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Gao H, Yu R, Gong Y, Chen X, Li Y, Liu B, Gan Q. Diversity but not abundance of ingested plastics changes with ontogenetic dietary shift: Stable isotope insights into plastic contamination in a mesopelagic predator longnose lancetfish Alepisaurus ferox. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 208:116910. [PMID: 39255673 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2024] [Revised: 08/16/2024] [Accepted: 08/28/2024] [Indexed: 09/12/2024]
Abstract
We employed Fourier infrared spectroscopy, laser infrared technology, and stable isotope analysis to investigate the relationships between characteristics of ingested plastics and size-related feeding ecology of a mesopelagic predator, longnose lancetfish Alepisaurus ferox. Plastics were detected in 81.48 % of specimens, up to 8.81 ± 8.29 items/individual and 0.59 ± 0.66 items/g wet weight of intestine, and were sized 20.00 μm to 6.50 cm. The majority were granules and fragments in shape, and polystyrene and acrylate copolymer in polymer type. The diversity indices exhibited a correlation with trophic position and body size groups, emphasizing that the ontogenetic dietary shift of A. ferox may influence the diversity of plastics ingested. This study provides new insights into the plastic pathways linking epipelagic and mesopelagic food webs and demonstrates that biochemical ecological tracers can effectively indicate the bioavailability of plastic correlated with growth in mesopelagic predator.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huachen Gao
- College of Marine Living Resource Sciences and Management, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ruoyang Yu
- College of Marine Living Resource Sciences and Management, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi Gong
- College of Marine Living Resource Sciences and Management, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China; Key Laboratory of Sustainable Exploitation of Oceanic Fisheries Resources, Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China; National Engineering Research Centre for Oceanic Fisheries, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China; Key Laboratory of Oceanic Fisheries Exploration, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shanghai, China.
| | - Xinjun Chen
- College of Marine Living Resource Sciences and Management, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China; Key Laboratory of Sustainable Exploitation of Oceanic Fisheries Resources, Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China; National Engineering Research Centre for Oceanic Fisheries, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China; Key Laboratory of Oceanic Fisheries Exploration, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shanghai, China
| | - Yunkai Li
- College of Marine Living Resource Sciences and Management, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China; Key Laboratory of Sustainable Exploitation of Oceanic Fisheries Resources, Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China; National Engineering Research Centre for Oceanic Fisheries, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China; Key Laboratory of Oceanic Fisheries Exploration, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shanghai, China
| | - Bilin Liu
- College of Marine Living Resource Sciences and Management, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China; Key Laboratory of Sustainable Exploitation of Oceanic Fisheries Resources, Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China; National Engineering Research Centre for Oceanic Fisheries, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China; Key Laboratory of Oceanic Fisheries Exploration, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shanghai, China
| | - Qinyuan Gan
- College of Marine Living Resource Sciences and Management, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
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Wang MH, Chen CF, Lim YC, Albarico FPJB, Tsai WP, Chen CW, Dong CD. Microplastics and phthalate esters contamination in top oceanic predators: A study on multiple shark species in the Pacific Ocean. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 206:116769. [PMID: 39059223 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116769] [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: 02/28/2024] [Revised: 07/01/2024] [Accepted: 07/22/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
Marine organisms, especially top predators such as sharks, are susceptible to environmental pollutants like microplastics (MPs) and phthalate esters (PAEs), leading to ecosystem risks. Research on contamination in these apex species is, however, still limited. This study investigated MPs and PAEs in multiple shark species (Isurus oxyrinchus, Alopias superciliosus, Alopias pelagicus, Carcharhinus brevipinna, and Sphyrna zygaena) off Taiwan's eastern coast. Gastric tissue analyses revealed ubiquitous microplastics (2-31 particles), which positively correlated with body lengths and weights for Isurus oxyrinchus. Blue, fiber-shaped (1-2 mm), and rayon-based MPs are likely associated with textile fiber pollution. The PAEs concentration mean was 7035 ± 6829 ng/g, ww, having DEHP and DiNP as primary compounds. This study highlights pervasive contamination in Pacific Ocean sharks, emphasizing anthropogenic impact on top oceanic predators and providing essential insights for food safety and MP accumulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming-Huang Wang
- Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, College of Hydrosphere Science, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Feng Chen
- Department of Marine Environmental Engineering, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung City 81157, Taiwan
| | - Yee Cheng Lim
- Department of Marine Environmental Engineering, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung City 81157, Taiwan
| | - Frank Paolo Jay B Albarico
- Department of Marine Environmental Engineering, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung City 81157, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Pei Tsai
- Department of Fisheries Production and Management, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung 81157, Taiwan
| | - Chiu-Wen Chen
- Department of Marine Environmental Engineering, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung City 81157, Taiwan.
| | - Cheng-Di Dong
- Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, College of Hydrosphere Science, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan; Department of Marine Environmental Engineering, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung City 81157, Taiwan.
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Mboglen D, Gong Y, Guo Z, Ngo Nola D, Li Y. First report of plastic and non-plastic microparticles in stomach of slandertail lanternshark and shortspine spurdog from the edge of East China Sea. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 204:116531. [PMID: 38823373 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116531] [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: 03/21/2024] [Revised: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/03/2024]
Abstract
This study investigates the presence of plastic and non-plastic microparticles in the gastrointestinal tracts of two deep-sea sharks, Etmopterus molleri (n = 118) and Squalus mitsukurii (n = 6), bycatch from the East China Sea continental shelf. We found a total of 117 microparticles, predominantly fibres (67.52 %), with blue (31.62 %) and black (23.94 %) being the most prevalent colours. E. molleri contained 70 microparticles (0.63 ± 0.93 items/shark), 61.42 % non-plastics like viscose and cotton, while plastics included polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, and acrylic. Despite S. mitsukurii's limited sample size, the results show that it takes in a lot of microparticles (47 microparticles, 7.83 ± 2.64 items/shark), 57.44 % non-plastics (viscose, cotton, and ethyl cellulose), and 42.56 % plastics. A positive correlation between microparticle presence and total length was observed for E. molleri. These results provide initial data on microparticle ingestion by these species, highlighting potential ecological risks and trophic transfer implications in deep-sea ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Mboglen
- College of Marine Living Resources and Management, Shanghai Ocean University, 999 Huchenghuan Rd., Shanghai, China; Institute of Research for Agriculture and Development (IRAD), Specialized Research Station on Marine Ecosystems, Antenne d'Ebodjé, 219 Kribi, Cameroon
| | - Yi Gong
- College of Marine Living Resources and Management, Shanghai Ocean University, 999 Huchenghuan Rd., Shanghai, China; The key Laboratory of Sustainable Exploitation of Oceanic Fisheries Resources, Ministry of Education, 999 Huchenghuan Rd., Shanghai, China; National Engineering Research Centre for Oceanic Fisheries, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Zehao Guo
- College of Marine Living Resources and Management, Shanghai Ocean University, 999 Huchenghuan Rd., Shanghai, China
| | - Dorine Ngo Nola
- College of Marine Living Resources and Management, Shanghai Ocean University, 999 Huchenghuan Rd., Shanghai, China
| | - Yunkai Li
- College of Marine Living Resources and Management, Shanghai Ocean University, 999 Huchenghuan Rd., Shanghai, China; The key Laboratory of Sustainable Exploitation of Oceanic Fisheries Resources, Ministry of Education, 999 Huchenghuan Rd., Shanghai, China; National Engineering Research Centre for Oceanic Fisheries, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China.
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Lu HC, Smith JL, Ziajahromi S, Leusch FDL. Microplastics and other anthropogenic fibres in large apex shark species: Abundance, characteristics, and recommendations for future research. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 349:140957. [PMID: 38128742 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.140957] [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: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 12/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics and microfibres are found ubiquitously in global oceans as well as marine organisms from different trophic levels. However, little is known about the presence of microplastics and microfibres in marine megafauna, such as sharks. This study provided the first investigation of the presence of microplastics and other anthropogenic fibres (i.e., cellulose based fibres) in intestine and muscle samples of four large apex shark species in Australian coastal waters. Microplastics and other anthropogenic fibres were found in 82% of the analysed intestine samples. The mean abundance in intestine samples was 3.1 ± 2.6 particles/individual, which corresponded to 0.03 ± 0.02 particles/g of intestine, across all shark species. The size of particles ranged from 190 to 4860 μm in length with 92% being fibrous in shape and the rest fragments. FTIR spectroscopy identified that 70% of fibres were cellulose-based followed by polyethylene terephthalate (PET), while the fragments were polyethylene and polypropylene. In shark muscles, 60% of samples contained microplastics and other anthropogenic fibres, again with the majority being cellulose-based fibres followed by PET fibres. Methodological differences hinder a more comprehensive assessment of microplastic contamination across studies. Additionally, we identified some challenges which should be factored in for future studies looking at the presence of microplastics as well as other anthropogenic fibres in these large marine organisms. Overall, the findings provide first evidence of microplastics and other anthropogenic fibres not only in the intestines, but also in muscle tissues of large apex shark species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsuan-Cheng Lu
- Australian Rivers Institute, School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, Southport QLD 4222, Australia.
| | - Julia L Smith
- Australian Rivers Institute, School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, Southport QLD 4222, Australia
| | - Shima Ziajahromi
- Australian Rivers Institute, School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, Southport QLD 4222, Australia
| | - Frederic D L Leusch
- Australian Rivers Institute, School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, Southport QLD 4222, Australia
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Gong Y, Huang X, Li Z, Shen Y, Li Y, Zhu J, Wu F. Plastic ingestion and trophic transfer in an endangered top predator, the longfin mako shark (Isurus paucus), from the tropical western Pacific Ocean. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:107365-107370. [PMID: 36710310 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-25532-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Plastic pollution has become a global environmental problem of major concern. However, the plastic contamination in the marine top predators, particularly in endangered species, is incompletely understood because of the limited amount of data on their presence in the digestive system and prey. This study investigated the stomach contents of an endangered but poorly known shark species, the longfin mako shark (Isurus paucus), found in the tropical western Pacific Ocean. We examined the plastics in this female specimen (1.22-m fork length) and her prey to assess the potential for trophic transfer of microplastics. Polypropylene bottle cap and lollipop packaging, longnose lancetfish (Alepisaurus ferox), and squid were found in the stomach of I. paucus, while no apparent internal injuries were noted. The microplastic fragments and granules, confirmed by laser direct infrared spectroscopy, were found in the digestive system of the intact squid ingested by I. paucus, suggesting that trophic transfer may occur between shark and prey. These results indicate that I. paucus is vulnerable to plastic ingestion and provide evidence of trophic transfer of microplastics in shark species. Our study emphasizes the need to evaluate the potential ecotoxicological consequences of increasing plastic pollution to endangered marine top predators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Gong
- College of Marine Sciences, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China.
- Key Laboratory of Sustainable Exploitation of Oceanic Fisheries Resources, Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China.
- National Engineering Research Centre for Oceanic Fisheries, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China.
- Key Laboratory of Oceanic Fisheries Exploration, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shanghai, China.
| | - Xuemin Huang
- College of Marine Sciences, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zezheng Li
- College of Marine Sciences, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yongfu Shen
- College of Marine Sciences, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yunkai Li
- College of Marine Sciences, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Sustainable Exploitation of Oceanic Fisheries Resources, Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China
- National Engineering Research Centre for Oceanic Fisheries, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Oceanic Fisheries Exploration, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiangfeng Zhu
- College of Marine Sciences, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Sustainable Exploitation of Oceanic Fisheries Resources, Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China
- National Engineering Research Centre for Oceanic Fisheries, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Oceanic Fisheries Exploration, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shanghai, China
| | - Feng Wu
- College of Marine Sciences, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Sustainable Exploitation of Oceanic Fisheries Resources, Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China
- National Engineering Research Centre for Oceanic Fisheries, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Oceanic Fisheries Exploration, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shanghai, China
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Gurumoorthi K, Luis AJ. Recent trends on microplastics abundance and risk assessment in coastal Antarctica: Regional meta-analysis. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 324:121385. [PMID: 36868550 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
We investigated sources, abundance and risk of microplastics (MPs) in water, sediments and biota around Antarctica. The concentration of MPs in Southern Ocean (SO) ranged from 0 to 0.56 items/m3 (mean = 0.01 items/m3) and 0-1.96 items/m3 (mean = 0.13 items/m3) in surface and sub-surface water. The distribution of fibers in water was 50%, sediments were 61%, and biota had 43%, which were followed by fragments in the water (42%), sediments (26%), and biota (28%). Shapes of film had lowest concentrations in water (2%), sediments 13%), and biota (3%). Ship traffic, drift of MPs by currents, and untreated waste water discharge contributed to the variety of MPs. The degree of pollution in all matrices was evaluated using the pollution load index (PLI), polymer hazard index (PHI), and potential ecological risk index (PERI). PLI at about 90.3% of locations were at category I followed by 5.9% at category II, 1.6% at category III, and 2.2% at category IV. Average PLI for water (3.14), sediments (6.6), and biota (2.72) had low pollution load (<10). Mean PHI for water, sediments, and biota showed hazards level V with a higher percentage of 84.6% (>1000) and 63.9% (PHI:0-1) in sediments and water, respectively. PERI for water showed 63.9% minor risk, and 36.1% extreme risk. Around 84.6% of sediments were at extreme risk, 7.7% faced minor risk, and 7.7% were at high risk. While 20% of marine organisms living in cold environments experienced minor risk, 20% were in high risk, and 60% were in extreme risk. Highest PERI was found in the water, sediments, and biota in Ross Sea, due to high hazardous polymer composition of polyvinylchloride (PVC) in the water and sediments due to human activity, particularly use of personnel care products and waste water discharge from research stations.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Gurumoorthi
- National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Headland Sada, Goa, 403 804, India
| | - Alvarinho J Luis
- National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Headland Sada, Goa, 403 804, India.
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