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Vlachogianni T, Scoullos M. Baseline assessment of macrolitter on the coastline of Algeria: Fit-for-purpose data for tailor-made measures to navigate the Plasticene Age. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 205:116646. [PMID: 38936004 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2024] [Revised: 06/19/2024] [Accepted: 06/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
Curbing the growing threat of marine litter requires reliable, coherent and fit-for-purpose data. The present study reports the findings of beach macrolitter surveys carried out in seventeen sites along the coastline of Algeria. The median litter density recorded along these sites amounted to 578 items per 100 m of coastline (range: 317-2684 items/100 m). Every surveyed beach exceeded the European threshold value of 20 items per 100 m of coastline by a significant margin. In addition, the evaluation conducted employing the Mediterranean threshold value of 130 items per 100 m of coastline indicated that each of the seventeen surveyed beaches resides within the non-Good Environmental Status spectrum. A significant proportion of the litter, accounting for 43 %, is attributed to food and beverage consumption-related items, highlighting the impact of single-use food packaging, including food and beverage containers resulting from unsustainable practices mainly by beach users and inadequate waste management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomais Vlachogianni
- Mediterranean Information Office for Environment, Culture and Sustainable Development (MIO-ECSDE), Athens, Greece.
| | - Michael Scoullos
- Mediterranean Information Office for Environment, Culture and Sustainable Development (MIO-ECSDE), Athens, Greece; Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Athens, Athens, Greece
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2
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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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3
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Gönülal O, Dalyan C, Kesici NB, Aytan Ü. Distribution and composition of seafloor litter and associated macrofouling organisms in the Northeastern Mediterranean Sea. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 202:116328. [PMID: 38642477 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116328] [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: 02/22/2024] [Revised: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/22/2024]
Abstract
Composition, and density of marine litter and associated macrofouling organisms was assessed in the continental shelf of the Northeastern Mediterranean Sea. A total of 943 litter items weighing 388 kg were collected during 34 hauls. Plastic comprised 72 % of the total litter found on the seafloor. The mean number and weight of ML was 4241 ± 1333 items/km2 and 368 ± 87 kg/km2. Depth and distance from the shore were not identified as a significant factor affecting both the number and weight of litter. A total of 20 fouling species and eggs belonging to Mollusca, Porifera, Cnidaria, Bryozoa, Annelida, Arthropoda, and Chordata were found on marine litter. An alien Mollusca species Pinctada imbricate was also found on plastic litter. Our results confirmed that marine litter is a vector transporting a variety of organisms including alien species and being a threat for the biodiversity and human health in the Mediterranean Sea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Onur Gönülal
- Istanbul University, Faculty of Aquatic Sciences, 34134 Istanbul, Türkiye
| | - Cem Dalyan
- Istanbul University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, 34134 Istanbul, Türkiye
| | - Nur Bikem Kesici
- Istanbul University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, 34134 Istanbul, Türkiye
| | - Ülgen Aytan
- Recep Tayyip Erdogan University, Faculty of Fisheries, 53100 Rize, Türkiye.
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4
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Mghili B, Hasni S, Ben-Haddad M, Rangel-Buitrago N, Keznine M, Lamine I, Hamiche FZ, Haddaoui H, Abelouah MR, Demiathi M, Oubahaouali B, Jellal N, Touaf M, Ahannach Y, Hassou N, Cherradi S, Aksissou M. Plastic pollution on Moroccan beaches: Toward baselines for large-scale assessment. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 201:116288. [PMID: 38531205 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116288] [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: 03/05/2024] [Revised: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
In Africa, Morocco is the 10th largest producer of plastic. The severity of this plastic has attracted increasing amounts of attention in the Moroccan Atlantic and Mediterranean in recent years. However, at the national level, there is limited knowledge of plastic pollution. To obtain an exhaustive and comprehensive evaluation of plastic pollution levels in Morocco, large-scale monitoring is needed on all the coasts of the country. In this context, this paper examined the composition, abundance, distribution, source and quality of beaches on two Moroccan coasts using four beach quality indices along 29 beaches. During two seasons, a total of 72,105 items were counted. The mean litter abundance was 0.31 items/m2, and the Mediterranean beaches were more dense than the Atlantic beaches. In particular, litter density was greater in spring (0.35 items/m2) than in summer (0.29 items/m2). The data indicate considerable differences in the density of marine debris according to the seasonality, beach typology and presence of rivers. Hazardous litter items were collected along both Moroccan coasts, constituting 8.41 % of the total collected items, with a mean of 0.026 items/m2. The use of environmental indices allowed us to classify Moroccan beaches as "moderate cleanliness", "moderate abundance" of plastics, "moderately safe" presence of hazardous litter and "mediocre" environmental status. The findings of the present study indicate that the sources of litter on both Moroccan coasts come mainly from recreational activities and dumping. The waste management practices recommended for Moroccan beaches include reducing sources, mitigating mitigation measures and changing littering behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bilal Mghili
- LESCB, URL-CNRST N° 18, Faculty of Sciences, Abdelmalek Essaadi University, Tetouan, Morocco.
| | - Soufiane Hasni
- Biology Department, Faculty of Sciences and Technology of Tangier, Abdelmalek Essaadi University, Morocco
| | - Mohamed Ben-Haddad
- Laboratory of Aquatic Systems, Marine and Continental Environments (AQUAMAR), Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Zohr University, Agadir 80000, Morocco
| | - Nelson Rangel-Buitrago
- Programa de Física, Facultad de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad del Atlántico, Barranquilla, Atlántico, Colombia
| | - Mohamed Keznine
- LESCB, URL-CNRST N° 18, Faculty of Sciences, Abdelmalek Essaadi University, Tetouan, Morocco
| | - Imane Lamine
- Laboratory of Aquatic Systems, Marine and Continental Environments (AQUAMAR), Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Zohr University, Agadir 80000, Morocco; Higher Institute of Nursing Professions and Technical Health, Errachidia, Morocco
| | - Fatima Zahra Hamiche
- LESCB, URL-CNRST N° 18, Faculty of Sciences, Abdelmalek Essaadi University, Tetouan, Morocco
| | - Hatim Haddaoui
- Scientific Institute, University Mohammed V, Rabat, Morocco
| | - Mohamed Rida Abelouah
- Laboratory of Aquatic Systems, Marine and Continental Environments (AQUAMAR), Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Zohr University, Agadir 80000, Morocco
| | - Manal Demiathi
- LESCB, URL-CNRST N° 18, Faculty of Sciences, Abdelmalek Essaadi University, Tetouan, Morocco
| | - Brahim Oubahaouali
- LESCB, URL-CNRST N° 18, Faculty of Sciences, Abdelmalek Essaadi University, Tetouan, Morocco
| | - Nadia Jellal
- Research Laboratory in Applied and Marine Geosciences, Geotechnics and Geohazards (LR3G), Faculty of Sciences, Abdelmalek Essaâdi University, 93000 Tetouan, Morocco
| | - Mounia Touaf
- LESCB, URL-CNRST N° 18, Faculty of Sciences, Abdelmalek Essaadi University, Tetouan, Morocco
| | - Youssef Ahannach
- LESCB, URL-CNRST N° 18, Faculty of Sciences, Abdelmalek Essaadi University, Tetouan, Morocco
| | - Najwa Hassou
- Higher Institute of Nursing Professions and Technical Health, Rabat, Morocco
| | - Sohayb Cherradi
- Polydisciplinary Faculty in Larache, University Abdelmalek Essadi, Morocco
| | - Mustapha Aksissou
- LESCB, URL-CNRST N° 18, Faculty of Sciences, Abdelmalek Essaadi University, Tetouan, Morocco
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Lacerda AL, Frias J, Pedrotti ML. Tardigrades in the marine plastisphere: New hitchhikers surfing plastics. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 200:116071. [PMID: 38290365 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 01/20/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
Tardigrades are remarkable microorganisms known for their extraordinary resilience in diverse environments, including extreme conditions such as outer space. They are known for their interactions with natural substrates in terrestrial and aquatic systems, but have remained largely unexplored in relation to marine plastics. This study aims to investigate the colonization of plastics, ranging from fossil fuel-based to bioplastics, in the coastal zones of four countries (Brazil, Ireland, France and Italy). Here, we report the first documented occurrence of tardigrades colonizing plastic substrates. We identified five amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) belonging to the Tardigrada phylum, specifically in a post-consumer polypropylene, in the coastal zone of Galway, Ireland. This discovery raises questions about the characteristics of different plastics influencing on tardigrades' adhesion. Tardigrades hitchhiking on plastics in the oceans could expand their habitat range, possibly displacing native species and altering trophic interactions, with potential consequences for the overall biodiversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Luzia Lacerda
- Laboratoire d'Océanographie de Villefranche sur mer (LOV), UPMC Université Paris 06, CNRS UMR 7093, Sorbonne Université, Villefranche sur Mer, France.
| | - João Frias
- Marine and Freshwater Research Centre, Atlantic Technological University, Dublin Road, Galway H91 T8NW, Ireland
| | - Maria Luiza Pedrotti
- Laboratoire d'Océanographie de Villefranche sur mer (LOV), UPMC Université Paris 06, CNRS UMR 7093, Sorbonne Université, Villefranche sur Mer, France
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Ilechukwu I, Das RR, Jamodiong EA, Borghi S, Manzano GG, Hakim AA, Reimer JD. Abundance and distribution of marine litter on the beaches of Okinawa Island, Japan. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 200:116036. [PMID: 38237260 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116036] [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: 11/01/2023] [Revised: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
This study evaluated the distribution and abundance of marine litter on 30 beaches around Okinawa Island, Japan. Beach quality indices and multivariate statistical analyses were used to assess the quality of the beaches and their pollution patterns. A total of 11,626 items weighing 513.49 kg with an average density of 0.13 ± 0.10 items/m2 were collected. Litter was dominated by plastics (81.72 %), broken glass (8.38 %), and cigarette butts (7.44 %), and 74.05 % of total litter was from land-based sources. Single-use plastics (SUPs) were present in all surveyed beaches and made up 30.54 % of the total litter. The clean coast index (CCI), plastic abundance index (PAI), and hazardous index (HI) were between 0.1 and 7.6, 0.1-4.0 and 0.01-1.42, respectively, indicating low to moderate levels of pollution of Okinawan beaches. This study should aid in the formation of strategies to deal with marine litter in Okinawa, other areas of Japan and the Asia-Pacific region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ifenna Ilechukwu
- Molecular Invertebrate Systematics and Ecology (MISE) Laboratory, Graduate School of Engineering and Science, University of the Ryukyus, Nishihara, Okinawa 903-0123, Japan.
| | - Rocktim Ramen Das
- Molecular Invertebrate Systematics and Ecology (MISE) Laboratory, Graduate School of Engineering and Science, University of the Ryukyus, Nishihara, Okinawa 903-0123, Japan
| | - Emmeline A Jamodiong
- Molecular Invertebrate Systematics and Ecology (MISE) Laboratory, Graduate School of Engineering and Science, University of the Ryukyus, Nishihara, Okinawa 903-0123, Japan
| | - Stefano Borghi
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia; Tropical Biosphere Research Center, University of the Ryukyus, Nishihara, Okinawa 903-0123, Japan
| | - Geminne G Manzano
- Molecular Invertebrate Systematics and Ecology (MISE) Laboratory, Graduate School of Engineering and Science, University of the Ryukyus, Nishihara, Okinawa 903-0123, Japan
| | - Agus Alim Hakim
- Molecular Invertebrate Systematics and Ecology (MISE) Laboratory, Graduate School of Engineering and Science, University of the Ryukyus, Nishihara, Okinawa 903-0123, Japan; Department of Aquatic Resources Management, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences, IPB University, JI. Agatis, Kampus IPB Dramaga Bogor, 16680, West Java, Indonesia
| | - James Davis Reimer
- Molecular Invertebrate Systematics and Ecology (MISE) Laboratory, Graduate School of Engineering and Science, University of the Ryukyus, Nishihara, Okinawa 903-0123, Japan; Tropical Biosphere Research Center, University of the Ryukyus, Nishihara, Okinawa 903-0123, Japan
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Bottari T, Houssa R, Brundo MV, Mghili B, Maaghloud H, Mancuso M. Plastic litter colonization in a brackish water environment. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 912:169177. [PMID: 38072276 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
Transitional waters, including coastal ponds, represent unique environments. These distinct ecosystems are often among the most severely polluted systems due to intensive human activities. Our study marks the first evaluation of aquatic invertebrates associated with plastic litter in two brackish ponds. We collected 43 items of plastic litter (including bottles and disposable plastics) during the winter and spring of 2022. Most of plastic litter (76.8 %) was colonized by aquatic invertebrates. A total of 495 individuals were observed on the plastic litter, with the number of individuals ranging from 1 to 54 (average = 13.4). The most abundant taxa were from the families Gammaridae, Serpulidae, and Sphaeromatidae. Invertebrates colonized both the external and internal surfaces of the plastic bottles. Plastic bottles trapped 25 % of the total biota. The internal entrapped taxa were mainly represented by gammarids, molluscs egg mass, and sphaeromatids. Open bottles could potentially serve as temporary or permanent traps for invertebrates colonizing their internal surfaces. We argue that the dispersal of species driven by plastics is possible but limited, just as water exchanges with the seas are limited. These brackish lakes could be transit areas, but more importantly, they could be hotspots for plastic litter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Bottari
- Institute for Marine Biological Resources and Biotechnology (IRBIM) - CNR, Messina, Italy.
| | - Rachida Houssa
- Institut National de Recherche Halieutique (INRH), Casablanca, Morocco
| | - Maria Violetta Brundo
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Catania, Via Androne 81, 95124 Catania, Italy
| | - Bilal Mghili
- LESCB, URL-CNRST N° 18, Abdelmalek Essaadi University, Faculty of Sciences, Tetouan, Morocco
| | - Hind Maaghloud
- Department of Biology, Health Environment laboratory, Hassan II University, Faculty of Science - AInchock, Casablanca, Morocco
| | - Monique Mancuso
- Institute for Marine Biological Resources and Biotechnology (IRBIM) - CNR, Messina, Italy
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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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10
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Vlachogianni T, Scoullos M. Assessing marine macrolitter on the coastline of the Asterousia Biosphere Reserve: Insights from a community-based study. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 195:115474. [PMID: 37672921 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115474] [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: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 08/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
Even in pristine and remote environments of the Mediterranean, marine litter is building up threatening habitats and species and inhibiting sustainable development. The present study reports the findings of beach litter surveys carried out by 250 local community members in nine sites along the coastline of the Asterousia Biosphere Reserve, situated in the southernmost end of Europe. The average recorded litter density along these sites amounted to 125 items per 100 meters of coastline (range: 22-510) and to 0.05 items per square meter of beach (range: 0.01-0.13). Only two of the nine surveyed beaches were found to be in good environmental status, in compliance with the European threshold value for beach litter. The other seven studied beaches surpassed the European threshold value. The primary sources of the litter identified in the study can be attributed to unsustainable practices and inadequate waste management by individuals, communities and municipalities using the coastal and marine environment. Additionally, unsustainable waste management practices within the agricultural sector were also found to be a significant contributor to marine litter pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomais Vlachogianni
- Mediterranean Information Office for Environment, Culture and Sustainable Development, Athens, Greece.
| | - Michael Scoullos
- Mediterranean Information Office for Environment, Culture and Sustainable Development, Athens, Greece; Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Athens, Greece
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