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Martynova A, Rodrigue M, Pieribone V, Qurban M, Duarte CM. Density and distribution patterns of seafloor macrolitter in the eastern Red Sea. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 953:176042. [PMID: 39244039 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.176042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2024] [Revised: 09/02/2024] [Accepted: 09/03/2024] [Indexed: 09/09/2024]
Abstract
The constant production of plastic and incessant growth of waste pollution continues to alter the marine environment from the coasts and surface waters to the deep sea. The quantification and investigation of macrolitter on the vast seabed of the ocean are challenging tasks that must be undertaken to elucidate the impact of anthropogenic activity on the marine environment and facilitate subsequent implementation of legally binding waste management regulations. In this study, we analyzed >60,000 images collected during 84 dives surveying 62.1 km of seabed in the eastern Red Sea to quantify the abundance and density of seafloor macrolitter. The surveyed depth of the seabed varied between 35 and 2415 m, and litter was observed at depths ranging from 93 to 2415 m. The litter density varied between 0 and 73,798 items km-2, with the mean (± SE) and median densities of 4069 ± 1188 and 1371 items km-2, respectively. Plastic was the main litter category, comprising 46 % of all litter. The density of litter was higher at deeper depths (>1400 m) and increased significantly at distances farther from the shore. The results of this study suggest that maritime traffic and the possible direct litter discharge from vessels are the main anthropogenic sources of seafloor litter in the eastern Red Sea. Thus, we emphasize the urgency of conservation efforts and strict waste regulations to preserve the marine ecosystem of the Red Sea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasiia Martynova
- Marine Science Program, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia.
| | | | | | | | - Carlos M Duarte
- Marine Science Program, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
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2
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Duncan EM, Vieira N, González-Irusta JM, Dominguez-Carrió C, Morato T, Carreiro-Silva M, Jakobsen J, Jakobsen K, Porteiro F, Schläpfer N, Herrera L, Ramos M, Rodríguez Y, Pereira JM, Fauconnet L, Rodrigues L, Parra H, Pham CK. Predicting the distribution and abundance of abandoned, lost or discarded fishing gear (ALDFG) in the deep sea of the Azores (North Atlantic). THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 900:166579. [PMID: 37652373 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
Abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing gear (ALDFG), represents a significant percentage of the global plastic pollution, currently considered one of the major sources from sea-based activities. However, there is still limited understanding of the quantities of ALDFG present on the seafloor and their impacts. In this study, data on the presence of ALDFG was obtained from a large archive of seafloor video footage (351 dives) collected by different imaging platforms in the Azores region over 15 years (2006-2020). Most ALDFG items observed in the images relate to the local bottom longline fishery operating in the region, and include longlines but also anchors, weights, cables and buoys. A generalized additive mixed model (GAMM) was used to predict the distribution and abundance of ALDFG over the seafloor within the limits of the Azores Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) using a suite of environmental and anthropogenic variables. We estimated an average of 113 ± 310 items km-2 (597 ± 756 per km-2 above 1000 m depth), which could imply that over 20 million ALDFG items are present on the deep seafloor of the Azores EEZ. The resulting model identified potential hotspots of ALDFG along the seabed, some of them located over sensitive benthic habitats, such as specific seamounts. In addition, the interactions between ALDFG and benthic organisms were also analysed. Numerous entanglements were observed with several species of large anthozoans and sponges. The use of predictive distribution modelling for ALDFG should be regarded as a useful tool to support ecosystem-based management, which can provide indirect information about fishing pressure and allow the identification of potential high-risk areas. Additional knowledge about the sources, amounts, fates and impacts of ALDFG will be key to address the global issue of plastic pollution and the effects of fishing on marine ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily M Duncan
- Instituto de Investigação em Ciências do Mar - OKEANOS, Universidade dos Açores, Horta, Portugal
| | - Nina Vieira
- Instituto de Investigação em Ciências do Mar - OKEANOS, Universidade dos Açores, Horta, Portugal
| | | | - Carlos Dominguez-Carrió
- Instituto de Investigação em Ciências do Mar - OKEANOS, Universidade dos Açores, Horta, Portugal; IMAR Instituto do Mar, Universidade dos Açores, Horta, Portugal
| | - Telmo Morato
- Instituto de Investigação em Ciências do Mar - OKEANOS, Universidade dos Açores, Horta, Portugal; IMAR Instituto do Mar, Universidade dos Açores, Horta, Portugal
| | - Marina Carreiro-Silva
- Instituto de Investigação em Ciências do Mar - OKEANOS, Universidade dos Açores, Horta, Portugal; IMAR Instituto do Mar, Universidade dos Açores, Horta, Portugal
| | | | | | - Filipe Porteiro
- Instituto de Investigação em Ciências do Mar - OKEANOS, Universidade dos Açores, Horta, Portugal
| | - Nina Schläpfer
- Instituto de Investigação em Ciências do Mar - OKEANOS, Universidade dos Açores, Horta, Portugal
| | - Laura Herrera
- Instituto de Investigação em Ciências do Mar - OKEANOS, Universidade dos Açores, Horta, Portugal
| | - Manuela Ramos
- Instituto de Investigação em Ciências do Mar - OKEANOS, Universidade dos Açores, Horta, Portugal; IMAR Instituto do Mar, Universidade dos Açores, Horta, Portugal
| | - Yasmina Rodríguez
- Instituto de Investigação em Ciências do Mar - OKEANOS, Universidade dos Açores, Horta, Portugal
| | - João M Pereira
- Instituto de Investigação em Ciências do Mar - OKEANOS, Universidade dos Açores, Horta, Portugal
| | - Laurence Fauconnet
- Instituto de Investigação em Ciências do Mar - OKEANOS, Universidade dos Açores, Horta, Portugal
| | - Luís Rodrigues
- Instituto de Investigação em Ciências do Mar - OKEANOS, Universidade dos Açores, Horta, Portugal; IMAR Instituto do Mar, Universidade dos Açores, Horta, Portugal
| | - Hugo Parra
- Instituto de Investigação em Ciências do Mar - OKEANOS, Universidade dos Açores, Horta, Portugal
| | - Christopher K Pham
- Instituto de Investigação em Ciências do Mar - OKEANOS, Universidade dos Açores, Horta, Portugal.
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Higueruelo A, Santín A, Salazar J, Ambroso S, Soler-Membrives A, Grinyó J. Coexistence of megabenthic assemblages and artisanal fishers: The case of Cap de Creus Marine Protected Area (North-Western Mediterranean Sea). MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 192:106211. [PMID: 37801780 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2023.106211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/08/2023]
Abstract
Artisanal fisheries, although considered less harmful, can still endanger marine ecosystems, especially in areas with long-standing tradition. In Cap de Creus, where artisanal fisheries has likely occurred for centuries, the status of benthic communities in fishing grounds was poorly understood. Through collaboration with local fishers, the benthic assemblages in three artisanal fishing grounds within Cap de Creus Marine Protected Area (MPA) were studied. Using video transects recorded by a remotely operated vehicle (ROV), the diversity and distribution of species were analysed in relation to substrate type, slope, and depth. The study also assessed the impacts on these communities by examining marine litter, lost fishing gear, and the condition of gorgonian populations. The findings identified three megabenthic assemblages and revealed higher fishing pressure and impact in the Maça d'Oros area, likely due to multiple fishing guilds converging. However, the study demonstrated lower impact in MPAs compared to unprotected Mediterranean areas, highlighting the importance of coastal management.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Higueruelo
- Departament de Biologia Animal, de Biologia Vegetal i d'Ecologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola Del Vallès, 08193, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - A Santín
- Institut de Ciències Del Mar (ICM-CSIC), Passeig Marítim de La Barceloneta, 37-49, 08003, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; CIIMAR - Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Matosinhos, Portugal
| | - J Salazar
- Institut de Ciències Del Mar (ICM-CSIC), Passeig Marítim de La Barceloneta, 37-49, 08003, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; Programa de Ciències Del Mar, Facultat de Ciències de La Terra, Universitat de Barcelona, Av. Diagonal, 643, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - S Ambroso
- Departament de Biologia Evolutiva, Ecologia I Ciències Ambientals, Universitat de Barcelona, Av. Diagonal, 643, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - A Soler-Membrives
- Departament de Biologia Animal, de Biologia Vegetal i d'Ecologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola Del Vallès, 08193, Barcelona, Spain
| | - J Grinyó
- Department of Ocean Systems, Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ), Den Burg, Netherlands
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4
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Cau A, Gorule PA, Bellodi A, Carreras-Colom E, Moccia D, Pittura L, Regoli F, Follesa MC. Comparative microplastic load in two decapod crustaceans Palinurus elephas (Fabricius, 1787) and Nephrops norvegicus (Linnaeus, 1758). MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 191:114912. [PMID: 37080020 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.114912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
The present work compares microplastics (MPs) contamination in two charismatic crustaceans: European spiny lobster Palinurus elephas and langoustine Nephrops norvegicus. Samples (P. elephas n = 14; N. norvegicus n = 15) were collected between 76 and 592 m depth, from four sites in west Sardinia, Italy. An extraction protocol was applied on stomachs and intestines, separately, and over 500 particles were further characterized through μFT-IR. We document 100 % occurrence in specimens from both species, with P. elephas being significantly more contaminated (9.1 ± 1.75 vs. 3.2 ± 0.45 MPs individual-1), ingesting larger MPs with different polymeric composition. The scavenging-based feeding strategy of both species could explain such exposure to MPs, mostly derived by single-use plastic. The overall results highlight that both species are clearly affected by plastic pollution, being valuable bioindicators and charismatic species that could thus represent excellent flagship species for raising awareness toward the global issue of plastic in the marine environment.
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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.
| | - Pankaj A Gorule
- Università degli Studi di Cagliari, Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, Via Tommaso Fiorelli 1, 09126 Cagliari, Italy
| | - Andrea Bellodi
- 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
| | - Ester Carreras-Colom
- Departament de Biologia Animal, Biologia Vegetal i Ecologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Davide Moccia
- 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
| | - Lucia Pittura
- Università Politecnica delle Marche, Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, Via Brecce Bianche, 60131 Ancona, Italy
| | - Francesco Regoli
- Università Politecnica delle Marche, Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, Via Brecce Bianche, 60131 Ancona, Italy; National Future Biodiversity Center (NFBC), Palermo, 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
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5
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Taviani M, Foglini F, Castellan G, Montagna P, McCulloch MT, Trotter JA. First assessment of anthropogenic impacts in submarine canyon systems off southwestern Australia. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 857:159243. [PMID: 36208760 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.159243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Revised: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
We assessed the anthropogenic impacts on southwestern Australian submarine canyons by quantifying macro-litter discovered during Remotely Operated Vehicle surveys. The study area encompasses the Bremer canyon systems and Perth Canyon. The categories of macro-litter identified by our study are plastic, metal, aluminium, glass, fabric, mixed, derelict fishing gear, and unclassified. The anthropogenic impacts in the canyons explored is minimal, especially in the Bremer canyon systems, whereas Perth Canyon has comparatively more macro-litter, presumably due to intense maritime traffic and nearby urban development. On a global scale, however, the environmental status of southwestern Australian canyons is relatively pristine. This analysis provides a baseline for the monitoring and enduring stewardship of these habitats where lush and diverse biota, including deep-sea corals, thrive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Taviani
- Istituto di Scienze Marine (ISMAR), Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Bologna, Italy; Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Naples, Italy
| | - Federica Foglini
- Istituto di Scienze Marine (ISMAR), Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Bologna, Italy
| | - Giorgio Castellan
- Istituto di Scienze Marine (ISMAR), Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Bologna, Italy.
| | - Paolo Montagna
- Istituto di Scienze Polari (ISP), Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Bologna, Italy
| | - Malcom T McCulloch
- Oceans Graduate School and UWA Oceans Institute, The University of Western Australia, Perth 6009, Australia; ARC Centre of Excellence in Coral Reef Studies, The University of Western Australia, Perth 6009, Australia
| | - Julie A Trotter
- Oceans Graduate School and UWA Oceans Institute, The University of Western Australia, Perth 6009, Australia
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6
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Subías-Baratau A, Sanchez-Vidal A, Di Martino E, Figuerola B. Marine biofouling organisms on beached, buoyant and benthic plastic debris in the Catalan Sea. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2022; 175:113405. [PMID: 35152037 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.113405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Plastic debris provides long-lasting substrates for benthic organisms, thus acting as a potential vector for their dispersion. Its interaction with these colonizers is, however, still poorly known. This study examines fouling communities on beached, buoyant and benthic plastic debris in the Catalan Sea (NW Mediterranean), and characterizes the plastic type. We found 14 specimens belonging to two phyla (Annelida and Foraminifera) on microplastics, and more than 400 specimens belonging to 26 species in 10 phyla (Annelida, Arthropoda, Brachiopoda, Bryozoa, Chordata, Cnidaria, Echinodermata, Mollusca, Porifera and Sipuncula) on macroplastics. With 15 species, bryozoans are the most diverse group on plastics. We also report 17 egg cases of the catshark Scyliorhinus sp., and highlight the implications for their dispersal. Our results suggest that plastic polymers may be relevant for distinct fouling communities, likely due to their chemical structure and/or surface properties. Our study provides evidence that biofouling may play a role in the sinking of plastic debris, as the most abundant fouled plastics had lower densities than seawater, and all bryozoan species were characteristic of shallower depths than those sampled. More studies at low taxonomic level are needed in order to detect new species introduction and potential invasive species associated with plastic debris.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arnau Subías-Baratau
- Department of Marine Biology and Oceanography, Institute of Marine Sciences (ICM-CSIC), Pg. Marítim de la Barceloneta 37-49, Barcelona 08003, Spain; GRC Geociències Marines, Departament de Dinàmica de la Terra i de l'Oceà, Universitat de Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Anna Sanchez-Vidal
- GRC Geociències Marines, Departament de Dinàmica de la Terra i de l'Oceà, Universitat de Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Emanuela Di Martino
- Natural History Museum, University of Oslo - Blindern, P.O. Box 1172, Oslo 0318, Norway
| | - Blanca Figuerola
- Department of Marine Biology and Oceanography, Institute of Marine Sciences (ICM-CSIC), Pg. Marítim de la Barceloneta 37-49, Barcelona 08003, Spain.
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7
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Jones ES, Ross SW, Robertson CM, Young CM. Distributions of microplastics and larger anthropogenic debris in Norfolk Canyon, Baltimore Canyon, and the adjacent continental slope (Western North Atlantic Margin, U.S.A.). MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2022; 174:113047. [PMID: 34871899 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.113047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/07/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Anthropogenic debris has been reported in all studied marine environments, including the deepest parts of the sea. Finding areas of accumulation and methods of transport for debris are important to determine potential impacts on marine life. This study analyzed both sediment cores and Remotely Operated Vehicle video to determine the density and distribution of debris, including both micro- and macroplastics, in Norfolk and Baltimore canyons. The average microplastic density in Norfolk Canyon sediment was 37.30 plastic particles m-2 within the canyon and 21.03 particles m-2 on the adjacent slope, suggesting that microplastics could accumulate within submarine canyons. In video transects from both Norfolk and Baltimore canyons, the largest amounts of macroplastic were recorded near the canyon heads. Our findings contribute to a growing evidence base that canyons and their associated benthic invertebrate communities are important repositories and conduits for debris to the deep sea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellie S Jones
- Oregon Institute of Marine Biology, University of Oregon, U.S.A..
| | - Steve W Ross
- Center for Marine Science, University of North Carolina Wilmington, U.S.A
| | - Craig M Robertson
- School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University, Menai Bridge, Anglesey LL59 5AB, U.K..
| | - Craig M Young
- Oregon Institute of Marine Biology, University of Oregon, U.S.A
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8
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Cau A, Franceschini S, Moccia D, Gorule PA, Agus B, Bellodi A, Cannas R, Carugati L, Cuccu D, Dessì C, Marongiu MF, Melis R, Mulas A, Porceddu R, Porcu C, Russo T, Follesa MC. Scattered accumulation hotspots of macro-litter on the seafloor: Insights for mitigation actions. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 292:118338. [PMID: 34637836 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.118338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Marine litter is an ever-increasing problem that demands immediate reduction plans and mitigation actions that should act synergically to efficiently meet ambitious goals. Since the seafloor has been recognized as the major sink for marine debris, the study of litter accumulation dynamics represent a fundamental tool to evaluate possible removal actions. We analysed a 7 years (2013-2019) standardized data series collected along Sardinian fishing grounds through MEDiterranean International Trawl Survey, for which estimates of density and weight of seafloor macro-litter were calculated for over 707 hauls. Results show the absence of any temporal trend in seafloor macro-litter density and weight, but rather indicate a spatial and bathymetric segregation of different litter categories. Our data showed how different sources and physical features of macro-litter items (i.e., plastic and fishing gear, rubber, glass, metals, and cloth) led to spatially segregated accumulation hotspots. We also point out here how the identification of seafloor macro-litter hotspots using aggregated data that include plastic items could obscure the identification of other segregated but yet relevant hotspots of other macro-litter categories accumulated in the marine environment. These hotspots often occurred at shallower depths and closer to coastlines, thus representing potential spots where eventual future litter removal action could be prioritized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Cau
- Dipartimento di Scienze della vita e dell'ambiente, Università degli Studi di Cagliari, Via Tommaso Fiorelli 1, 09126, Cagliari, Italy; ConISMa, Piazzale Flaminio 9, 00196, Rome, Italy.
| | - Simone Franceschini
- Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 46-007 Lilipuna Road, Kaneohe, HI, 96744, USA; Laboratory of Experimental Ecology and Aquaculture, Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, via della Ricerca Scientifica snc, 00133, Rome, Italy; ConISMa, Piazzale Flaminio 9, 00196, Rome, Italy
| | - Davide Moccia
- Dipartimento di Scienze della vita e dell'ambiente, Università degli Studi di Cagliari, Via Tommaso Fiorelli 1, 09126, Cagliari, Italy; Laboratory of Experimental Ecology and Aquaculture, Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, via della Ricerca Scientifica snc, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Pankaj A Gorule
- Dipartimento di Scienze della vita e dell'ambiente, Università degli Studi di Cagliari, Via Tommaso Fiorelli 1, 09126, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Blondine Agus
- Dipartimento di Scienze della vita e dell'ambiente, Università degli Studi di Cagliari, Via Tommaso Fiorelli 1, 09126, Cagliari, Italy; ConISMa, Piazzale Flaminio 9, 00196, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Bellodi
- Dipartimento di Scienze della vita e dell'ambiente, Università degli Studi di Cagliari, Via Tommaso Fiorelli 1, 09126, Cagliari, Italy; ConISMa, Piazzale Flaminio 9, 00196, Rome, Italy
| | - Rita Cannas
- Dipartimento di Scienze della vita e dell'ambiente, Università degli Studi di Cagliari, Via Tommaso Fiorelli 1, 09126, Cagliari, Italy; ConISMa, Piazzale Flaminio 9, 00196, Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Carugati
- Dipartimento di Scienze della vita e dell'ambiente, Università degli Studi di Cagliari, Via Tommaso Fiorelli 1, 09126, Cagliari, Italy; ConISMa, Piazzale Flaminio 9, 00196, Rome, Italy
| | - Danila Cuccu
- Dipartimento di Scienze della vita e dell'ambiente, Università degli Studi di Cagliari, Via Tommaso Fiorelli 1, 09126, Cagliari, Italy; ConISMa, Piazzale Flaminio 9, 00196, Rome, Italy
| | - Claudia Dessì
- Dipartimento di Scienze della vita e dell'ambiente, Università degli Studi di Cagliari, Via Tommaso Fiorelli 1, 09126, Cagliari, Italy; ConISMa, Piazzale Flaminio 9, 00196, Rome, Italy
| | - Martina F Marongiu
- Dipartimento di Scienze della vita e dell'ambiente, Università degli Studi di Cagliari, Via Tommaso Fiorelli 1, 09126, Cagliari, Italy; ConISMa, Piazzale Flaminio 9, 00196, Rome, Italy
| | - Riccardo Melis
- Dipartimento di Scienze della vita e dell'ambiente, Università degli Studi di Cagliari, Via Tommaso Fiorelli 1, 09126, Cagliari, Italy; ConISMa, Piazzale Flaminio 9, 00196, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonello Mulas
- Dipartimento di Scienze della vita e dell'ambiente, Università degli Studi di Cagliari, Via Tommaso Fiorelli 1, 09126, Cagliari, Italy; ConISMa, Piazzale Flaminio 9, 00196, Rome, Italy
| | - Riccardo Porceddu
- Dipartimento di Scienze della vita e dell'ambiente, Università degli Studi di Cagliari, Via Tommaso Fiorelli 1, 09126, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Cristina Porcu
- Dipartimento di Scienze della vita e dell'ambiente, Università degli Studi di Cagliari, Via Tommaso Fiorelli 1, 09126, Cagliari, Italy; ConISMa, Piazzale Flaminio 9, 00196, Rome, Italy
| | - Tommaso Russo
- Laboratory of Experimental Ecology and Aquaculture, Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, via della Ricerca Scientifica snc, 00133, Rome, Italy; ConISMa, Piazzale Flaminio 9, 00196, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Cristina Follesa
- Dipartimento di Scienze della vita e dell'ambiente, Università degli Studi di Cagliari, Via Tommaso Fiorelli 1, 09126, Cagliari, Italy; ConISMa, Piazzale Flaminio 9, 00196, Rome, Italy
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9
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Abundance and Composition of Marine Litter on the Seafloor of the Gulf of Sant Jordi (Western Mediterranean Sea). ENVIRONMENTS 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/environments8100106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
This article analyzes the abundance and composition of marine litter in the Gulf of Sant Jordi (Catalonia, Spain). Marine litter was removed from the sea by a fishing trawler operating from the port of L’Ametlla de Mar; 56 hauls were performed between July and September 2018. The marine litter was classified following UNEP/IOC Guidelines on Survey and Monitoring of Marine Litter and EU MSFD Technical Group on Marine Litter Joint List, with a total of 2691 items collected and an average number by haul of 48 (SD 28.24). The density was 130 items km−2 but with significant differences according to trawling depth: 192 items km−2 (≤100 m) and 71.5 items km−2 (>100 m). As expected, plastic was the most commonly found material, comprising almost 80% of the total. The relative presence of plastics declined as trawling depth increased. An alarmingly high amount of sanitary waste was found. Further studies are necessary to compare summer results with those of smaller seasonal populations and to analyze what happens to sanitary waste.
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Cau A, Franceschini S, Moccia D, Gorule PA, Agus B, Bellodi A, Cannas R, Carugati L, Cuccu D, Dessì C, Marongiu MF, Melis R, Mulas A, Porceddu R, Porcu C, Russo T, Follesa MC. Scattered accumulation hotspots of macro-litter on the seafloor: Insights for mitigation actions. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2021:118232. [PMID: 34582917 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.118232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Revised: 08/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Marine litter is an ever-increasing problem that demands immediate reduction plans and mitigation actions that should act synergically to efficiently meet ambitious goals. Since the seafloor has been recognized as the major sink for marine debris, the study of litter accumulation dynamics represents a fundamental tool to evaluate future removal actions. We analysed a 7 years (2013-2019) standardized data series collected along Sardinian fishing grounds through MEDiterranean International Trawl Survey, for which estimates of density and weight of seafloor macro-litter were calculated over 707 hauls. Results show the absence of any temporal trend in seafloor macro-litter density and weight, but rather indicate a spatial and bathymetric segregation of different litter categories. Our data showed how different sources and physical features of macro-litter items (i.e., plastic and fishing gears, rubber, glass, metal and textile) led to spatially segregated accumulation hotspots. These hotspots often occurred at shallower depths and closer to coastlines, representing spots where future litter removal action could be prioritized. We also point out here how the identification of seafloor macro-litter hotspots using aggregated data that include plastic items could indeed hide the identification of hotspots of other less abundant but yet detrimental macro-litter categories accumulated in the marine environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Cau
- Dipartimento di Scienze della vita e dell'ambiente, Università degli Studi di Cagliari, Via Tommaso Fiorelli 1, 09126, Cagliari, Italy; ConISMa, Piazzale Flaminio 9, 00196, Rome, Italy.
| | - Simone Franceschini
- Laboratory of Experimental Ecology and Aquaculture, Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, via della Ricerca Scientifica snc, 00133, Rome, Italy; ConISMa, Piazzale Flaminio 9, 00196, Rome, Italy
| | - Davide Moccia
- Dipartimento di Scienze della vita e dell'ambiente, Università degli Studi di Cagliari, Via Tommaso Fiorelli 1, 09126, Cagliari, Italy; ConISMa, Piazzale Flaminio 9, 00196, Rome, Italy
| | - Pankaj A Gorule
- Dipartimento di Scienze della vita e dell'ambiente, Università degli Studi di Cagliari, Via Tommaso Fiorelli 1, 09126, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Blondine Agus
- Dipartimento di Scienze della vita e dell'ambiente, Università degli Studi di Cagliari, Via Tommaso Fiorelli 1, 09126, Cagliari, Italy; ConISMa, Piazzale Flaminio 9, 00196, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Bellodi
- Dipartimento di Scienze della vita e dell'ambiente, Università degli Studi di Cagliari, Via Tommaso Fiorelli 1, 09126, Cagliari, Italy; ConISMa, Piazzale Flaminio 9, 00196, Rome, Italy
| | - Rita Cannas
- Dipartimento di Scienze della vita e dell'ambiente, Università degli Studi di Cagliari, Via Tommaso Fiorelli 1, 09126, Cagliari, Italy; ConISMa, Piazzale Flaminio 9, 00196, Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Carugati
- Dipartimento di Scienze della vita e dell'ambiente, Università degli Studi di Cagliari, Via Tommaso Fiorelli 1, 09126, Cagliari, Italy; ConISMa, Piazzale Flaminio 9, 00196, Rome, Italy
| | - Danila Cuccu
- Dipartimento di Scienze della vita e dell'ambiente, Università degli Studi di Cagliari, Via Tommaso Fiorelli 1, 09126, Cagliari, Italy; ConISMa, Piazzale Flaminio 9, 00196, Rome, Italy
| | - Claudia Dessì
- Dipartimento di Scienze della vita e dell'ambiente, Università degli Studi di Cagliari, Via Tommaso Fiorelli 1, 09126, Cagliari, Italy; ConISMa, Piazzale Flaminio 9, 00196, Rome, Italy
| | - Martina F Marongiu
- Dipartimento di Scienze della vita e dell'ambiente, Università degli Studi di Cagliari, Via Tommaso Fiorelli 1, 09126, Cagliari, Italy; ConISMa, Piazzale Flaminio 9, 00196, Rome, Italy
| | - Riccardo Melis
- Dipartimento di Scienze della vita e dell'ambiente, Università degli Studi di Cagliari, Via Tommaso Fiorelli 1, 09126, Cagliari, Italy; ConISMa, Piazzale Flaminio 9, 00196, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonello Mulas
- Dipartimento di Scienze della vita e dell'ambiente, Università degli Studi di Cagliari, Via Tommaso Fiorelli 1, 09126, Cagliari, Italy; ConISMa, Piazzale Flaminio 9, 00196, Rome, Italy
| | - Riccardo Porceddu
- Dipartimento di Scienze della vita e dell'ambiente, Università degli Studi di Cagliari, Via Tommaso Fiorelli 1, 09126, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Cristina Porcu
- Dipartimento di Scienze della vita e dell'ambiente, Università degli Studi di Cagliari, Via Tommaso Fiorelli 1, 09126, Cagliari, Italy; ConISMa, Piazzale Flaminio 9, 00196, Rome, Italy
| | - Tommaso Russo
- Laboratory of Experimental Ecology and Aquaculture, Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, via della Ricerca Scientifica snc, 00133, Rome, Italy; ConISMa, Piazzale Flaminio 9, 00196, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Cristina Follesa
- Dipartimento di Scienze della vita e dell'ambiente, Università degli Studi di Cagliari, Via Tommaso Fiorelli 1, 09126, Cagliari, Italy; ConISMa, Piazzale Flaminio 9, 00196, Rome, Italy
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Carugati L, Bramanti L, Giordano B, Pittura L, Cannas R, Follesa MC, Pusceddu A, Cau A. Colonization of plastic debris by the long-lived precious red coral Corallium rubrum: New insights on the "plastic benefits" paradox. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2021; 165:112104. [PMID: 33548680 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2020] [Revised: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Seafloor macrolitter is ubiquitous in world's oceans; still, huge knowledge gaps exist on its interactions with benthic biota. We report here the colonization of plastic substrates by the Mediterranean red coral Corallium rubrum (L. 1758), occurring both in controlled conditions and in the wild at ca. 85 m depth in the Western Mediterranean Sea. Juveniles settled on seafloor macro-litter, with either arborescent or encrusting morphology, ranging from 0.6 to 3.5 mm in basal diameter and 0.2-7.1 years of age, also including a fraction (20%) of potentially sexually mature individuals. In controlled conditions, larvae settled and survived on plastic substrates for >60 days. Our insights show that marine plastic debris can provide favourable substrate for C. rubrum settlement either in controlled conditions or in the wild, suggesting their possible use in restoration activities. However, we pinpoint here that this potential benefit could result in adverse effects on population dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Carugati
- Dipartimento di Scienze della vita e dell'ambiente, Università degli Studi di Cagliari, Via Tommaso Fiorelli 1, 09126 Cagliari, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Bramanti
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, CNRS, Laboratoire d'Ecogéochimie des Environnements Benthiques (LECOB), Observatoire Océanologique, F-66650 Banyuls sur Mer, France
| | - Bruna Giordano
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, CNRS, Laboratoire d'Ecogéochimie des Environnements Benthiques (LECOB), Observatoire Océanologique, F-66650 Banyuls sur Mer, France
| | - Lucia Pittura
- Dipartimento di Scienze della vita e dell'ambiente, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Via Brecce Bianche, 60131 Ancona, Italy
| | - Rita Cannas
- Dipartimento di Scienze della vita e dell'ambiente, Università degli Studi di Cagliari, Via Tommaso Fiorelli 1, 09126 Cagliari, Italy
| | - Maria Cristina Follesa
- Dipartimento di Scienze della vita e dell'ambiente, Università degli Studi di Cagliari, Via Tommaso Fiorelli 1, 09126 Cagliari, Italy
| | - Antonio Pusceddu
- Dipartimento di Scienze della vita e dell'ambiente, Università degli Studi di Cagliari, Via Tommaso Fiorelli 1, 09126 Cagliari, Italy
| | - Alessandro Cau
- Dipartimento di Scienze della vita e dell'ambiente, Università degli Studi di Cagliari, Via Tommaso Fiorelli 1, 09126 Cagliari, Italy.
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