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Belli IM, Cavali M, Garbossa LHP, Franco D, Bayard R, de Castilhos Junior AB. A review of plastic debris in the South American Atlantic Ocean coast - Distribution, characteristics, policies and legal aspects. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 938:173197. [PMID: 38772490 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Revised: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 05/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024]
Abstract
The presence of plastics in the oceans has already become a pervasive phenomenon. Marine pollution by plastics surpasses the status of an emerging threat to become a well-established environmental problem, boosting research on this topic. However, despite many studies on the main seas and oceans, it is necessary to compile information on the South American Atlantic Ocean Coast to identify the lack of research and expand knowledge on marine plastic pollution in this region. Accordingly, this paper conducted an in-depth review of monitoring methods, sampling, and identification of macroplastics and microplastics (MPs) in water, sediments, and biota, including information on legal requirements from different countries as well as non-governmental initiatives. Brazil was the country with the highest number of published papers, followed by Argentina. MPs accounted for 75 % of the papers selected, with blue microfibers being the most common morphology, whereas PE and PP were the most abundant polymers. Also, a lack of standardization in the methodologies used was identified; however, the sites with the highest concentrations of MPs were the Bahía Blanca Estuary (Argentina), Guanabara Bay (Brazil), and Todos os Santos Bay (Brazil), regardless of the method applied. Regarding legislation, Uruguay and Argentina have the most advanced policies in the region against marine plastic pollution due to their emphasis on the life cycle and the national ban on certain single-use plastics. Therefore, considering its content, this expert review can be useful to assist researchers dealing with plastic pollution along the South American Atlantic Ocean Coast.
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Affiliation(s)
- Igor Marcon Belli
- Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering, Federal University of Santa Catarina, 88040-900 Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil.
| | - Matheus Cavali
- Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering, Federal University of Santa Catarina, 88040-900 Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | | | - Davide Franco
- Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering, Federal University of Santa Catarina, 88040-900 Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Rémy Bayard
- INSA Lyon, DEEP, UR7429, 69621 Villeurbanne, France
| | - Armando Borges de Castilhos Junior
- Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering, Federal University of Santa Catarina, 88040-900 Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
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2
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Barry PJ, Silburn B, Bakir A, Russell J, Tidbury HJ. Seafloor macrolitter as a settling platform for non-native species: A case study from UK waters. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 204:116499. [PMID: 38796991 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116499] [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: 03/15/2024] [Revised: 05/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Marine litter is increasingly recognised as a vector for the spread of non-native species (NNS). However, our understanding of its role in the propagation of NNS in UK waters remains limited. As part of the Clean Seas Environmental Monitoring Programme, we opportunistically analysed seafloor macrolitter items trawled from various locations around the coast of England and Wales and examined each for the presence of NNS. Of the 41 litter items analysed, we identified a total of 133 taxa, including two non-native and four cryptogenic species. This confirms that NNS are settling on seafloor macrolitter in UK waters and that these can be detected using morphological taxonomic analysis. Furthermore, we propose a methodology to classify litter based on size, rugosity and polymer/material type to explore whether there were detectable patterns governing community composition and litter characteristics. This exploratory investigation provides evidence to inform future risk assessments of NNS vectors and pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- P J Barry
- Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft NR33 0HT, United Kingdom.
| | - B Silburn
- Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft NR33 0HT, United Kingdom.
| | - A Bakir
- Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft NR33 0HT, United Kingdom.
| | - J Russell
- Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft NR33 0HT, United Kingdom.
| | - H J Tidbury
- Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Barrack Road, Weymouth DT4 8UB, United Kingdom.
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3
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Gunasekaran K, Mghili B, De-la-Torre GE, Sompongchaiyakul P, Rangel-Buitrago N, Wang X, Charoenpong C. First record of plastiglomerates, pyroplastics and plasticrusts along the beaches of Tamilnadu, Southeast coast of India. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 205:116594. [PMID: 38875967 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2024] [Revised: 06/10/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/16/2024]
Abstract
Plastic litter affects coastal and marine ecosystems globally. This study represents the first record of pyroplastics and plasticrust in the beaches of Tamil Nadu, India. All samples were FTIR spectroscopically examined to confirm the polymer composition of the suspected plastics. The 16 plastic formations were found in TamilNadu, including six plastiglomerates nine pyroplastics and one plasticrust. Five types of polymers (PET, PP, PVC, PA, and PE) were found on the plastic matrices. The study also revealed that pyroplastics and plasticrust formed by degradation of plastics through weathering in the coastal environment. The present study also found that four types of marine fouling organisms such as oyster larvae, bryozoan, barnacle and polychaete worm were encrusted on the two pyroplastics. The emergence of these new forms of plastic raises concerns about their interactions with the environment and biota.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kannan Gunasekaran
- Department of Marine Science, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Bilal Mghili
- LESCB, URL-CNRST N 18, Abdelmalek Essaadi University, Faculty of Sciences, Tetouan, Morocco
| | - Gabriel Enrique De-la-Torre
- Grupo de Investigación de Biodiversidad, Medio Ambiente y Sociedad, Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola, Lima, Peru
| | - Penjai Sompongchaiyakul
- Department of Marine Science, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand.
| | - Nelson Rangel-Buitrago
- Programade Fisica, Facultad de Ciencias Basicas, Universidad del Atlantico, Barranquilla, Atlantico, Colombia
| | - Xianfeng Wang
- Asian School of the Environment, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
| | - Chawalit Charoenpong
- Department of Marine Science, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
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4
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Abelouah MR, Ben-Haddad M, Hajji S, Nouj N, Ouheddou M, Mghili B, De-la-Torre GE, Costa LL, Banni M, Ait Alla A. Exploring marine biofouling on anthropogenic litter in the Atlantic coastline of Morocco. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 199:115938. [PMID: 38141584 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115938] [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: 10/01/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/25/2023]
Abstract
Today, the world is increasingly concerned about marine litter and its interaction with marine biodiversity. However, knowledge concerning the fouling organisms associated with marine litter is very limited in many of the world's marine environments. In this survey, we investigated biofouling on different types of marine litter washed up on all the coasts of the central Atlantic of Morocco. The findings revealed 21 fouling species belonging to 9 phyla (Arthropoda, Mollusca, Echinodermata, Annelida, Bryozoa, Porifera, Chlorophyta, Ochrophyta, and Ascomycota). More specifically, frequently observed fouling species include Mytilus galloprovincialis, Balanus laevis, Megabalanus coccopoma, and Pollicipes pollicipes species. Large marine litter items recorded the highest colonization of marine organisms in comparison to small ones. The frequency of occurrence (FO) of the species most commonly fouled on all coasts was Perforatus perforatus (FO = 48.60), followed by Mytilus galloprovincialis (FO = 45.80), Balanus trigonus (FO = 32.05), Balanus laevis (FO = 30.25), Megabalanus coccopoma (FO = 25.25), Bryozoa species (FO = 19.40), Spirobranchus triqueter (FO = 18.18), Lepas pectinata (FO = 14.45), and Pollicipes pollicipes (FO = 13.05). The majority of the species registered in this study are sessile. Substrate coverage by fouling taxa was significantly different between plastic substrate and other types of marine litter. Likewise, this study revealed that the proportion of fouling organisms is higher on rough surfaces. Overall, this research could be crucial to understanding the little-known subject of marine litter and its colonization by marine biota. Given that these marine litters can act as vectors and cause ecological, biogeographical, and conservation issues in the marine environment, minimizing the quantity of anthropogenic litter reaching the Moroccan Atlantic could significantly reduce its accumulation on the sea surface and seabed, thereby reducing the risk of invasion by non-indigenous species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Rida Abelouah
- Laboratory of Aquatic Systems: Marine and Continental Environments (AQUAMAR), Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Zohr University, Agadir, Morocco.
| | - Mohamed Ben-Haddad
- Laboratory of Aquatic Systems: Marine and Continental Environments (AQUAMAR), Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Zohr University, Agadir, Morocco.
| | - Sara Hajji
- Laboratory of Aquatic Systems: Marine and Continental Environments (AQUAMAR), Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Zohr University, Agadir, Morocco.
| | - Nisrine Nouj
- Material and Environmental Laboratory (LME), Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Zohr University, Agadir 80000, Morocco.
| | - Maryam Ouheddou
- Laboratory of Aquatic Systems: Marine and Continental Environments (AQUAMAR), Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Zohr University, Agadir, Morocco.
| | - Bilal Mghili
- LESCB, URL-CNRST N° 18, Abdelmalek Essaadi University, Faculty of Sciences, Tetouan, Morocco.
| | - Gabriel Enrique De-la-Torre
- Grupo de Investigación de Biodiversidad, Medio Ambiente y Sociedad, Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola, Lima, Peru.
| | - Leonardo Lopes Costa
- Laboratório de Ciências Ambientais, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Avenida Alberto Lamego, 2000, Campos dos Goytacazes CEP, Rio de Janeiro 28013-602, Brazil.
| | - Mohamed Banni
- Laboratory of Agrobio diversity and Ecotoxicology LR20AGR02, ISA, University of Sousse, Tunisia; Higher Institute of Biotechnology, ISBM, University of Monastir, Tunisia.
| | - Aicha Ait Alla
- Laboratory of Aquatic Systems: Marine and Continental Environments (AQUAMAR), Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Zohr University, Agadir, Morocco.
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Kannan G, Mghili B, Di Martino E, Sanchez-Vidal A, Figuerola B. Increasing risk of invasions by organisms on marine debris in the Southeast coast of India. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 195:115469. [PMID: 37703630 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/27/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023]
Abstract
Increasing amount of anthropogenic litter in the marine environment has provided an enormous number of substrates for a wide range of marine organisms, thus serving as a potential vector for the transport of fouling organisms. Here, we examined the fouling organisms on different types of stranded litter (plastic, glass, rubber, foam sponge, cloth, metal and wood) on eight beaches along the southeast coast of India. In total, 17 encrusting species belonging to seven phyla (Arthropoda, Bryozoa, Mollusca, Annelida, Cnidaria, Chlorophyta and Foraminifera) were identified on 367 items, with one invasive species, the mussel Mytella strigata, detected. The most common species associated with marine litter were the cosmopolitan bryozoans Jellyella tuberculata (%O = 31.64 %) and J. eburnea (28.61 %), the barnacle species Lepas anserifera (29.97 %), Amphibalanus amphitrite (22.34 %) and Amphibalanus sp. (14.16 %), and the oyster species Saccostrea cucullata (13.62 %) and Magallana bilineata (5.44 %). We also reported the first records on stranded litter of four species: the gastropod species Pirenella cingulata and Umbonium vestiarium, the foraminiferan Ammonia beccarii, and the oyster M. bilineata. This study is thus the first documentation of marine litter as a vector for species dispersal in India, where the production and consumption of plastic rank among the highest in the world. We also highlight the increasing risk of invasions by non-indigenous organisms attached to debris along the southeast coast of India. Comprehensive monitoring efforts are thus needed to elucidate the type of vectors responsible for the arrival of invasive species in this region. Raising awareness and promoting education are vital components in fostering sustainable solutions to combat plastic pollution in the country and globally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gunasekaran Kannan
- Centre for Aquaculture, Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai 600 119, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Bilal Mghili
- LESCB, URL-CNRST N° 18, Abdelmalek Essaadi University, Faculty of Sciences, Tetouan, Morocco
| | - Emanuela Di Martino
- Natural History Museum, University of Oslo - Blindern, P.O. Box 1172, Oslo 0318, Norway
| | - Anna Sanchez-Vidal
- GRC Geociències Marines, Departament de Dinàmica de la Terra i de l'Oceà, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona 08028, Spain
| | - 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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Mghili B, De-la-Torre GE, Aksissou M. Assessing the potential for the introduction and spread of alien species with marine litter. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 191:114913. [PMID: 37068344 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.114913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 04/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
The introduction and transport of marine invasive species into new environments are a great threat to biodiversity and ecosystem services with potential economic repercussions. There are several routes and mechanisms by which alien species are transported and dispersed in the marine environment (shipping, waterways, and aquaculture). Each year, millions of tons of plastic enter the ocean. The presence of floating marine litter in marine environments provides a substrate for marine organisms and may increase the potential for the transport of alien species. Research on the role of marine litter in the introduction of alien marine species has grown exponentially in recent years. In this study, studies examining the transport and dispersal of alien species by marine litter are reviewed. In this review, we identified 67 alien species associated with marine litter. The most recurrent alien phyla found on marine litter are Arthropoda (29 %), Mollusca (23 %), Bryozoa (19 %), Annelida (7 %) and Cnidaria (5 %). Plastic appears to be more efficient in transporting alien species than by natural means. Their characteristics (buoyancy and persistence) allow them to be widely dispersed throughout all ocean compartments. Thus, plastics may act as a primary vector, carrying organisms to remote areas but can also facilitate the secondary spread of alien species between points of invasion. Despite the growing number of studies on this subject, much work remains to be done to understand the roles of plastics in the introduction of alien species and to develop solutions to mitigate the issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bilal Mghili
- LESCB, URL-CNRST N 18, Abdelmalek Essaadi University, Faculty of Sciences, Tetouan, Morocco.
| | - Gabriel Enrique De-la-Torre
- Grupo de Investigación de Biodiversidad, Medio Ambiente y Sociedad, Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola, Lima, Peru
| | - Mustapha Aksissou
- LESCB, URL-CNRST N 18, Abdelmalek Essaadi University, Faculty of Sciences, Tetouan, Morocco
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7
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Valderrama-Herrera M, Cardenas SA, Calvo-Mac C, Celi-Vértiz RG, Chumpitaz-Levano VL, Flores-Miranda WE, Lopez-Tirado ZMT, Molina-Alvarez M, Rubio-Cheon DN, Trucios-Castro M, Fernández Severini MD, Forero López AD, Ramos W, Pretell V, Castro IB, Ribeiro VV, Dobaradaran S, Espinoza-Morriberón D, Ben-Haddad M, Dioses-Salinas DC, De-la-Torre GE. Rajids ovipositing on marine litter: A potential threat to their survival. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 191:114941. [PMID: 37080019 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.114941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 04/08/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Marine litter is a complex environmental issue threatening the well-being of multiple organisms. In the present study, we present an overlooked pathway by which marine litter interaction with certain ovigerous skates (Family: Rajidae) communities could compromise their survival. We propose that skates from the genus Sympterygia deposit their egg capsules on marine litter substrates by accident, which are then washed ashore still unhatched. We conducted 10 monitoring surveys on three beaches of La Libertad Region, on the north coast of Peru, looking for marine litter conglomerates to determine the presence of egg capsules. We registered a total of 75 marine litter conglomerates, containing 1595 egg capsules, out of which only 15.9 % were presumably hatched, and 15.8 % were still fresh. Fishing materials were identified as the main item in marine litter conglomerates. We conclude that this behavior could contribute to the decline of Sympterygia communities, although further research is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sara Amada Cardenas
- ONG Conservacción, Calle Ugarte y Moscoso 535, San Isidro, Lima, Peru; Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Av. Honorio Delgado 430, San Martín de Porres, Lima, Peru
| | - Carlos Calvo-Mac
- ONG Conservacción, Calle Ugarte y Moscoso 535, San Isidro, Lima, Peru
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Melisa D Fernández Severini
- Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía (IADO), CONICET/UNS, CCT-Bahía Blanca, Camino La Carrindanga, km 7.5, Edificio E1, Bahía Blanca B8000FWB, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Ana D Forero López
- Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía (IADO), CONICET/UNS, CCT-Bahía Blanca, Camino La Carrindanga, km 7.5, Edificio E1, Bahía Blanca B8000FWB, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Williams Ramos
- Universidad Nacional de Ingeniería, Av. Túpac Amaru 210, Lima 25, Lima, Peru
| | - Victor Pretell
- Universidad Nacional de Ingeniería, Av. Túpac Amaru 210, Lima 25, Lima, Peru
| | - Italo B Castro
- Institute of Oceanography, Universidade Federal Do Rio Grande, Brazil; Instituto do Mar Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Santos, SP 11070, Brazil
| | | | - Sina Dobaradaran
- Systems Environmental Health and Energy Research Center, The Persian Gulf Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran; Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Faculty of Health and Nutrition, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran; Instrumental Analytical Chemistry and Centre for Water and Environmental Research (ZWU), Faculty of Chemistry, University of Duisburg-Essen, Universitätsstr. 5, Essen, Germany
| | - Dante Espinoza-Morriberón
- Universidad Tecnológica del Perú (UTP), Facultad de Ingeniería, Jirón Hernán Velarde 260, Cercado de Lima, 15046 Lima, Peru; Universidad Científica del Sur, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias y Biológicas, Carrera de Biología Marina, Antigua Panamericana Sur Km. 19, Villa El Salvador, Lima, Peru
| | - Mohamed Ben-Haddad
- Laboratory of Aquatic Systems, Marine and Continental Environments (AQUAMAR), Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Zohr University, Agadir 80000, Morocco
| | | | - Gabriel Enrique De-la-Torre
- Grupo de Investigación de Biodiversidad, Medio Ambiente y Sociedad, Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola, Lima, Peru.
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Brandler KG, Carlton JT. First report of marine debris as a species dispersal vector in the temperate Northwest Atlantic Ocean. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 188:114631. [PMID: 36706547 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.114631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
We provide the first report of the role of marine debris in transporting native and introduced species in the temperate Northwest Atlantic Ocean. Plastic was the most frequent biofouled material. Thirty-three attached species (five non-native) were found on rafted debris, 16 of which have not been previously reported as rafters. Forty-six percent of the attached invertebrate rafters (including three of the introduced species, the bryozoans Fenestrulina delicia and Tricellaria inopinata and the spirorbid Janua heterostropha) detected in this study reproduce by either direct development or produce larvae of short-term planktonic existence, suggesting that rafting on long-term, non-biodegradable debris may enhance their dispersal potential. We suggest that a prominent non-native species, the green alga Codium fragile fragile, may play a previously undetected role in the transport of marine debris and associated biofouling. Marine debris may further be a potentially significant source of biodiversity records; we detected two bryozoan species in our study region that were either previously unknown or had not been found for >75 years.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - James T Carlton
- Ocean & Coastal Studies Program, Williams College-Mystic Seaport, Mystic, CT 06355, USA.
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De-la-Torre GE, Valderrama-Herrera M, Urizar Garfias Reyes DF, Walker TR. Can oviposition on marine litter pose a threat to marine fishes? MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2022; 185:114375. [PMID: 36401948 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.114375] [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: 10/03/2022] [Revised: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Marine litter colonization is widely investigated as an important pathway for the dispersal of potentially invasive species. However, this phenomenon may be impacting marine biota in other ways as well. In this viewpoint, we express our concerns regarding the potential loss of viable eggs of numerous oviparous fishes deposited on marine litter when large-scale stranding events occur. Our concerns are supported by personal observations of stranded marine litter harboring fresh and viable egg capsules (Sympterygia sp.) and eggs (Family: Blenniidae), as well as reports in the literature. The loss of viable eggs from oviparous fishes is widely overlooked and poorly understood. Based on these knowledge gaps, we make a call for research and propose several research priorities to understand the impact of these events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Enrique De-la-Torre
- Grupo de Investigación de Biodiversidad, Medio Ambiente y Sociedad, Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola, Lima, Peru.
| | | | - Damarisch Fernanda Urizar Garfias Reyes
- Círculo de Investigación en Contaminación por Plásticos, Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina, Lima, Peru; Grupo de Investigación Salud Pública, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Peru
| | - Tony R Walker
- School for Resource and Environmental Studies, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 4R2, Canada
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10
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Mghili B, De-la-Torre GE, Analla M, Aksissou M. Marine macroinvertebrates fouled in marine anthropogenic litter in the Moroccan Mediterranean. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2022; 185:114266. [PMID: 36330936 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.114266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2022] [Revised: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The existence of floating marine litter in marine environments enhances the potential for the transport of fouling organisms using these substrates as vectors. In this study, we examined the fouling organisms on different types of litter stranded on two beaches of the Moroccan Mediterranean. The study revealed 13 fouling species belonging to 8 phyla (Arthropoda, Bryozoa, Annelida, Mollusca, Cnidaria, Echinodermata, Chlorophyta, and Ochrophyta) on marine litter. Rafting vectors were almost exclusively made up of plastics and could mainly be attributed to land-based sources. The most common fouling species were the crustacean Lepas pectinata, Lepas anatifera, Perforatus perforatus, and bryozoan species. More taxa were found on large litter than on small litter. Relative substratum coverage was highest for bryozoan sp. (31.0 %), green algae (29.0 %), Lepas anatifera (21.42 %), Lepas pectinata (17.8 %), and Perforatus perforatus (17.46 %). Our results suggest that the growing generation of plastic litter may enhance the probability of the introduction of non-native species into the Moroccan Mediterranean. Therefore, monitoring efforts are needed to identify vectors and the arrival of novel invasive species in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bilal Mghili
- LESCB, URL-CNRST N° 18, Abdelmalek Essaadi University, Faculty of Sciences, Tetouan, Morocco.
| | - Gabriel Erique De-la-Torre
- Grupo de Investigación de Biodiversidad, Medio Ambiente y Sociedad, Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola, Lima, Peru
| | - Mohamed Analla
- LESCB, URL-CNRST N° 18, Abdelmalek Essaadi University, Faculty of Sciences, Tetouan, Morocco
| | - Mustapha Aksissou
- LESCB, URL-CNRST N° 18, Abdelmalek Essaadi University, Faculty of Sciences, Tetouan, Morocco
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11
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Dioses-Salinas DC, Pizarro-Ortega CI, Dobaradaran S, Ben-Haddad M, De-la-Torre GE. Face masks invading protected areas: Risks and recommendations. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 847:157636. [PMID: 35905957 PMCID: PMC9316628 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.157636] [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: 05/01/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Among the indirect environmental impacts generated by the global COVID-19 pandemic, contamination with personal protective equipment (PPE), like face masks, may be one of the most relevant ones. PPE has been found in multiple aquatic, marine, and terrestrial environments, including places of absolute relevancy to biodiversity conservation, such as protected areas (PAs). Here, a brief report of the presence of PPE in six PAs of Peru is presented. PPE pollution in PAs consisted mainly of single-use and reusable face masks, as well as plastics associated with PAs, such as KN95 respirator wrappings. The mean PPE density was estimated as 1.32 × 10-3 PPE/m2. FTIR spectroscopy confirmed that face masks and wrappers mainly consisted of polypropylene and polyethylene, two of the most commonly available synthetic polymers. The material was poorly degraded according to their FTIR spectra, possibly suggesting that they were discarded recently. The recent ban on single-use plastic in Peruvian PAs is regarded as a great step forward toward the efforts made to preserve these invaluable places. However, these measures seemed insufficient to prevent PPE and other types of litter from contaminating areas of ecological importance. Considering the current scenario, several recommendations were proposed to be implemented in PAs in order to prevent PPE from becoming a new plastic issue to tackle. These recommendations are expected to also serve for future events where the use of single-use plastics becomes inevitable, like global pandemics.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Sina Dobaradaran
- Systems Environmental Health and Energy Research Center, The Persian Gulf Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran; Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Faculty of Health and Nutrition, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran; Instrumental Analytical Chemistry and Centre for Water and Environmental Research (ZWU), Faculty of Chemistry, University of Duisburg-Essen, Universitätsstr. 5, Essen, Germany
| | - Mohamed Ben-Haddad
- Laboratory of Aquatic Systems, Marine and Continental Environments, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Zohr University, Morocco
| | - Gabriel Enrique De-la-Torre
- Grupo de Investigación de Biodiversidad, Medio Ambiente y Sociedad, Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola, Lima, Peru.
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