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Athira TR, Aarif KM, Thomas JA, Alatawi AS, Muzaffar SB, Nefla A, Reshi OR, Jobiraj T, Thejass P. The threat of microplastics: Exploring pollution in coastal ecosystems and migratory shorebirds along the west coast of India. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 198:115912. [PMID: 38113815 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
To evaluate the exposure risk and ingestion of microplastics by migratory shorebirds, which are regarded as apex predators in the coastal ecosystem, this study investigated the ubiquitous presence of microplastics in estuarine and coastal habitats and their potential to be transferred in the food chains. We analysed the presence of microplastics in water, sediment, major macroinvertebrate prey and the guano samples of ten shorebird species from ten important wintering grounds in the west coast of India. Our results revealed that water is the primary source through which microplastics disseminate into various ecosystem components. Microplastic debris in various forms were reported in all samples analysed, with microfibres being the most abundant form. While polyethylene and polypropylene were found as the major microplastic types in water, sediment, and prey samples, polystyrene was most abundant in guano samples. Microplastic transfer and impacts in this delicate ecosystem demand further investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- T R Athira
- Department of Zoology, Government College, Madappally, Affiliated to University of Calicut, Kozhikode, 670 645, Kerala, India.
| | - K M Aarif
- Terrestrial Ecology, Centre for Environment and Marine Studies, Research & Innovation, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Jeniffer Ann Thomas
- Department of Zoology, Fatima Mata National College, Kollam, University of Kerala, 691001, India
| | - Abdulaziz S Alatawi
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Tabuk, Tabuk City, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sabir Bin Muzaffar
- Department of Biology, United Arab Emirates University, 15551, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates; Department of Science, The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, South Kensington, London SW7 5BD, UK
| | - Aymen Nefla
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar II, 2092, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Omer R Reshi
- Sustainability, Centre for Environment and Marine Studies, Research & Innovation, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, Dhahran, 31261, Saudi Arabia
| | - T Jobiraj
- Department of Zoology, Govt College, Kodanchery, Kozhikode, 673580, Affiliated to University of Calicut, Kerala, India
| | - P Thejass
- Department of Zoology, Government College, Madappally, Affiliated to University of Calicut, Kozhikode, 670 645, Kerala, India
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Charlton-Howard HS, Bond AL, Rivers-Auty J, Lavers JL. 'Plasticosis': Characterising macro- and microplastic-associated fibrosis in seabird tissues. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 450:131090. [PMID: 36867907 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.131090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Revised: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
As biota are increasingly exposed to plastic pollution, there is a need to closely examine the sub-lethal 'hidden' impacts of plastic ingestion. This emerging field of study has been limited to model species in controlled laboratory settings, with little data available for wild, free-living organisms. Highly impacted by plastic ingestion, Flesh-footed Shearwaters (Ardenna carneipes) are thus an apt species to examine these impacts in an environmentally relevant manner. A Masson's Trichrome stain was used to document any evidence of plastic-induced fibrosis, using collagen as a marker for scar tissue formation in the proventriculus (stomach) of 30 Flesh-footed Shearwater fledglings from Lord Howe Island, Australia. Plastic presence was highly associated with widespread scar tissue formation and extensive changes to, and even loss of, tissue structure within the mucosa and submucosa. Additionally, despite naturally occurring indigestible items, such as pumice, also being found in the gastrointestinal tract, this did not cause similar scarring. This highlights the unique pathological properties of plastics and raises concerns for other species impacted by plastic ingestion. Further, the extent and severity of fibrosis documented in this study gives support for a novel, plastic-induced fibrotic disease, which we define as 'Plasticosis,'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hayley S Charlton-Howard
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, 20 Castray Esplanade, Battery Point, Tasmania 7004, Australia
| | - Alexander L Bond
- Bird Group, The Natural History Museum, Akeman Street, Tring, Hertfordshire HP23 6AP, United Kingdom
| | - Jack Rivers-Auty
- Tasmanian School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, 17 Liverpool Street, Hobart, Tasmania 7000, Australia
| | - Jennifer L Lavers
- Bird Group, The Natural History Museum, Akeman Street, Tring, Hertfordshire HP23 6AP, United Kingdom; Gulbali Institute, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales 2678, Australia; Esperance Tjaltjraak Native Title Aboriginal Corporation, 11A Shelden Road, 6450 Esperance, Western Australia, Australia.
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Rivers-Auty J, Bond AL, Grant ML, Lavers JL. The one-two punch of plastic exposure: Macro- and micro-plastics induce multi-organ damage in seabirds. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 442:130117. [PMID: 36303350 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.130117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Revised: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 10/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Plastic pollution in the world's oceans is ubiquitous and increasing. The environment is inundated with microplastics (< 1 mm), and the health effects of these less conspicuous pollutants is poorly known. In addition, there is now evidence that macroplastics can release microplastics in the form of shedding or digestive fragmentation, meaning there is potential for macroplastic exposure to induce direct and indirect pathology through microplastics. Therefore, there is an urgent need for data from wild populations on the relationship between macro- and microplastic exposure and the potential compounding pathological effects of these forms of plastics. We investigated the presence and impact of microplastics in multiple tissues from Flesh-footed Shearwaters Ardenna carneipes, a species that ingests considerable quantities of plastics, and used histopathological techniques to measure physiological responses and inflammation from the plastics. All organs examined (kidney, spleen, proventriculus) had embedded microplastic particles and this correlated with macroplastic exposure. Considerable tissue damage was recorded, including a significant reduction in tubular glands and rugae in the proventriculus, and evidence of inflammation, fibrosis, and loss of organ structures in the kidney and spleen. This indicates macroplastics can induce damage directly at the site of exposure, while microplastics can be mobilised throughout the body causing widespread pathology. Collectively, these results indicate the scope and severity of the health impacts of plastic pollution may be grossly underestimated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jack Rivers-Auty
- Tasmanian School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7000, Australia
| | - Alexander L Bond
- Bird Group, The Natural History Museum, Tring, Hertfordshire HP23 6AP, United Kingdom
| | - Megan L Grant
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Newnham, TAS 7248, Australia
| | - Jennifer L Lavers
- Bird Group, The Natural History Museum, Tring, Hertfordshire HP23 6AP, United Kingdom; Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Battery Point, TAS 7004, Australia.
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