201
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Talley TS, Venuti N, Whelan R. Natural history matters: Plastics in estuarine fish and sediments at the mouth of an urban watershed. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0229777. [PMID: 32187189 PMCID: PMC7080253 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0229777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2019] [Accepted: 02/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The extent to which small plastics and potentially associated compounds are entering coastal food webs, especially in estuarine systems, is only beginning to be realized. This study examined an estuarine reach at the mouth of urbanized Chollas Creek in San Diego, California to determine: 1) the extent and magnitude of microplastics pollution in estuarine sediments and fish, 2) the extent and magnitude of SVOC contamination in estuarine fish, and 3) whether fish preferentially ingested certain types of microplastics, when compared with the microplastic composition of creekbed sediments. Surface sediments (0–5 cm depth) contained about 10,000 small plastic pieces per m2, consisting mostly (90%) of fibers, and hard and soft pieces. Nearly 25% of fish contained small plastics, but prevalence varied with size and between species. Of the 25 types of small plastics found in sediment, fish preferred about 10 types (distinct colors and forms). Several SVOCs, both water soluble and sediment-associated compounds, were found in the two species of fish tested. This study revealed that a species’ natural history may influence contamination levels, and warrants further study to better understand the pathways of plastics and associated contaminants into and throughout coastal food webs, and the potential health risks for small and/or low-trophic level organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theresa Sinicrope Talley
- California Sea Grant, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Nina Venuti
- California Sea Grant, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Rachel Whelan
- Environmental and Ocean Sciences, University of San Diego, San Diego, California, United States of America
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202
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Avio CG, Pittura L, d'Errico G, Abel S, Amorello S, Marino G, Gorbi S, Regoli F. Distribution and characterization of microplastic particles and textile microfibers in Adriatic food webs: General insights for biomonitoring strategies. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2020; 258:113766. [PMID: 31855672 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.113766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2019] [Revised: 12/05/2019] [Accepted: 12/07/2019] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
This study provided a comprehensive characterization on ingestion of different typologies of microplastics in several fish and invertebrate species from the Adriatic Sea, considered as a preferential area of plastic accumulation in the Mediterranean. Almost 500 organisms were sampled in the three sectors of Northern, Central and Southern Adriatic, testing the hypothesis that area of collection, habitat and feeding strategy might influence the occurrence of plastic particles in biota. In this study, the overall characterization considered separately plastic microparticles (MPs) from textile microfibers (MFs) which also included natural and semi-synthetic ones. Ingestion of MPs was a widespread phenomenon, but their number (typically 1 or 2) did not reveal any significant relationship with biometric values, geographical areas or ecological features of the species. Conversely, the frequency of ingestion, ranging from 13 to 35% of organisms containing MPs, appeared a more reliable index to highlight such differences, revealing higher values in species from Central and Southern basins compared to the Northern one, as well as in benthopelagic compared to benthic or pelagic organisms. Geographical differences also occurred in terms of size and typology of ingested particles, suggesting the importance of local river runoffs and surface currents dynamics. Textile microfibers (MFs) were also abundant in Adriatic food webs occurring in all the analyzed species with average numbers (3-10) and frequencies (40-70%) higher than those reported for MPs; further, an elevated percentage of MFs (>80%) was of natural or semi-synthetic origin. Overall, this study provided general insights toward the harmonization of a common biomonitoring strategy, as in the context of MSFD, including the suggestion of a frequency-based index and of a multi-species approach to increase the ecological relevance of assessment, as well as the comparability between different areas and trophic webs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Giacomo Avio
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Lucia Pittura
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Giuseppe d'Errico
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Serena Abel
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Sonia Amorello
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Gianmarco Marino
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Stefania Gorbi
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Francesco Regoli
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy.
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203
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Marine Litter in Transitional Water Ecosystems: State of The Art Review Based on a Bibliometric Analysis. WATER 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/w12020612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Transitional water ecosystems (TWEs), despite their ecological and economic importance, are largely affected by human pressures that could be responsible for significant inputs of litter in the marine environment. Plastic input in coastal ponds, lagoons, river deltas and estuaries, could be driven by a wide range of human activities such as agriculture, waste disposal, municipal and industrial wastewater effluents, aquaculture, fishing and touristic activities and urban impacts. However, it remains unknown what the impact of plastic input in these TWEs could have on natural capital and, therefore, the ability for an ecosystem to provide goods and services to human beings. Given the large interest with regards to the conservation of transitional water ecosystems and the clear exposure risk to plastic and microplastic pollution, this study aims to perform: (i) a bibliometric analyses on existing literature regarding the levels of marine litter in such environments; (ii) a selection among the available literature of homogeneous data; and (iii) statistical analyses to explore data variability. Results suggest that: (i) research on microplastics in these ecosystems did not begin to be published until 2013 for lagoons, 2014 for river mouths and 2019 for coastal ponds. The majority of articles published on studies of microplastics in lagoons did not occur until 2019; (ii) sediments represent the matrix on which sampling and extraction variability allow the statistical analyses on data reported by the literature; (iii) the Analysis of Similarities (ANOSIM) test two-way evidenced that the level of protection of marine and terrestrial areas produced similar values while the habitat type showed low significance in terms of its effect on microplastic levels, shape and size in sediments.
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204
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Barría C, Brandts I, Tort L, Oliveira M, Teles M. Effect of nanoplastics on fish health and performance: A review. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2020; 151:110791. [PMID: 32056587 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2019.110791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2019] [Revised: 11/26/2019] [Accepted: 11/27/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Small plastic particles are considered emerging pollutants, and this has motivated a considerable number of studies to establish their environmental consequences. At present, the study of the effects of nanoplastics (NPs) on aquatic organisms is still scarce, especially in organisms from higher trophic levels such as fish. This review describes the effects reported in different fish species after exposure to plastic particles smaller than 100 nm. Studies show that NPs can adversely affect fish at different stages of development, with reported accumulation in tissues, decreased locomotor and foraging activities, effects on growth and the immune system and alterations on lipid metabolism and neurotoxicity. However, mortality, effects on hatching success or malformations related to NPs have not been reported to this date.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila Barría
- Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Irene Brandts
- Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Lluís Tort
- Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Miguel Oliveira
- Department of Biology & CESAM, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
| | - Mariana Teles
- Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Barcelona, Spain.
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205
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Van Colen C, Vanhove B, Diem A, Moens T. Does microplastic ingestion by zooplankton affect predator-prey interactions? An experimental study on larviphagy. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2020; 256:113479. [PMID: 31679869 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.113479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2019] [Revised: 10/14/2019] [Accepted: 10/22/2019] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Litter is omnipresent in the ocean where it can be ingested by marine biota. Although ingestion of microplastics (MPs) is abundantly reported, insights into how MP can influence predator-prey interactions currently limits our understanding of the ecological impact of MPs. Here we demonstrate trophic transfer of MPs from zooplankton to benthic filter feeders, through consumption of contaminated prey (i.e. prey with ingested MP). However, predation rates of contaminated prey were significantly lower as compared to predation rates of prey that had no MPs ingested. As filter feeder clearance rates were not affected by consumption of MPs, the lower predation rates of contaminated prey appear to be primarily explained by disruption in zooplankton swimming behaviour that reduces their filtration risk. This is the first study that shows how MPs can change predator-prey interactions that are involved in the coupling between the pelagic and seabed habitat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carl Van Colen
- Ghent University, Biology Department, Marine Biology Research Group, Krijgslaan 281 - S8, B 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Brecht Vanhove
- Ghent University, Biology Department, Marine Biology Research Group, Krijgslaan 281 - S8, B 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Anna Diem
- Ghent University, Biology Department, Marine Biology Research Group, Krijgslaan 281 - S8, B 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Tom Moens
- Ghent University, Biology Department, Marine Biology Research Group, Krijgslaan 281 - S8, B 9000 Ghent, Belgium
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206
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Capillo G, Savoca S, Panarello G, Mancuso M, Branca C, Romano V, D'Angelo G, Bottari T, Spanò N. Quali-quantitative analysis of plastics and synthetic microfibers found in demersal species from Southern Tyrrhenian Sea (Central Mediterranean). MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2020; 150:110596. [PMID: 31733904 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2019.110596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2019] [Revised: 09/10/2019] [Accepted: 09/11/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
This study highlights plastics occurrence in five demersal fish species from the Southern Tyrrhenian Sea: the Red mullet Mullus barbatus barbatus, the Piper gurnard Trigla lyra, the Blackmouth catshark Galeus melastomus, the Lesser spotted dogfish Scyliorhinus canicula and the Brown ray Raja miraletus. Overall, 125 fish were examined: 21 Red mullets, 16 Piper gurnards, 75 Blackmouth catsharks, 72 Dogfish and 1 Brown ray. The percentage of fish with ingested plastics was 14.4% with 0.24 items per specimen. The majority of the debris were fibers and the application of infrared and Raman spectroscopy allowed the identification and discrimination of plastic and non-plastic fibers. The plastic debris isolated were mainly microplastics (94.1%), while macroplastics occurrence was very low (5.9%). The plastics were identified as polypropylene, Teflon, nylon, kraton G (triblock copolymer) and polyethylene. Also cellulose was detected. S. canicula was the species with the highest number of plastic pollutants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gioele Capillo
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno D'Alcontres 31, 98166, Messina, Italy
| | - Serena Savoca
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno D'Alcontres 31, 98166, Messina, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Panarello
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno D'Alcontres 31, 98166, Messina, Italy
| | - Monique Mancuso
- Institute for Marine Biological Resources and Biotechnology (IRBIM), National Research Council (CNR), Section of Messina, Spianata S. Raineri, 86, 98122, Messina, Italy; StazioneZoologica Anton Dohrn, Centro Interdipartimentale della Sicilia, Italy
| | - Caterina Branca
- Department of Mathematical and Computational Sciences, Physical Science and Earth Science, Messina University, Viale Ferdinando Stagno D'Alcontres 31, 98166, Messina, Italy
| | - Valentino Romano
- Department of Mathematical and Computational Sciences, Physical Science and Earth Science, Messina University, Viale Ferdinando Stagno D'Alcontres 31, 98166, Messina, Italy
| | - Giovanna D'Angelo
- Department of Mathematical and Computational Sciences, Physical Science and Earth Science, Messina University, Viale Ferdinando Stagno D'Alcontres 31, 98166, Messina, Italy; CNR-IPCF, Viale Ferdinando Stagno d'Alcontres 37, 98158, Messina, Italy.
| | - Teresa Bottari
- Institute for Marine Biological Resources and Biotechnology (IRBIM), National Research Council (CNR), Section of Messina, Spianata S. Raineri, 86, 98122, Messina, Italy; StazioneZoologica Anton Dohrn, Centro Interdipartimentale della Sicilia, Italy
| | - Nunziacarla Spanò
- Department of Biomedical, Dental and Morphological and Functional Imaging University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria, Messina, Italy.
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207
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Brentano R, Petry MV. Marine debris ingestion and human impacts on the Pygmy sperm whale (Kogia breviceps) in southern Brazil. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2020; 150:110595. [PMID: 31669712 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2019.110595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2019] [Revised: 09/10/2019] [Accepted: 09/11/2019] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Pygmy sperm whales, Kogia breviceps (Kogiidae), are a small cetacean that inhabits Mesopelagic regions near the continental shelf. In this study we present record of plastic ingestion by K. breviceps in Brazil. In August 2010 on the coast of Rio Grande do Sul, a carcass was found showing evidences of interaction with fishing nets. The stomach content was collected for the analysis of food items, but the presence of four plastics weighing 55.9 g was found. In addition, the analysis of food items revealed the presence of the fish Merluccius hubbsi, which is an intensely explored species by fisheries activities in southern Brazil. Merluccius sp. is common in the diet of K. breviceps in several regions of the planet. This work shows that in southern Brazil, K. breviceps suffers intense impact of both ingestion of anthropic material and fisheries, and so must be closely monitored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renata Brentano
- Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos - UNISINOS, Avenida Unisinos, 950, Bairro Cristo Rei, São Leopoldo, 93.022-750, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
| | - Maria Virginia Petry
- Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos - UNISINOS, Avenida Unisinos, 950, Bairro Cristo Rei, São Leopoldo, 93.022-750, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
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208
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Kawamura K, Oguri K, Toyofuku T, Radakovitch O, Fontanier C, Sasaki K, Fujii M, Murayama M. Tsunami-triggered dispersal and deposition of microplastics in marine environments and their use in dating recent turbidite deposits. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019. [DOI: 10.1144/sp501-2019-45] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
AbstractMicroplastics have become widely dispersed throughout the marine environment in and around Japan since the 1960s, which corresponds to the onset of mass plastic production and use in this country. Our study documents a possible abrupt microplastic depositional event in continental shelf and deep-sea environments triggered by a tsunami. The sediment layers contaminated by microplastics correspond with sedimentary horizons where 137Cs signals were measured, indicating deposition after 1960s nuclear tests. The microplastics were observed in the 2011 Tohoku-Oki tsunami deposits. Tsunamis can thus contribute to the wide dispersal of microplastics from coastal to deep-sea areas, and these anthropogenic particles can be used to date very recent turbidite deposits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiichiro Kawamura
- Graduate School of Science and Technology for Innovation, Yamaguchi University, 1677-1 Yoshida, Yamaguchi City, Yamaguchi 753-8512, Japan
| | - Kazumasa Oguri
- Japan Agency for Marine Science and Technology, 2-15 Natsushima, Yokosuka, Kanagawa 237-0046, Japan
| | - Takashi Toyofuku
- Japan Agency for Marine Science and Technology, 2-15 Natsushima, Yokosuka, Kanagawa 237-0046, Japan
- Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology (TUMSAT), 4-5-7, Konan Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Olivier Radakovitch
- CNRS/IRD/INRA/College de France, CEREGE, Aix Marseille University, Europole Arbois, BP 80, 13545 Aix-en-Provence, France
- IRSN, PSE/SRTE/LRTA, Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire, 13115 Saint-Paul-lez-Durance, France
| | - Christophe Fontanier
- FORAM Research Group, 49140 Villevêque, France
- EPOC, Environnements et Paléo-environnements Océaniques et Continentaux, UMR 5805, University of Bordeaux, F33615 Pessac, France
- University of Angers, 2 Boulevard Lavoisier, 49045 Angers, France
| | - Kenta Sasaki
- Graduate School of Science and Technology for Innovation, Yamaguchi University, 1677-1 Yoshida, Yamaguchi City, Yamaguchi 753-8512, Japan
| | - Minami Fujii
- Aratani Civil Engineering Consultants co., ltd, 1-25-5 Ebanishi, Naka-ku, Hiroshima City, Hiroshima 730-0831, Japan
| | - Masafumi Murayama
- Centre for Advanced Marine Core Research, Kochi University, 200 Monobe Otsu, Nankoku, Kochi 783-8502, Japan
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209
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Cau A, Avio CG, Dessì C, Follesa MC, Moccia D, Regoli F, Pusceddu A. Microplastics in the crustaceans Nephrops norvegicus and Aristeus antennatus: Flagship species for deep-sea environments? ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2019; 255:113107. [PMID: 31671310 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.113107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2019] [Revised: 08/20/2019] [Accepted: 08/23/2019] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Ingestion of microplastics (MPs) has been documented in several marine organisms, but their occurrence in deep-sea species remains almost unknown. In this study, MPs were investigated in two economically and ecologically key crustaceans of the Mediterranean Sea, the Norwegian lobster Nephrops norvegicus and the shrimp Aristeus antennatus. Both the species were collected from 14 sites around Sardinia Island, at depths comprised between 270 and 660 m. A total of 89 and 63 stomachs were analysed for N. norvegicus and A. antennatus respectively, and more than 2000 MPs-like particles were extracted and sorted for identification and characterization by μFT-IR. In N. norvegicus, 83% of the specimens contained MPs, with an average abundance of 5.5 ± 0.8 MPs individual-1, while A. antennatus showed a lower frequency of ingestion (67%) and a lower mean number of MPs (1.66 ± 0.1 MPs individual-1). Composition and size of particles differed significantly between the two species. The non-selective feeding strategy of N. norvegicus could explain the 3-5 folds higher numbers of MPs in its stomach, which were mostly composed of films and fragments derived by polyethylene and polypropylene single-use plastic items. Contrarily, most MPs in the stomachs of A. antennatus were polyester filaments. The MPs abundance observed in N. norvegicus is among the highest detected in Mediterranean species considering both fish and invertebrates species, and provides novel insights on MPs bioavailability in deep-sea habitats. The overall results suggest that both N. norvegicus and A. antennatus, easily available in common fishery markets, could be valuable bioindicators and flagship species for plastic contamination in the deep-sea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Cau
- Università degli Studi di Cagliari, Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, Via Tommaso Fiorelli 1, 09126, Cagliari, Italy; Consorzio Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare, CoNISMa, ULR Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.
| | - Carlo Giacomo Avio
- Università Politecnica delle Marche, Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, Via Brecce Bianche, 60131, Ancona, Italy; Consorzio Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare, CoNISMa, ULR Ancona, Ancona, Italy
| | - Claudia Dessì
- Università degli Studi di Cagliari, Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, Via Tommaso Fiorelli 1, 09126, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Maria Cristina Follesa
- Università degli Studi di Cagliari, Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, Via Tommaso Fiorelli 1, 09126, Cagliari, Italy; Consorzio Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare, CoNISMa, ULR Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Davide Moccia
- Università degli Studi di Cagliari, Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, Via Tommaso Fiorelli 1, 09126, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Francesco Regoli
- Università Politecnica delle Marche, Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, Via Brecce Bianche, 60131, Ancona, Italy; Consorzio Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare, CoNISMa, ULR Ancona, Ancona, Italy
| | - Antonio Pusceddu
- Università degli Studi di Cagliari, Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, Via Tommaso Fiorelli 1, 09126, Cagliari, Italy; Consorzio Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare, CoNISMa, ULR Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
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210
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Brignac KC, Jung MR, King C, Royer SJ, Blickley L, Lamson MR, Potemra JT, Lynch JM. Marine Debris Polymers on Main Hawaiian Island Beaches, Sea Surface, and Seafloor. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2019; 53:12218-12226. [PMID: 31595747 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.9b03561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Polymeric differences of plastic debris were assessed across four compartments of the Main Hawaiian Islands (sea surface, windward beaches, leeward beaches, and seafloor) to better describe sources and fate. Plastic debris pieces (n = 4671) were collected from 11 beaches, three sea surface tows, and three seafloor dives. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy identified the polymers of 3551 pieces. Significant differences (p < 0.05) in concentration, types, polymer composition, and weathering were found among four compartments. Windward beaches had 1-2 orders of magnitude more plastic pollution (g/m2) than leeward beaches, despite smaller human populations on windward sides. Sea surface and windward beaches were dominated by severely weathered, less dense floating polymers (polyethylene and polypropylene comprised 92.7 and 93.5% on average, respectively, of the total debris mass), while leeward beaches and the seafloor debris consisted of less weathered and more dense sinking polymers (e.g., 41.0 and 44.7% of total mass consisted of the sum of polystyrene, nylon, cellulose acetate, polyethylene terephthalate, and additive-masked debris). These results are some of the first to provide evidence of polymeric stratification in the marine environment and emphasize that the majority of marine debris in Hawaii is floating in from distant sources rather than from Hawaii's residents or tourists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kayla C Brignac
- Center for Marine Debris Research , Hawaii Pacific University , Waimanalo 96795 , Hawaii , United States
| | - Melissa R Jung
- Center for Marine Debris Research , Hawaii Pacific University , Waimanalo 96795 , Hawaii , United States
| | - Cheryl King
- Sharkastics , Kihei 96753 , Hawaii , United States
| | | | | | - Megan R Lamson
- Hawaii Wildlife Fund , Volcano 96785 , Hawaii , United States
| | | | - Jennifer M Lynch
- Center for Marine Debris Research , Hawaii Pacific University , Waimanalo 96795 , Hawaii , United States
- Chemical Sciences Division , National Institute of Standards and Technology , Waimanalo 96795 , Hawaii , United States
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211
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Lenaker PL, Baldwin AK, Corsi SR, Mason SA, Reneau PC, Scott JW. Vertical Distribution of Microplastics in the Water Column and Surficial Sediment from the Milwaukee River Basin to Lake Michigan. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2019; 53:12227-12237. [PMID: 31618011 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.9b03850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 180] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Microplastic contamination was studied along a freshwater continuum from inland streams to the Milwaukee River estuary to Lake Michigan and vertically from the water surface, water subsurface, and sediment. Microplastics were detected in all 96 water samples and 9 sediment samples collected. Results indicated a gradient of polymer presence with depth: low-density particles decreased from the water surface to the subsurface to sediment, and high-density particles had the opposite result. Polymer identification results indicated that water surface and subsurface samples were dominated by low-density polypropylene particles, and sediment samples were dominated by more dense polyethylene terephthalate particles. Of the five particle-type categories (fragments, films, foams, pellets/beads, and fibers/lines), fibers/lines were the most common particle-type and were present in every water and sediment sample collected. Fibers represented 45% of all particles in water samples and were distributed vertically throughout the water column regardless of density. Sediment samples were dominated by black foams (66%, identified as styrene-butadiene rubber) and to a lesser extent fibers/lines (29%) with approximately 89% of all of the sediment particles coming from polymers with densities greater than 1.1 g cm-3. Results demonstrated that polymer density influenced partitioning between the water surface and subsurface and the underlying surficial sediment and the common practice of sampling only the water surface can result in substantial bias, especially in estuarine, harbor, and lake locations where water surface concentrations tend to overestimate mean water column concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter L Lenaker
- Upper Midwest Water Science Center , U.S. Geological Survey , 8505 Research Way , Middleton , Wisconsin 53562 , United States
| | - Austin K Baldwin
- Idaho Water Science Center , U.S. Geological Survey , 230 Collins Road , Boise , Idaho 83702 , United States
| | - Steven R Corsi
- Upper Midwest Water Science Center , U.S. Geological Survey , 8505 Research Way , Middleton , Wisconsin 53562 , United States
| | - Sherri A Mason
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry , State University of New York at Fredonia , 280 Central Avenue, Science Complex 340 , Fredonia , New York 14063 , United States
| | - Paul C Reneau
- Upper Midwest Water Science Center , U.S. Geological Survey , 8505 Research Way , Middleton , Wisconsin 53562 , United States
| | - John W Scott
- Illinois Sustainable Technology Center/Prairie Research Institute , University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign , One Hazelwood Road , Champaign , Illinois 61820 , United States
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Mouchi V, Chapron L, Peru E, Pruski AM, Meistertzheim AL, Vétion G, Galand PE, Lartaud F. Long-term aquaria study suggests species-specific responses of two cold-water corals to macro-and microplastics exposure. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2019; 253:322-329. [PMID: 31323615 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.07.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2019] [Revised: 07/04/2019] [Accepted: 07/04/2019] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Plastic pollution has been identified as a major threat for coastal marine life and ecosystems. Here, we test if the feeding behaviour and growth rate of the two most common cold-water coral species, Lophelia pertusa and Madrepora oculata, are affected by micro- or macroplastic exposures. Low-density polyethylene microplastics impair prey capture and growth rates of L. pertusa after five months of exposure. Macroplastic films, mimicking plastic bags trapped on deep-sea reefs, had however a limited impact on L. pertusa growth. This was due to an avoidance behaviour illustrated by the formation of skeletal 'caps' that changed the polyp orientation and allowed its access to food supply. On the contrary, M. oculata growth and feeding were not affected by plastic exposure. Such a species-specific response has the potential to induce a severe change in coral community composition and the associated biodiversity in deep-sea environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Mouchi
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Laboratoire d'Ecogéochimie des Environnements Benthiques, LECOB, F-66650, Banyuls, France.
| | - Leila Chapron
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Laboratoire d'Ecogéochimie des Environnements Benthiques, LECOB, F-66650, Banyuls, France
| | - Erwan Peru
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Laboratoire d'Ecogéochimie des Environnements Benthiques, LECOB, F-66650, Banyuls, France
| | - Audrey M Pruski
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Laboratoire d'Ecogéochimie des Environnements Benthiques, LECOB, F-66650, Banyuls, France
| | - Anne-Leila Meistertzheim
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Laboratoire d'Océanographie Microbienne, LOMIC, F-66650, Banyuls, France; Plastic@Sea, Laboratoire d'Océanographie Microbienne, LOMIC, F-66650, Banyuls, France
| | - Gilles Vétion
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Laboratoire d'Ecogéochimie des Environnements Benthiques, LECOB, F-66650, Banyuls, France
| | - Pierre E Galand
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Laboratoire d'Ecogéochimie des Environnements Benthiques, LECOB, F-66650, Banyuls, France
| | - Franck Lartaud
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Laboratoire d'Ecogéochimie des Environnements Benthiques, LECOB, F-66650, Banyuls, France
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213
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Abstract
Plastic packaging accounts for 36% of all plastics made, but amounts to 47% of all plastic waste; 90% of all plastic items are used once and then discarded, which corresponds to around 50% of the total mass of plastics manufactured. Evidence for the ubiquity of microplastic pollution is accumulating rapidly, and wherever such material is sought, it seems to be found. Thus, microplastics have been identified in Arctic ice, the air, food and drinking water, soils, rivers, aquifers, remote maintain regions, glaciers, the oceans and ocean sediments, including waters and deep sea sediments around Antarctica, and within the deepest marine trenches of the Earth. They have also been detected in the bodies of animals, including humans, and as being passed along the hierarchy of food chains, up to marine top predators. Evidence has also been presented that microplastics are able to cross different life stages of mosquito that use different habitats - larva (feeding) to pupa (non-feeding) to adult terrestrial (flying) - and therefore can be spread from aquatic systems by flying insects. The so-called 'missing plastic problem' appears to be, in part, due to limitations in sampling methods, that is, many of the very small microplastic particles may simply escape capture in the trawl nets that are typically employed to collect them, but have been evidenced in grab-sampling experiments. Moreover, it is simply not possible to measure entirely through the vast, oceanic volumes of the oceans. It can, however, be concluded with some confidence that the majority of the plastic is not located at the sea surface, and indeed, several different sinks have been proposed for microplastics, including the sea floor and sediments, the ocean column itself, ice sheets, glaciers and soils. The treatment of land with sewage sludge is also thought to make a significant contribution of microplastics to soil. A substantial amount of airborne microparticulate pollution is created by the abrasion of tyres on road surfaces (and other 'non-exhaust' sources), meaning that even electric vehicles are not 'clean' in this regard, despite their elimination of tailpipe PM2.5 and PM10 emissions. The emergence of nanoplastics in the environment poses a new set of potential threats, although any impacts on human health are not yet known, save, as indicated from model studies. While improved design, manufacture, collection, reuse, repurposing and reprocessing/recycling of plastic items are necessary, overwhelmingly, a curbing in the use of plastic materials in the first place is demanded, particularly from single-use packaging. However, plastic pollution is just one element in the overall matrix of a changing climate ('the world's woes') and must be addressed as part of an integrated consideration of how we use all resources, fossil and otherwise, and the need to change our expectations, goals and lifestyles. In this effort, the role of deglobalisation/relocalisation may prove critical: thus, food and other necessities might be produced more on the local than the global scale, with smaller inputs of fossil fuels for transportation and other purposes, water and fertilisers, along with a marked reduction in the need for plastic packaging.
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214
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Yurtsever M. Tiny, shiny, and colorful microplastics: Are regular glitters a significant source of microplastics? MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2019; 146:678-682. [PMID: 31426209 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2019.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2019] [Revised: 07/03/2019] [Accepted: 07/04/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Used in significant volumes in make-up, craft activities, and -more recently- in textile products, glitters are among single-use plastics, and are often made of polyethylene terephthalate. Even though a wealth of studies focus on the sources of microplastics in the environment and biota, glitters produced in various countries, and used extensively in entertainment events, shows and carnivals around the globe, not to mention by virtually anyone in daily life settings, have been relatively ignored as a major source of microplastics. That is why the present study focuses specifically on plastic glitters, and attempts to track them in the environment, in a manner comparable to their use in forensic science where glitters are often used as trace evidence associating a suspect with a specific murder case. Doing so led to various pieces of evidence of the presence of glitters -arguably a stealthy source of microplastics - in samples taken from the environment at a wide range of locations around the world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meral Yurtsever
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Sakarya University, 54187, Sakarya, Turkey.
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