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Lavers JL, Bond AL. Beyond the surface: Seabirds and plastics as indicators in a large, remote marine protected area. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 205:116574. [PMID: 38857556 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116574] [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: 04/10/2024] [Revised: 06/06/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024]
Abstract
Marine protected areas (MPAs) are an important conservation tool for species and habitats; however, they are not a panacea solution. For example, MPAs provide little protection from plastic pollution which travels vast distances on ocean currents. Here we document exposure of juvenile Christmas Shearwaters (Puffinus nativitatis) to plastics on uninhabited Ducie Atoll in the remote South Pacific. Despite being surrounded by the very large Pitcairn Islands MPA, most birds (68.7 %; n = 16) contained 3.8 ± 4.1 pieces of ingested plastic. Unexpectedly, the number, mass and frequency of occurrence of plastic in two age classes (young downy chicks and fledglings) was similar. While the reason for this is unknown, it may suggest birds do not acquire new plastic items, or are able to rid themselves of plastics, beyond a certain age. We discuss the potential health consequences of plastic ingestion in Christmas Shearwaters and call for further research of this poorly studied species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer L Lavers
- Bird Group, Natural History Museum, Akeman Street, Tring, Hertfordshire HP23 6AP, United Kingdom; Esperance Tjaltjraak Native Title Aboriginal Corporation, 11a Shelden Road, Esperance, Western Australia 6450, Australia.
| | - Alexander L Bond
- Bird Group, Natural History Museum, Akeman Street, Tring, Hertfordshire HP23 6AP, United Kingdom
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2
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Honorato-Zimmer D, Escobar-Sánchez G, Deakin K, De Veer D, Galloway T, Guevara-Torrejón V, Howard J, Jones J, Lewis C, Ribeiro F, Savage G, Thiel M. Macrolitter and microplastics along the East Pacific coasts - A homemade problem needing local solutions. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 203:116440. [PMID: 38718548 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116440] [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: 02/08/2024] [Revised: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024]
Abstract
The East Pacific (EP) region, especially the central and southern EP, has been fairly less studied than other world's regions with respect to marine litter pollution. This comprehensive literature review (257 peer-reviewed publications) showed that both macrolitter (mostly plastics) and microplastics tend to accumulate on EP shorelines. Moreover, they were also reported in all the other compartments investigated: sea surface, water column, seafloor and 'others'. Mostly local, land-based sources (e.g., tourism, poor waste management) were identified across the region, especially at continental sites from low and mid latitudes. Some sea-based sources (e.g., fisheries, long-distance drifting) were also identified at high latitudes and on oceanic islands, likely enhanced by the oceanographic dynamics of the EP that affect transport of floating litter. Our results suggest that effective solutions to the problem require local and preventive strategies to significantly reduce the levels of litter along the EP coasts.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gabriela Escobar-Sánchez
- Coastal and Marine Management Group, Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research Warnemünde (IOW), Seestraße 15, 18119 Rostock, Germany; Marine Research Institute, Klaipeda University, Universiteto Ave. 17, LT-92294, Klaipeda, Lithuania
| | - Katie Deakin
- Department of Biosciences, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Diamela De Veer
- Facultad de Ciencias del Mar, Universidad Católica del Norte, Coquimbo, Chile; Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, Edgewater, MD, USA
| | - Tamara Galloway
- Department of Biosciences, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK
| | | | - Jessica Howard
- Galapagos Conservation Trust, 7-14 Great Dover Street, London SE1 4YR, UK
| | - Jen Jones
- Galapagos Conservation Trust, 7-14 Great Dover Street, London SE1 4YR, UK
| | - Ceri Lewis
- Department of Biosciences, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK
| | | | - Georgie Savage
- Department of Biosciences, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Martin Thiel
- Facultad de Ciencias del Mar, Universidad Católica del Norte, Coquimbo, Chile; Millennium Nucleus Ecology and Sustainable Management of Oceanic Island (ESMOI), Coquimbo, Chile; MarineGEO, Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, Edgewater, MD, USA.
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3
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Oliveira S, Krelling AP, Turra A. Contamination by microplastics in oysters shows a widespread but patchy occurrence in a subtropical estuarine system. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 203:116380. [PMID: 38733889 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116380] [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: 12/06/2023] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) have been widely documented in marine biota, with a notable presence in bivalve species. This study examines microplastic (MP) contamination in oysters across a subtropical estuarine system, revealing widespread and highly variable levels of contamination. Our results indicate a general trend of higher contamination in areas with greater anthropogenic impact, and unexpectedly high values in remote Marine Protected Areas, suggesting alternative sources of MPs. We observed a 94.31 % frequency of occurrence and an average contamination level of 8.16 ± 6.39 MP.ind-1, 1.06 ± 1.28 MP.g-1ww, and 7.54 ± 6.55 MP.g-1dw. Transparent fibers, predominantly composed of polyester and polyethylene from likely textile origins, were the most common. The findings underscore the significance of MP pollution in marine environments, even in protected zones. For enhanced spatial assessment and consistent data comparison, we recommend that future studies include MP quantities in terms of dry weight (MP.g-1dw) and biometric data such as size and weight.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzane Oliveira
- Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Center for Marine Studies (CEM), Coastal and Oceanic Systems Postgraduate Program (PGSISCO), Av. Beira-Mar, s/n, 83255-976 Pontal do Paraná, Paraná, Brazil; Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Scientific and didactic laboratories of Setor Litoral. R. Jaguariaíva, 512, 83260-000 Matinhos, Paraná, Brazil.
| | - Allan Paul Krelling
- Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Center for Marine Studies (CEM), Coastal and Oceanic Systems Postgraduate Program (PGSISCO), Av. Beira-Mar, s/n, 83255-976 Pontal do Paraná, Paraná, Brazil; Federal Institute of Paraná (IFPR), Paranaguá Campus, Natural Resources Department, Antônio Carlos Rodrigues St. 453, 83215-750 Paranaguá, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Alexander Turra
- Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Center for Marine Studies (CEM), Coastal and Oceanic Systems Postgraduate Program (PGSISCO), Av. Beira-Mar, s/n, 83255-976 Pontal do Paraná, Paraná, Brazil; 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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4
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García-Regalado A, Herrera A, Almeda R. Microplastic and mesoplastic pollution in surface waters and beaches of the Canary Islands: A review. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 201:116230. [PMID: 38479326 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116230] [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: 12/03/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024]
Abstract
The Canary Archipelago is a group of volcanic islands located in the North Atlantic Ocean with high marine biodiversity. This archipelago intercepts the Canary Current, the easternmost branch of the Azores Current in the North Atlantic Subtropical Gyre, which brings large amounts of litter from remote sources via oceanic transportation. It is, therefore, particularly vulnerable to marine plastic pollution. Here, we present a review of the available studies on mesoplastics and microplastics in the Canary Islands over the last decade to evaluate the level and distribution of plastic pollution in this archipelago. Specifically, we focused on data from beaches and surface waters to assess the pollution level among the different islands as well as between windward and leeward zones, and the main characteristics (size, type, colour, and polymer) of the plastics found in the Canary Islands. The concentrations of meso- and MPs on beaches ranged from 1.5 to 2972 items/m2 with a mean of 381 ± 721 items/m2. The concentration of MPs (>200 μm) in surface waters was highly variable with mean values of 998 × 103 ± 3364 × 103 items/km2 and 10 ± 31 items/m3. Plastic pollution in windward beaches was one order of magnitude significantly higher than in leeward beaches. The accumulation of MPs in surface waters was higher in the leeward zones of the high-elevation islands, corresponding to the Special Areas of Conservation (ZECs) and where the presence of marine litter windrows (MLW) has been reported. Microplastic fragments of polyethylene of the colour category "white/clear/uncoloured" were the most common type of plastic reported in both beaches and surface waters. More studies on the occurrence of MLW in ZECS and plastic pollution in the water column and sediments, including small-size fractions (<200 μm), are needed to better assess the level of plastic pollution and its fate in the Canary Islands. Overall, this review confirms that the Canary Archipelago is a hotspot of oceanic plastic pollution, with concentrations of MPs in surface waters in the highest range reported for oceanic islands and one of the highest recorded mean concentrations of beached meso- and microplastics in the world.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alicia Herrera
- EOMAR, ECOAQUA, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Rodrigo Almeda
- EOMAR, ECOAQUA, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain.
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5
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Sousa-Guedes D, Bessa F, Queiruga A, Teixeira L, Reis V, Gonçalves JA, Marco A, Sillero N. Lost and found: Patterns of marine litter accumulation on the remote Island of Santa Luzia, Cabo Verde. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 344:123338. [PMID: 38218543 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.123338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
Santa Luzia, an uninhabited island in the archipelago of Cabo Verde, serves as a natural laboratory and important nesting site for loggerhead turtles Carettacaretta. The island constitutes an Integral Natural Reserve and a Marine Protected Area. We assessed marine litter accumulation on sandy beaches of the island and analysed their spatial patterns using two sampling methods: at a fine scale, sand samples from 1 × 1 m squares were collected, identifying debris larger than 1 mm; at a coarse scale, drone surveys were conducted to identify visible marine debris (>25 mm) in aerial images. We sampled six points on three beaches of the island: Achados (three points), Francisca (two points) and Palmo Tostão (one point). Then, we modelled the abundance of marine debris using topographical variables as explanatory factors, derived from digital surface models (DSM). Our findings reveal that the island is a significant repository for marine litter (>84% composed of plastics), with up to 917 plastic items per m2 in the sand samples and a maximum of 38 macro-debris items per m2 in the drone surveys. Plastic fragments dominate, followed by plastic pellets (at the fine-scale approach) and fishing materials (at the coarse-scale approach). We observed that north-facing, higher-elevation beaches accumulate more large marine litter, while slope and elevation affect their spatial distribution within the beach. Achados Beach faces severe marine debris pollution challenges, and the upcoming climate changes could exacerbate this problem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Sousa-Guedes
- Centro de Investigação em Ciências Geo-Espaciais (CICGE), Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto, Alameda do Monte da Virgem, 4430-146 Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal; University of Coimbra, MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre/ ARNET Aquatic Research Network, Department of Life Sciences, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal; Estación Biológica de Doñana, CSIC, C/ Américo Vespucio, s/n, 41092 Sevilla, Spain; BIOS.CV - Conservation of the Environment and Sustainable Development, CP 52111, Sal Rei, Boa Vista Island, Cabo Verde.
| | - Filipa Bessa
- University of Coimbra, MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre/ ARNET Aquatic Research Network, Department of Life Sciences, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal.
| | | | | | - Vitória Reis
- Centro de Investigação em Ciências Geo-Espaciais (CICGE), Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto, Alameda do Monte da Virgem, 4430-146 Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal.
| | - José Alberto Gonçalves
- Departamento de Geociências, Ambiente e Ordenamento do Território (DGAOT), Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto, Portugal; CIIMAR Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, Terminal de Cruzeiros de Leixões, Avenida General Norton de Matos s/n, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal.
| | - Adolfo Marco
- Estación Biológica de Doñana, CSIC, C/ Américo Vespucio, s/n, 41092 Sevilla, Spain; BIOS.CV - Conservation of the Environment and Sustainable Development, CP 52111, Sal Rei, Boa Vista Island, Cabo Verde.
| | - Neftalí Sillero
- Centro de Investigação em Ciências Geo-Espaciais (CICGE), Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto, Alameda do Monte da Virgem, 4430-146 Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal.
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6
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Sánchez-García N, Sanz-Lázaro C. Darwin's paradise contaminated by marine debris. Understanding their sources and accumulation dynamics. ☆. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 324:121310. [PMID: 36804143 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Plastic pollution is a global environmental threat. Remote and pristine islands are not safe from this threat. Here, we estimated beach macro- (>25 mm), meso- (5-25 mm) and microdebris (<5 mm) levels in Galapagos and studied the role of environmental variables determining their accumulation. The vast majority of beach macro- and mesodebris were plastic, while most microdebris were cellulosic. The levels of beach macro-, meso- and microplastics were notably high and comparable with exceptional levels reported in contaminated areas. Oceanic currents and the anthropic pressure of use of the beach were the main factors that determined the level of macro- and mesoplastics, as well as the diversity of items, with more types of items in the beaches facing the predominant current. Microplastic levels were mainly driven by the slope and, to some extent, the grain size of the sediment in the beach. The absence of relationship between the levels of large size debris and the level of microplastics suggests that secondary microplastics that accumulated in the beaches were previously fragmented before arriving to the beach. This differential influence of environmental factors in the accumulation of marine debris according to their size should be taken into account when developing strategies to mitigate plastic pollution. Additionally, this study reports high levels of marine debris reported in a remote and protected area such as Galapagos, which are comparable to areas with direct sources of marine debris. This is especially worrying for Galapagos since the sampled beaches are cleaned at least annually. This fact highlights the global dimension of this environmental threat that demands further extensive international commitment to conserve some of the last paradises on Earth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Sánchez-García
- Multidisciplinary Institute for Environmental Studies (MIES), Universidad de Alicante, P.O. Box 99, E-03080 Alicante, Spain; Department of Ecology, University of Alicante, PO Box 99, E-03080 Alicante, Spain.
| | - Carlos Sanz-Lázaro
- Multidisciplinary Institute for Environmental Studies (MIES), Universidad de Alicante, P.O. Box 99, E-03080 Alicante, Spain; Department of Ecology, University of Alicante, PO Box 99, E-03080 Alicante, Spain.
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7
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Markic A, Bridson JH, Morton P, Hersey L, Budiša A, Maes T, Bowen M. Microplastic pollution in the intertidal and subtidal sediments of Vava'u, Tonga. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 186:114451. [PMID: 36529018 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.114451] [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: 05/26/2022] [Revised: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Plastic pollution research on a global scale intensified considerably in the current decade; however, research efforts in the South Pacific are still lagging. Here, we report on microplastic contamination of intertidal and subtidal sediments in the Vava'u archipelago, Tonga. While providing the first baseline data of its type in Tonga, the study also advances methods and adjusts them for low-budget research. The methods were based on density separation of microplastics from the sediment using CaCl2, a high-density salt which due to its high solubility, low cost and availability. Once separated, microplastics were quantified by microscopic analysis and polymers characterized via FTIR spectroscopy. Microplastics in intertidal and subtidal sediments were found in concentrations of 23.5 ± 1.9 and 15.0 ± 1.9 particles L-1 of sediment, respectively. The dominant type of microplastics in both intertidal (85 %) and subtidal sediments (62 %) were fibres.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Markic
- Blue Spark, Put za Marleru 20, 52204 Ližnjan, Croatia.
| | - James H Bridson
- Scion, Titokorangi Drive, Private Bag 3020, Rotorua 3046, New Zealand
| | - Peta Morton
- University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Lucy Hersey
- Monash University, Wellington Road, Clayton 3800, Victoria, Australia
| | - Andrea Budiša
- Center for Marine Research, Ruđer Bošković Institute, G. Paliaga 5, 52210 Rovinj, Croatia
| | - Thomas Maes
- Grid-Arendal, Teaterplassen 3, 4836 Arendal, Norway
| | - Melissa Bowen
- School of Environment, University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
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8
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Al Nabhani K, Salzman S, Shimeta J, Dansie A, Allinson G. A temporal assessment of microplastics distribution on the beaches of three remote islands of the Yasawa archipelago, Fiji. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2022; 185:114202. [PMID: 36265426 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.114202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
This is the first study that investigated the presence, distribution, and composition of microplastics, MPs (1-5 mm) on beaches in the Yasawa Islands, Fiji. A temporal assessment over three years on six beaches was undertaken to investigate different beach traits on MP abundance. Average MP concentration was 4.5 ± 11.1 MPs·m-2 with significantly higher concentrations were found on east-facing beaches than west (p < 0.001), and higher on the storm line compared to the high tide line (p < 0.001). No difference was found between tourist and local beaches (p = 0.21). These results demonstrate the role of current-driven ocean transport of plastic pollution in this part of The South Pacific. ATR FT-IR analysis showed that across all sites 34 % of MPs were polypropylene (PP), 33 % polystyrene (PS), 25 % polyethylene (PE), and 8 % other polymer types. Further studies are needed to assess the potential impacts of MPs on Fiji's coral reefs and marine life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khadija Al Nabhani
- School of Science, STEM College, RMIT University, 124 La Trobe Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia; UNSW Water Research Centre, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, UNSW Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
| | - Scott Salzman
- Department of Information Systems and Business Analytics, Deakin University, PO Box 423, Warrnambool, VIC 3280, Australia
| | - Jeff Shimeta
- School of Science, STEM College, RMIT University, 124 La Trobe Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
| | - Andrew Dansie
- UNSW Water Research Centre, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, UNSW Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Graeme Allinson
- School of Science, STEM College, RMIT University, 124 La Trobe Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
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9
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Sousa‐Guedes D, Sillero N, Bessa F, Marco A. Plastic pollution can affect the emergence patterns of the loggerhead turtle hatchlings. Anim Conserv 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/acv.12837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- D. Sousa‐Guedes
- Centro de Investigação em Ciências Geo‐Espaciais (CICGE) Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto Vila Nova de Gaia Portugal
- Department of Life Sciences University of Coimbra, MARE ‐ Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre/ ARNET – Aquatic Research Network Coimbra Portugal
- Estación Biológica de Doñana, CSIC, C/ Américo Vespucio Sevilla Spain
- BIOS.CV ‐ Conservation of the Environment and Sustainable Development Sal Rei Cabo Verde
| | - N. Sillero
- Centro de Investigação em Ciências Geo‐Espaciais (CICGE) Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto Vila Nova de Gaia Portugal
| | - F. Bessa
- Department of Life Sciences University of Coimbra, MARE ‐ Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre/ ARNET – Aquatic Research Network Coimbra Portugal
| | - A. Marco
- Estación Biológica de Doñana, CSIC, C/ Américo Vespucio Sevilla Spain
- BIOS.CV ‐ Conservation of the Environment and Sustainable Development Sal Rei Cabo Verde
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10
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Lincoln S, Andrews B, Birchenough SNR, Chowdhury P, Engelhard GH, Harrod O, Pinnegar JK, Townhill BL. Marine litter and climate change: Inextricably connected threats to the world's oceans. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 837:155709. [PMID: 35525371 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.155709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The global issues of climate change and marine litter are interlinked and understanding these connections is key to managing their combined risks to marine biodiversity and ultimately society. For example, fossil fuel-based plastics cause direct emissions of greenhouse gases and therefore are an important contributing factor to climate change, while other impacts of plastics can manifest as alterations in key species and habitats in coastal and marine environments. Marine litter is acknowledged as a threat multiplier that acts with other stressors such as climate change to cause far greater damage than if they occurred in isolation. On the other hand, while climate change can lead to increased inputs of litter into the marine environment, the presence of marine litter can also undermine the climate resilience of marine ecosystems. There is increasing evidence that that climate change and marine litter are inextricably linked, although these interactions and the resulting effects vary widely across oceanic regions and depend on the particular characteristics of specific marine environments. Ecosystem resilience approaches, that integrate climate change with other local stressors, offer a suitable framework to incorporate the consideration of marine litter where that is deemed to be a risk, and to steer, coordinate and prioritise research and monitoring, as well as management, policy, planning and action to effectively tackle the combined risks and impacts from climate change and marine litter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susana Lincoln
- International Marine Climate Change Centre (iMC3), The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Sciences (Cefas), Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 0HT, United Kingdom.
| | - Barnaby Andrews
- International Marine Climate Change Centre (iMC3), The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Sciences (Cefas), Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 0HT, United Kingdom
| | - Silvana N R Birchenough
- International Marine Climate Change Centre (iMC3), The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Sciences (Cefas), Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 0HT, United Kingdom
| | - Piyali Chowdhury
- International Marine Climate Change Centre (iMC3), The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Sciences (Cefas), Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 0HT, United Kingdom
| | - Georg H Engelhard
- International Marine Climate Change Centre (iMC3), The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Sciences (Cefas), Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 0HT, United Kingdom
| | - Olivia Harrod
- International Marine Climate Change Centre (iMC3), The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Sciences (Cefas), Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 0HT, United Kingdom
| | - John K Pinnegar
- International Marine Climate Change Centre (iMC3), The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Sciences (Cefas), Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 0HT, United Kingdom
| | - Bryony L Townhill
- International Marine Climate Change Centre (iMC3), The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Sciences (Cefas), Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 0HT, United Kingdom
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11
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Savage G, Porter A, Simpson SD. Uptake of microplastics by the snakelocks anemone (Anemonia viridis) is commonplace across environmental conditions. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 836:155144. [PMID: 35405239 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.155144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Revised: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (<1 mm) are ubiquitous in our oceans and widely acknowledged as concerning contaminants due to the multi-faceted threats they exert on marine organisms and ecosystems. Anthozoans, including sea anemones and corals, are particularly at risk of microplastic uptake due to their proximity to the coastline, non-selective feeding mechanisms and sedentary nature. Here, the common snakelocks anemone (Anemonia viridis) was used to generate understanding of microplastic uptake in the relatively understudied Anthozoa class. A series of microplastic exposure and multi-stressor experiments were performed to examine particle shape and size selectivity, and to test for the influence of food availability and temperature on microplastic uptake. All A. viridis individuals were found to readily take up microplastics (mean 142.1 ± 83.4 particles per gram of tissue) but exhibited limited preference between different particle shapes and sizes (n = 32). Closer examination identified that uptake involved both ingestion and external tissue adhesion, where microplastics were trapped in secreted mucus. Microplastic uptake in A. viridis was not influenced by the presence of food or elevated water temperature (n = 40). Furthermore, environmental sampling was performed to investigate microplastic uptake in A. viridis (n = 8) on the coast of southwest England, with a mean of 17.5 ± 4.0 particles taken up per individual. Fibres represented the majority of particles (91%) followed by fragments (9%), with 87% either clear, blue or black in colour. FTIR analysis identified 70% of the particles as anthropogenic cellulosic or plastic polymers. Thus, this study provides evidence of microplastic uptake by A. viridis in both laboratory exposures experiments and in the marine environment. These findings support recent literature suggesting that external adhesion may be the primary mechanism in which anthozoans capture microplastics from the water column and highlights the potential role anemones can play as environmental microplastic bioindicators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgie Savage
- Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK.
| | - Adam Porter
- Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Stephen D Simpson
- School of Biological Sciences, Life Sciences Building, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TQ, UK
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12
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Buckingham JW, Manno C, Waluda CM, Waller CL. A record of microplastic in the marine nearshore waters of South Georgia. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 306:119379. [PMID: 35500714 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Revised: 04/23/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The polar plastics research community have recommended the spatial coverage of microplastic investigations in Antarctica and the Southern Ocean be increased. Presented here is a baseline estimate of microplastics in the nearshore waters of South Georgia, the first in situ study of the north-east coast of the island. Our results show that the microplastic concentration in seawater at twelve stations in proximity to King Edward Point Research Station ranged from 1.75 ± 5.17 MP/L (mean ± SD), approximately one order of magnitude higher than similar studies of sea surface waters south of the Polar Front. Levels of microplastics in freshwater (sampled from Gull Lake) and precipitation (collected adjacent to the research station) were 2.67 ± 3.05 MP/L, and 4.67 ± 3.21 MP/L respectively. There was no significant difference in the microplastic concentration between seawater sites, and no significant bilateral relationship between concentration and distance from the research station outlets. We report an average concentration of 1.66 ± 3.00 MP/L in wastewater collected from the research station but overall, the counts of microplastics were too low to attach any statistical significance to the similarity in the microplastic assemblages of seawater and wastewater, or assemblages retrieved from penguin species in the region in other studies. Using a calculation described in contemporary literature we estimate the number of microfibres potentially being released from ships and stations annually in the region but acknowledge that further samples are needed to support the figures generated. More extensive research into microplastic distribution, characteristics, and transport in the region is recommended to fully compute the level of risk which this pollutant represents to the ecosystem health of this remote region.
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Affiliation(s)
- J W Buckingham
- Energy and Environment Institute, University of Hull, Cottingham Rd, Hull, HU6 7RX, UK.
| | - C Manno
- British Antarctic Survey, Natural Environment Research Council, High Cross, Madingley Rd, Cambridge, CB3 0ET, UK
| | - C M Waluda
- British Antarctic Survey, Natural Environment Research Council, High Cross, Madingley Rd, Cambridge, CB3 0ET, UK
| | - C L Waller
- Energy and Environment Institute, University of Hull, Cottingham Rd, Hull, HU6 7RX, UK
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13
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Han W, Hou Y, Yu Y, Lu Z, Qiu Y. Fibrous and filmy microplastics exert opposite effects on the mobility of nanoplastics in saturated porous media. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 434:128912. [PMID: 35452988 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.128912] [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: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 04/09/2022] [Accepted: 04/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
This study explored the influence of fibrous and filmy polyethylene terephthalate (PET) on the transportation of nanoplastics (NPs) in saturated porous media. With the strong electrostatic repulsion, the negatively charged PET fibers (-57.5 mV) improved the transport of NPs, and the mass percentage of NPs recovered from the effluent (Meff) increased from 69.3% to 86.7%. However, PET films (-49.7 mV) showed the opposite result, that is, Meff decreased from 69.3% to 57.0%. X-ray micro-computed tomography quantitatively revealed the change in effective porosity of porous media before and after adding various PET MPs. The addition of 10 mm fiber increased the porosity from 0.39 to 0.43, whereas the addition of 10 × 10 mm2 film reduced the porosity from 0.39 to 0.29. The fiber-facilitated transport of NPs is presumably due to the formation of new connected pores between fibers and sand grains, whereas the film-inhibited transport of NPs may be due to the partial truncation of transport path of NPs. Overall, the effect of coexisting MPs on the mobility of NPs strongly relies on the shape and size of MPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenhui Han
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, PR China; Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai 200092, PR China
| | - Yuanzhang Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, PR China; Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai 200092, PR China
| | - Ying Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, PR China; Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai 200092, PR China
| | - Zhibo Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, PR China; Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai 200092, PR China
| | - Yuping Qiu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, PR China; Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai 200092, PR China.
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14
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Wang SC, Gao ZY, Liu FF, Chen SQ, Liu GZ. Effects of polystyrene and triphenyl phosphate on growth, photosynthesis and oxidative stress of Chaetoceros meülleri. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 797:149180. [PMID: 34311354 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.149180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2021] [Revised: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/17/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The toxicity of microplastics to marine organisms has attracted much attention; however, studies of their effects on marine microalgae remain limited. Here, the effects of the single and combined toxicity of polystyrene (PS) and triphenyl phosphate (TPhP) on the cell growth, photosynthesis, and oxidative stress of Chaetoceros meülleri were investigated. PS inhibited growth of the algae cells and caused a dose-dependent effect on oxidative stress. The significantly high production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced severe cell membrane damage, as confirmed by high fluorescence polarization. However, there was no obvious decrease in chlorophyll a content, and 80 mg/L of PS significantly promoted chlorophyll a synthesis. The TPhP also inhibited cell growth, except at low concentrations (0.2-0.8 mg/L), which stimulated algae growth over 48 h. Moreover, no obvious decrease in chlorophyll a and maximal photochemical efficiency of PSII was found in the TPhP experimental groups except for 3.2 mg/L TPhP, where the rapid light curves showed a significantly reduced photosynthetic capacity of algae. In addition, TPhP caused high ROS levels at 96 h, resulting in cell membrane damage. Using the additive index and independent action methods, the combined toxic effects of PS and TPhP on the algae were evaluated as antagonistic; however, cell membrane damage caused by high ROS levels was still noticeable. This study has shown the potential toxicity of PS and TPhP to marine microalgae, and provided insights into the combined risk assessment of TPhP and microplastics in the marine environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Su-Chun Wang
- Institute of Marine Science and Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, PR China
| | - Zhi-Yin Gao
- Institute of Marine Science and Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, PR China
| | - Fei-Fei Liu
- Institute of Marine Science and Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, PR China.
| | - Shi-Qiang Chen
- Institute of Marine Science and Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, PR China
| | - Guang-Zhou Liu
- Institute of Marine Science and Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, PR China.
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15
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Blanke JM, Steinberg MK, Donlevy JP. A baseline analysis of marine debris on southern islands of Belize. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2021; 172:112916. [PMID: 34526268 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112916] [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: 02/28/2021] [Revised: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Marine debris is a global issue with acute impacts. Using beach transect surveys, this study investigates debris prevalence on 7 islands in the Caribbean country of Belize. 1754 items were cataloged based on object size, form, material, condition, and economic use. Most of the litter was plastics (68.1%). Styrofoam was the second highest in abundance (9.46%), followed by foam/rubber items (8.04%), glass (3.82%), metal (2.57%), and aluminum (1.94%). Most litter was associated with an urban source (74.8%), while 4.2% and 2.1% were linked to industrial and fishing activities respectively. This study provides a novel baseline for future studies in the scarcely studied region, especially as Belize's economy continues in the conscious shift away from single-use plastic and styrofoam products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jayla M Blanke
- Department of Geography, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, United States.
| | - Michael K Steinberg
- Department of Geography, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, United States
| | - James P Donlevy
- Department of Geography, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, United States
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16
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Royer SJ, Wiggin K, Kogler M, Deheyn DD. Degradation of synthetic and wood-based cellulose fabrics in the marine environment: Comparative assessment of field, aquarium, and bioreactor experiments. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 791:148060. [PMID: 34119782 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.148060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2021] [Revised: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/23/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
As global production of textiles rapidly grows, there is urgency to understand the persistence of fabrics in the marine environment, particularly from the microfibers they shed during wearing and washing. Here, we show that fabrics containing polyester (one of the most common plastics) remained relatively intact (viz., with a limited biofilm) after >200 days in seawater off the Scripps Oceanography pier (La Jolla, CA), in contrast to wood-based cellulose fabrics that fell apart within 30 days. We also show similar results under experimental aquaria (in open circuit with the pier waters) as well as bioreactor settings (in close circuit, using microbial inoculum from the North Sea, off Belgium), using nonwoven fabrics and individual fibers, respectively. The fact that fibers released from synthetic textiles remain persistent and non-biodegradable despite their small (invisible) size, highlights concern for the growing industry that uses polyester from recycled plastics to make clothing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah-Jeanne Royer
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Kara Wiggin
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | | | - Dimitri D Deheyn
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.
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17
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Lavers JL, Rivers-Auty J, Bond AL. Plastic debris increases circadian temperature extremes in beach sediments. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2021; 416:126140. [PMID: 34492929 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.126140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2021] [Revised: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Plastic pollution is the focus of substantial scientific and public interest, leading many to believe the issue is well documented and managed, with effective mitigation in place. However, many aspects are poorly understood, including fundamental questions relating to the scope and severity of impacts (e.g., demographic consequences at the population level). Plastics accumulate in significant quantities on beaches globally, yet the consequences for these terrestrial environments are largely unknown. Using real world, in situ measurements of circadian thermal fluctuations of beach sediment on Henderson Island and Cocos (Keeling) Islands, we demonstrate that plastics increase circadian temperature extremes. Particular plastic levels were associated with increases in daily maximum temperatures of 2.45°C and decreases of daily minimum by - 1.50°C at 5 cm depth below the accumulated plastic. Mass of surface plastic was high on both islands (Henderson: 571 ± 197 g/m2; Cocos: 3164 ± 1989 g/m2), but did not affect thermal conductivity, specific heat capacity, thermal diffusivity, or moisture content of beach sediments. Therefore, we suggest plastic effects sediment temperatures by altering thermal inputs and outputs (e.g., infrared radiation absorption). The resulting circadian temperature fluctuations have potentially significant implications for terrestrial ectotherms, many of which have narrow thermal tolerance limits and are functionally important in beach habitats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer L Lavers
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Battery Point, TAS 7004, Australia.
| | - Jack Rivers-Auty
- Tasmanian School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7000, Australia
| | - Alexander L Bond
- Bird Group, Department of Life Sciences, The Natural History Museum, Tring, Hertfordshire HP23 6AP, United Kingdom
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18
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Current Progress on Marine Microplastics Pollution Research: A Review on Pollution Occurrence, Detection, and Environmental Effects. WATER 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/w13121713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Recently, microplastics pollution has attracted much attention in the environmental field, as researchers have found traces of microplastics in both marine and terrestrial ecological environments. Here, we reviewed and discussed the current progress on microplastics pollution in the marine environment from three main aspects including their identification and qualification methods, source and distribution, and fate and toxicity in a marine ecosystem. Microplastics in the marine environment originate from a variety of sources and distribute broadly all around the world, but their quantitative information is still lacking. Up to now, there have been no adequate and standard methods to identify and quantify the various types of microplastics, which need to be developed and unified. The fate of microplastics in the environment is particularly important as they may be transferred or accumulated in the biological chain. Meanwhile, microplastics may have a high adsorption capacity to pollutants, which is the basic research to further study their fate and joint toxicity in the environment. Therefore, all the findings are expected to fill the knowledge gaps in microplastics pollution and promote the development of relative regulations.
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19
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Devlin MJ, Lyons BP, Johnson JE, Hills JM. The tropical Pacific Oceanscape: Current issues, solutions and future possibilities. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2021; 166:112181. [PMID: 33676108 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112181] [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: 01/28/2021] [Revised: 02/11/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Marine ecosystems across the world's largest ocean - the Pacific Ocean - are being increasingly affected by stressors such as pollution, overfishing, ocean acidification, coastal development and warming events coupled with rising sea levels and increasing frequency of extreme weather. These anthropogenic-driven stressors, which operate cumulatively at varying spatial and temporal scales, are leading to ongoing and pervasive degradation of many marine ecosystems in the Pacific Island region. The effects of global warming and ocean acidification threaten much of the region and impact on the socio-cultural, environmental, economic and human health components of many Pacific Island nations. Simultaneously, resilience to climate change is being reduced as systems are overburdened by other stressors, such as marine and land-based pollution and unsustainable fishing. Consequently, it is important to understand the vulnerability of this region to future environmental scenarios and determine to what extent management actions can help protect, and rebuild ecosystem resilience and maintain ecosystem service provision. This Special Issue of papers explores many of these pressures through case studies across the Pacific Island region, and the impacts of individual and cumulative pressures on the condition, resilience and survival of ecosystems and the communities that depend on them. The papers represent original work from across the tropical Pacific oceanscape, an area that includes 22 Pacific Island countries and territories plus Hawaii and the Philippines. The 39 papers within provide insights on anthropogenic pressures and habitat responses at local, national, and regional scales. The themes range from coastal water quality and human health, assessment of status and trends for marine habitats (e.g. seagrass and coral reefs), and the interaction of local pressures (pollution, overfishing) with increasing temperatures and climate variability. Studies within the Special Issue highlight how local actions, monitoring, tourism values, management, policy and incentives can encourage adaptation to anthropogenic impacts. Conclusions identify possible solutions to support sustainable and harmonious environment and social systems in the unique Pacific Island oceanscape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle J Devlin
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), Lowestoft Laboratory, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft NR330HT, Suffolk, UK; CCSUS, University of East Anglia, Norwich, Norwich, Norfolk, UK; TropWater, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia.
| | - Brett P Lyons
- Cefas, Weymouth Laboratory, Barrack Road, Weymouth DT4 8UB, Dorset, UK
| | - Johanna E Johnson
- C2O Pacific, Port Vila, Vanuatu & Cairns, Australia; College of Science & Engineering, James Cook University, Queensland, Australia
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