Ríos 495, C1079ABE, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - A Estrades
- Karumbe NGO, Av. Rivera 3245, CP 11400, Montevideo, Uruguay; Museo Nacional de Historia Natural, 25 de mayo 582, CC 399, CP 11000, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - D Rodriguez
- Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, Conicet, C 7600 Mar del Plata, Argentina
| | - J Tomás
- Marine Zoology Unit, Cavanilles Institute of Biodiversity and Evolutive Biology, University of Valencia, Aptdo. 22085, 46071, Valencia, Spain.
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74
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Savoca D, Arculeo M, Barreca S, Buscemi S, Caracappa S, Gentile A, Persichetti MF, Pace A. Chasing phthalates in tissues of marine turtles from the Mediterranean sea. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2018; 127:165-169. [PMID: 29475650 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.11.069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2017] [Revised: 11/27/2017] [Accepted: 11/30/2017] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Tissues from thirteen specimens of marine turtles, one Dermochelys coriacea and twelve Caretta caretta, found dead along the Sicilian coasts in 2016 were analyzed for the presence of phthalates. Four phthalates (DEP, DBP, BBP, and DEHP) were found at different significant concentrations in liver and gonads, while only DBP was found in muscle tissues and at a fourfold lower concentration than other phthalates in Dermochelys coriacea. No traces of DEP were detected in C. caretta tissues where DOTP was also revealed. The presence of phthalates in fat tissue in specimens of C. caretta showed a major prevalence of the most lipophilic phthalates DEHP and DOTP. The total concentration of all analyzed phthalates, showed high values in all tissues. Results suggested that for monitoring purposes from live specimens sample collection should be addressed to fat tissue with accurate manipulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dario Savoca
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche e Farmaceutiche (STEBICEF), Università degli Studi di Palermo, 90100 Palermo, Italy
| | - Marco Arculeo
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche e Farmaceutiche (STEBICEF), Università degli Studi di Palermo, 90100 Palermo, Italy
| | - Salvatore Barreca
- Istituto EuroMediterraneo di Scienza e Tecnologia (IEMEST), Via Michele Miraglia 20, 90139 Palermo, Italy
| | - Silvestre Buscemi
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche e Farmaceutiche (STEBICEF), Università degli Studi di Palermo, 90100 Palermo, Italy
| | - Santo Caracappa
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Via Marinuzzi 6, Palermo, Italy
| | - Antonino Gentile
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Via Marinuzzi 6, Palermo, Italy
| | | | - Andrea Pace
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche e Farmaceutiche (STEBICEF), Università degli Studi di Palermo, 90100 Palermo, Italy.
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75
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Axelsson C, van Sebille E. Prevention through policy: Urban macroplastic leakages to the marine environment during extreme rainfall events. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2017; 124:211-227. [PMID: 28755809 PMCID: PMC5667635 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.07.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2017] [Revised: 07/10/2017] [Accepted: 07/11/2017] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
The leakage of large plastic litter (macroplastics) into the ocean is a major environmental problem. A significant fraction of this leakage originates from coastal cities, particularly during extreme rainfall events. As coastal cities continue to grow, finding ways to reduce this macroplastic leakage is extremely pertinent. Here, we explore why and how coastal cities can reduce macroplastic leakages during extreme rainfall events. Using nine global cities as a basis, we establish that while cities actively create policies that reduce plastic leakages, more needs to be done. Nonetheless, these policies are economically, socially and environmentally cobeneficial to the city environment. While the lack of political engagement and economic concerns limit these policies, lacking social motivation and engagement is the largest limitation towards implementing policy. We recommend cities to incentivize citizen and municipal engagement with responsible usage of plastics, cleaning the environment and preparing for future extreme rainfall events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles Axelsson
- Centre for Environmental Policy, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Erik van Sebille
- Grantham Institute and Department of Physics, Imperial College London, London, UK; Institute for Marine and Atmospheric research Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands.
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76
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Pham CK, Rodríguez Y, Dauphin A, Carriço R, Frias JPGL, Vandeperre F, Otero V, Santos MR, Martins HR, Bolten AB, Bjorndal KA. Plastic ingestion in oceanic-stage loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) off the North Atlantic subtropical gyre. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2017; 121:222-229. [PMID: 28606614 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2017] [Revised: 06/02/2017] [Accepted: 06/03/2017] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Juvenile oceanic-stage sea turtles are particularly vulnerable to the increasing quantity of plastic coming into the oceans. In this study, we analysed the gastrointestinal tracts of 24 juvenile oceanic-stage loggerheads (Caretta caretta) collected off the North Atlantic subtropical gyre, in the Azores region, a key feeding ground for juvenile loggerheads. Twenty individuals were found to have ingested marine debris (83%), composed exclusively of plastic items (primarily polyethylene and polypropylene) identified by μ-Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy. Large microplastics (1-5mm) represented 25% of the total number of debris and were found in 58% of the individuals sampled. Average number of items was 15.83±6.09 (±SE) per individual, corresponding to a mean dry mass of 1.07±0.41g. The results of this study demonstrate that plastic pollution acts as another stressor for this critical life stage of loggerhead turtles in the North Atlantic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher K Pham
- IMAR-Institute of Marine Research and MARE-Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, University of the Azores, Horta, Portugal.
| | - Yasmina Rodríguez
- IMAR-Institute of Marine Research and MARE-Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, University of the Azores, Horta, Portugal
| | - Axelle Dauphin
- ENVT - École Nationale Vétérinaire de Toulouse, 23 Chemin des Capelles, 31300 Toulouse, France
| | - Rita Carriço
- IMAR-Institute of Marine Research and MARE-Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, University of the Azores, Horta, Portugal
| | - João P G L Frias
- IMAR-Institute of Marine Research and MARE-Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, University of the Azores, Horta, Portugal
| | - Frederic Vandeperre
- IMAR-Institute of Marine Research and MARE-Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, University of the Azores, Horta, Portugal
| | - Vanessa Otero
- Department of Conservation and Restoration and LAQV-REQUIMTE, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia da Universidade Nova de Lisboa, 2829-516 Monte da Caparica, Portugal
| | - Marco R Santos
- DRAM - Direção Regional dos Assuntos do Mar/Regional Directorate for Sea Affairs, Secretaria Regional do Mar, Ciência e Tecnologia, Colónia Alemã - Apartado 9, 9900-014 Horta, Faial, Portugal
| | - Helen R Martins
- IMAR-Institute of Marine Research and MARE-Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, University of the Azores, Horta, Portugal
| | - Alan B Bolten
- ACCSTR - Archie Carr Center for Sea Turtle Research, Department of Biology, PO Box 118525, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Karen A Bjorndal
- ACCSTR - Archie Carr Center for Sea Turtle Research, Department of Biology, PO Box 118525, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
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77
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Clukey KE, Lepczyk CA, Balazs GH, Work TM, Lynch JM. Investigation of plastic debris ingestion by four species of sea turtles collected as bycatch in pelagic Pacific longline fisheries. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2017; 120:117-125. [PMID: 28487057 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.04.064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2017] [Revised: 04/29/2017] [Accepted: 04/29/2017] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Ingestion of marine debris is an established threat to sea turtles. The amount, type, color and location of ingested plastics in the gastrointestinal tracts of 55 sea turtles from Pacific longline fisheries from 2012 to 2016 were quantified, and compared across species, turtle length, body condition, sex, capture location, season and year. Six approaches for quantifying amounts of ingested plastic strongly correlated with one another and included: number of pieces, mass, volume and surface area of plastics, ratio of plastic mass to body mass, and percentage of the mass of gut contents consisting of plastic. All olive ridley (n=37), 90% of green (n=10), 80% of loggerhead (n=5) and 0% of leatherback (n=3) turtles had ingested plastic; green turtles ingested significantly more than olive ridleys. Most debris was in the large intestines. No adverse health impacts (intestinal lesions, blockage, or poor body condition) due directly to plastic ingestion were noted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharine E Clukey
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, United States
| | - Christopher A Lepczyk
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, United States; Auburn University, School of Forestry and Wildlife Science, Auburn, AL, United States
| | - George H Balazs
- Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, Honolulu, HI, United States
| | - Thierry M Work
- National Wildlife Health Center, Honolulu Field Station, U.S. Geological Survey, Honolulu, HI, United States
| | - Jennifer M Lynch
- Chemical Sciences Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Kaneohe, HI, United States.
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78
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Santidrián Tomillo P, Robinson NJ, Sanz-Aguilar A, Spotila JR, Paladino FV, Tavecchia G. High and variable mortality of leatherback turtles reveal possible anthropogenic impacts. Ecology 2017; 98:2170-2179. [DOI: 10.1002/ecy.1909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2016] [Revised: 02/28/2017] [Accepted: 04/18/2017] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- P. Santidrián Tomillo
- Population Ecology Group; Institut Mediterrani d’ Estudis Avançats; IMEDEA (CSIC-UIB); Miquel Marquès, 21 Esporles 07190 Spain
- The Leatherback Trust; Goldring-Gund Marine Biology Station; Playa Grande Costa Rica
| | - N. J. Robinson
- The Leatherback Trust; Goldring-Gund Marine Biology Station; Playa Grande Costa Rica
- Department of Biology; Indiana-Purdue University; Fort Wayne Indiana 46805 USA
| | - A. Sanz-Aguilar
- Population Ecology Group; Institut Mediterrani d’ Estudis Avançats; IMEDEA (CSIC-UIB); Miquel Marquès, 21 Esporles 07190 Spain
| | - J. R. Spotila
- The Leatherback Trust; Goldring-Gund Marine Biology Station; Playa Grande Costa Rica
- Department of Biodiversity, Earth and Environmental Science; Drexel University; Philadelphia Pennsylvania 19104 USA
| | - F. V. Paladino
- The Leatherback Trust; Goldring-Gund Marine Biology Station; Playa Grande Costa Rica
- Department of Biology; Indiana-Purdue University; Fort Wayne Indiana 46805 USA
| | - G. Tavecchia
- Population Ecology Group; Institut Mediterrani d’ Estudis Avançats; IMEDEA (CSIC-UIB); Miquel Marquès, 21 Esporles 07190 Spain
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79
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Krelling AP, Souza MM, Williams AT, Turra A. Transboundary movement of marine litter in an estuarine gradient: Evaluating sources and sinks using hydrodynamic modelling and ground truthing estimates. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2017; 119:48-63. [PMID: 28336209 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.03.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2016] [Revised: 03/15/2017] [Accepted: 03/15/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Marine debris' transboundary nature and new strategies to identify sources and sinks in coastal areas were investigated along the Paranaguá estuarine gradient (southern Brazil), through integration of hydrodynamic modelling, ground truthing estimates and regressive vector analysis. The simulated release of virtual particles in different parts of the inner estuary suggests a residence time shorter than 5days before being exported through the estuary mouth (intermediate compartment) to the open ocean. Stranded litter supported this pathway, with beaches in the internal compartment presenting proportionally more items from domestic sources, while fragmented items with unknown sources were proportionally more abundant in the oceanic beaches. Regressive vector analysis reinforced the inner estuarine origin of the stranded litter in both estuarine and oceanic beaches. These results support the applicability of simple hydrodynamic models to address marine debris' transboundary issues in the land-sea transition zone, thus supporting an ecosystem transboundary (and not territorial) management approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allan Paul Krelling
- Federal Institute of Paraná (IFPR), Paranaguá Campus, Natural Resources Department, Antônio Carlos Rodrigues St. 453, 83215-750 Paranaguá, Paraná, Brazil.
| | - Mihael Machado Souza
- Federal University of Paraná, (UFPR), Center for Marine Studies (CEM), Coastal and Oceanic Systems Graduate Program (PGSISCO), Av. Beira-Mar, s/n, 83255-976 Pontal do Paraná, Paraná, Brazil.
| | - Allan Thomas Williams
- University of Wales, Trinity St David, School of Architecture, Computing and Engineering, Mt Pleasant, Swansea SA1 6ED, Wales, United Kingdom; Interdisciplinary Centre of Social Sciences, (CICS. NOVA.FCSH/UNL), Avenida de Berna, 26 C, 1069-061 Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - Alexander Turra
- University of São Paulo (USP), Department of Biological Oceanography, Oceanographic Institute (IOUSP), Praça do Oceanográfico, 191, 05508-120 São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
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80
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Birnie-Gauvin K, Peiman KS, Raubenheimer D, Cooke SJ. Nutritional physiology and ecology of wildlife in a changing world. CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2017; 5:cox030. [PMID: 28740638 PMCID: PMC5516125 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/cox030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2016] [Revised: 04/12/2017] [Accepted: 05/08/2017] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Over the last century, humans have modified landscapes, generated pollution and provided opportunities for exotic species to invade areas where they did not evolve. In addition, humans now interact with animals in a growing number of ways (e.g. ecotourism). As a result, the quality (i.e. nutrient composition) and quantity (i.e. food abundance) of dietary items consumed by wildlife have, in many cases, changed. We present representative examples of the extent to which vertebrate foraging behaviour, food availability (quantity and quality) and digestive physiology have been modified due to human-induced environmental changes and human activities. We find that these effects can be quite extensive, especially as a result of pollution and human-provisioned food sources (despite good intentions). We also discuss the role of nutrition in conservation practices, from the perspective of both in situ and ex situ conservation. Though we find that the changes in the nutritional ecology and physiology of wildlife due to human alterations are typically negative and largely involve impacts on foraging behaviour and food availability, the extent to which these will affect the fitness of organisms and result in evolutionary changes is not clearly understood, and requires further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kim Birnie-Gauvin
- Fish Ecology and Conservation Physiology Laboratory, Department of Biology and Institute of Environmental Science, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, Canada ON K1S 5B6
- DTU AQUA, National Institute of Aquatic Resources, Section for Freshwater Fisheries Ecology, Technical University of Denmark, Vejlsøvej 39, 8600 Silkeborg, Denmark
| | - Kathryn S. Peiman
- Fish Ecology and Conservation Physiology Laboratory, Department of Biology and Institute of Environmental Science, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, Canada ON K1S 5B6
| | - David Raubenheimer
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Regimental Drive, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia
| | - Steven J. Cooke
- Fish Ecology and Conservation Physiology Laboratory, Department of Biology and Institute of Environmental Science, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, Canada ON K1S 5B6
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81
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Scott R, Biastoch A, Agamboue PD, Bayer T, Boussamba FL, Formia A, Godley BJ, Mabert BDK, Manfoumbi JC, Schwarzkopf FU, Sounguet GP, Wagner P, Witt MJ. Spatio-temporal variation in ocean current-driven hatchling dispersion: Implications for the world's largest leatherback sea turtle nesting region. DIVERS DISTRIB 2017. [DOI: 10.1111/ddi.12554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Scott
- GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel; Kiel Germany
| | - Arne Biastoch
- GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel; Kiel Germany
| | - Pierre D. Agamboue
- Wildlife Conservation Society; Global Conservation Program; New York NY USA
| | - Till Bayer
- GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel; Kiel Germany
| | | | - Angela Formia
- Wildlife Conservation Society; Global Conservation Program; New York NY USA
| | | | - Brice D. K. Mabert
- Centre Nationale des Données et de l'Information Océanographiques; Libreville Gabon
| | | | | | - Guy-Philippe Sounguet
- Aventures Sans Frontieres; Libreville Gabon
- Agence Nationale des Parcs Nationaux; Libreville Gabon
| | - Patrick Wagner
- GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel; Kiel Germany
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82
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Muñoz-Pérez JP, Lewbart GA, Hirschfeld M, Alarcón-Ruales D, Denkinger J, Castañeda JG, García J, Lohmann KJ. Blood gases, biochemistry and haematology of Galápagos hawksbill turtles ( Eretmochelys imbricata). CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2017; 5:cox028. [PMID: 28496982 PMCID: PMC5424066 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/cox028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2016] [Revised: 03/27/2017] [Accepted: 04/21/2017] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
The hawksbill turtle, Eretmochelys imbricata, is a marine chelonian with a circum-global distribution, but the species is critically endangered and has nearly vanished from the eastern Pacific. Although reference blood parameter intervals have been published for many chelonian species and populations, including nesting Atlantic hawksbills, no such baseline biochemical and blood gas values have been reported for wild Pacific hawksbill turtles. Blood samples were drawn from eight hawksbill turtles captured in near shore foraging locations within the Galápagos archipelago over a period of four sequential years; three of these turtles were recaptured and sampled on multiple occasions. Of the eight sea turtles sampled, five were immature and of unknown sex, and the other three were females. A portable blood analyzer was used to obtain near immediate field results for a suite of blood gas and chemistry parameters. Values affected by temperature were corrected in two ways: (i) with standard formulas and (ii) with auto-corrections made by the portable analyzer. A bench top blood chemistry analyzer was used to measure a series of biochemistry parameters from plasma. Standard laboratory haematology techniques were employed for red and white blood cell counts and to determine haematocrit manually, which was compared to the haematocrit values generated by the portable analyzer. The values reported in this study provide reference data that may be useful in comparisons among populations and in detecting changes in health status among Galápagos sea turtles. The findings might also be helpful in future efforts to demonstrate associations between specific biochemical parameters and disease or environmental disasters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Pablo Muñoz-Pérez
- Galapagos Science Center, University San Francisco de Quito, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, Galapagos, Ecuador
| | - Gregory A. Lewbart
- College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, 1060 William Moore Drive, Raleigh, NC 27601, USA
- Corresponding author:
| | - Maximilian Hirschfeld
- Galapagos Science Center, University San Francisco de Quito, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, Galapagos, Ecuador
| | - Daniela Alarcón-Ruales
- Galapagos Science Center, University San Francisco de Quito, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, Galapagos, Ecuador
| | - Judith Denkinger
- Galapagos Science Center, University San Francisco de Quito, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, Galapagos, Ecuador
| | - Jason Guillermo Castañeda
- Galapagos Science Center, University San Francisco de Quito, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, Galapagos, Ecuador
| | - Juan García
- Galapagos National Park Service, San Cristóbal, Galapagos, Ecuador
| | - Kenneth J. Lohmann
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina, Coker Hall, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, NC, USA
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83
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Rees AF, Alfaro-Shigueto J, Barata PCR, Bjorndal KA, Bolten AB, Bourjea J, Broderick AC, Campbell LM, Cardona L, Carreras C, Casale P, Ceriani SA, Dutton PH, Eguchi T, Formia A, Fuentes MMPB, Fuller WJ, Girondot M, Godfrey MH, Hamann M, Hart KM, Hays GC, Hochscheid S, Kaska Y, Jensen MP, Mangel JC, Mortimer JA, Naro-Maciel E, Ng CKY, Nichols WJ, Phillott AD, Reina RD, Revuelta O, Schofield G, Seminoff JA, Shanker K, Tomás J, van de Merwe JP, Van Houtan KS, Vander Zanden HB, Wallace BP, Wedemeyer-Strombel KR, Work TM, Godley BJ. Are we working towards global research priorities for management and conservation of sea turtles? ENDANGER SPECIES RES 2016. [DOI: 10.3354/esr00801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 175] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
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84
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Casale P, Freggi D, Paduano V, Oliverio M. Biases and best approaches for assessing debris ingestion in sea turtles, with a case study in the Mediterranean. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2016; 110:238-249. [PMID: 27321803 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2016.06.057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2016] [Revised: 05/27/2016] [Accepted: 06/13/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
In a sample of 567 loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) from the central Mediterranean, debris occurrence varied according to methods and turtle source, and was up to 80% in pelagic turtles. Frequencies of plastic types, size and color are also reported. These results and a critical review of 49 studies worldwide indicate that: (i) the detected occurrence of plastic (% turtles) is affected by several factors (e.g., necropsy/feces, ecological zone, type and date of finding, captivity period for feces collection), (ii) mixed dataset and opportunistic approaches provide results which are biased , not comparable, and ultimately of questionable value, (iii) only turtles assumed to have had a normal feeding behaviour at the time of capture or death should be considered, (iv) turtle foraging ecology and possible selectivity may undermine the use of turtles as indicator species for monitoring marine litter, as recently proposed for the Mediterranean.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Casale
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies "Charles Darwin", University of Rome "La Sapienza", viale dell'Università 32, 00185 Roma, Italy.
| | | | - Valentina Paduano
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies "Charles Darwin", University of Rome "La Sapienza", viale dell'Università 32, 00185 Roma, Italy.
| | - Marco Oliverio
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies "Charles Darwin", University of Rome "La Sapienza", viale dell'Università 32, 00185 Roma, Italy.
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85
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Ryan PG. Ingestion of Plastics by Marine Organisms. THE HANDBOOK OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/698_2016_21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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