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Matos DM, Ramos JA, Brandão ALC, Baptista F, Rodrigues I, Fernandes JO, Batista de Carvalho LAE, Marques MPM, Cunha SC, Antunes S, Paiva VH. Influence of paternal factors on plastic ingestion and brominated chemical exposure in East Tropical Atlantic Procellariid chicks. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 945:173815. [PMID: 38857804 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173815] [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: 02/09/2024] [Revised: 06/04/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024]
Abstract
The presence of plastic debris and organo-brominated compounds in the marine environment poses a concern to wildlife. Plastic can absorb and release chemical compounds, making their ingestion potentially harmful, while chemical compounds have become omnipresent, with a tendency to bioaccumulate in the food web. Seabirds are often used as indicators of marine plastic pollution, yet studies on the exposure of tropical communities to plastic contamination are still scarce. In this study we monitored the amounts of plastics in faeces and organo-brominated compounds ingested/assimilated in feathers by adults and chicks of Cape Verde shearwaters and Bulwer's petrels from Cabo Verde. Anthropogenic pollutants, polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), and naturally generated methoxylated-PBDEs (MeO-PBDEs) were among the probed compounds. The frequency of plastic debris ingestion was similar in both species' adults and chicks, although, the characteristics of the ingested plastic differed. Frequency and number of microplastics increased throughout the nestling season for chicks from both species. All species and age groups showed the presence of PBDEs and MeO-PBDEs. Among PBDEs, Bulwer's petrels exhibited higher concentrations than Cape Verde shearwaters, and chicks had higher concentration profiles than adults. Specifically, Bulwer's petrel chicks showed higher concentrations than Cape Verde shearwater chicks. On the contrary, Cape Verde shearwater adults exhibited higher occurrence and concentrations of MeO-PBDEs when compared to Cape Verde shearwater chicks. We found no effect of plastic loadings or loadings of organohalogen contaminants on body condition or size, although harmful effects may be hidden or reveal themselves in a medium- to long-term. Feather samples from both adults and chicks were shown to be useful for comparing intraspecific contamination levels and appear suitable for the long-term assessment of organohalogen contaminants in seabirds. Species-specific foraging and feeding strategies are likely the drivers of the observed variation in organochlorine contamination burdens among seabird species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana M Matos
- 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.
| | - J A Ramos
- 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
| | - A L C Brandão
- University of Coimbra, Molecular Physical-Chemistry R&D Unit, Department of Chemistry, 3004-535 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Francisca Baptista
- 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
| | - Isabel Rodrigues
- Biosfera Cabo Verde, Sul do Cemitério, Rua 5 - Caixa Postal 233, São Vicente, Cabo Verde
| | - J O Fernandes
- LAQV/REQUIMTE, Laboratório de Bromatologia e Hidrologia, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - L A E Batista de Carvalho
- University of Coimbra, Molecular Physical-Chemistry R&D Unit, Department of Chemistry, 3004-535 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - M P M Marques
- University of Coimbra, Molecular Physical-Chemistry R&D Unit, Department of Chemistry, 3004-535 Coimbra, Portugal; University of Coimbra, Department of Life Sciences, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - S C Cunha
- LAQV/REQUIMTE, Laboratório de Bromatologia e Hidrologia, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Stefan Antunes
- Biosfera Cabo Verde, Sul do Cemitério, Rua 5 - Caixa Postal 233, São Vicente, Cabo Verde
| | - V H Paiva
- 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
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2
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Marhoon A, Hernandez MLH, Billy RG, Müller DB, Verones F. Mapping Plastic and Plastic Additive Cycles in Coastal Countries: A Norwegian Case Study. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:8336-8348. [PMID: 38703133 PMCID: PMC11097394 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c09176] [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: 11/03/2023] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024]
Abstract
The growing environmental consequences caused by plastic pollution highlight the need for a better understanding of plastic polymer cycles and their associated additives. We present a novel, comprehensive top-down method using inflow-driven dynamic probabilistic material flow analysis (DPMFA) to map the plastic cycle in coastal countries. For the first time, we covered the progressive leaching of microplastics to the environment during the use phase of products and modeled the presence of 232 plastic additives. We applied this methodology to Norway and proposed initial release pathways to different environmental compartments. 758 kt of plastics distributed among 13 different polymers was introduced to the Norwegian economy in 2020, 4.4 Mt was present in in-use stocks, and 632 kt was wasted, of which 15.2 kt (2.4%) was released to the environment with a similar share of macro- and microplastics and 4.8 kt ended up in the ocean. Our study shows tire wear rubber as a highly pollutive microplastic source, while most macroplastics originated from consumer packaging with LDPE, PP, and PET as dominant polymers. Additionally, 75 kt of plastic additives was potentially released to the environment alongside these polymers. We emphasize that upstream measures, such as consumption reduction and changes in product design, would result in the most positive impact for limiting plastic pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed Marhoon
- Industrial
Ecology Programme, Department of Energy and Process Engineering, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim NO-7034, Norway
| | | | - Romain Guillaume Billy
- Industrial
Ecology Programme, Department of Energy and Process Engineering, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim NO-7034, Norway
| | - Daniel Beat Müller
- Industrial
Ecology Programme, Department of Energy and Process Engineering, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim NO-7034, Norway
| | - Francesca Verones
- Industrial
Ecology Programme, Department of Energy and Process Engineering, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim NO-7034, Norway
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3
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Collard F, Tulatz F, Harju M, Herzke D, Bourgeon S, Gabrielsen GW. Can plastic related chemicals be indicators of plastic ingestion in an Arctic seabird? CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 355:141721. [PMID: 38522675 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.141721] [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: 12/12/2023] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024]
Abstract
For decades, the northern fulmar (Fulmarus glacialis) has been found to ingest and accumulate high loads of plastic due to its feeding ecology and digestive tract morphology. Plastic ingestion can lead to both physical and toxicological effects as ingested plastics can be a pathway for hazardous chemicals into seabirds' tissues. Many of these contaminants are ubiquitous in the environment and the contribution of plastic ingestion to the uptake of those contaminants in seabirds' tissues is poorly known. In this study we aimed at quantifying several plastic-related chemicals (PRCs) -PBDE209, several dechloranes and several phthalate metabolites- and assessing their relationship with plastic burdens (both mass and number) to further investigate their potential use as proxies for plastic ingestion. Blood samples from fulmar fledglings and liver samples from both fledgling and non-fledgling fulmars were collected for PRC quantification. PBDE209 and dechloranes were quantified in 39 and 33 livers, respectively while phthalates were quantified in plasma. Plastic ingestion in these birds has been investigated previously and showed a higher prevalence in fledglings. PBDE209 was detected in 28.2 % of the liver samples. Dechlorane 602 was detected in all samples while Dechloranes 601 and 604 were not detected in any sample. Dechlorane 603 was detected in 11 individuals (33%). Phthalates were detected in one third of the analysed blood samples. Overall, no significant positive correlation was found between plastic burdens and PRC concentrations. However, a significant positive relationship between PBDE209 and plastic number was found in fledglings, although likely driven by one outlier. Our study shows the complexity of PRC exposure, the timeline of plastic ingestion and subsequent uptake of PRCs into the tissues in birds, the additional exposure of these chemicals via their prey, even in a species ingesting high loads of plastic.
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Affiliation(s)
- France Collard
- Norwegian Polar Institute (NPI), Fram Centre, N-9296, Tromsø, Norway; Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA), Fram Centre, N-9296, Tromsø, Norway.
| | - Felix Tulatz
- Norwegian Polar Institute (NPI), Fram Centre, N-9296, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Mikael Harju
- The Climate and Environmental Research Institute (NILU), Fram Centre, N-9296, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Dorte Herzke
- The Climate and Environmental Research Institute (NILU), Fram Centre, N-9296, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Sophie Bourgeon
- Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, The Arctic University of Norway (UiT), N-9037, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Geir W Gabrielsen
- Norwegian Polar Institute (NPI), Fram Centre, N-9296, Tromsø, Norway
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4
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Veríssimo SN, Cunha SC, Fernandes JO, Casero M, Ramos JA, Norte AC, Paiva VH. Dynamics and effects of plastic contaminants' assimilation in gulls. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 196:106396. [PMID: 38341982 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2024.106396] [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: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/13/2024]
Abstract
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers are persistent disrupters assimilated by organisms, yet little is known about their link to plastic ingestion and health effects. In an experiment, two groups of yellow-legged/lesser black-backed gulls (Larus michahellis/Larus fuscus) were fed plastics with BDE99 to assess leaching into brain, preen oil, liver and fat tissues and evaluate effects on health and stress parameters. Although most plastic was regurgitated, we observed a clear relation between plastic ingestion and chemical leaching. BDE99 exhibited higher levels in brain tissue of gulls from the plastic groups. Also, only values of cholinesterases measured in plasma were significantly reduced in the 'plastic' groups. Cholinesterase activity in the brain also tended to decrease, suggesting a negative effect in gulls' neurofunction. Results indicate that chemical leaching occurs, even when plastics stay in the stomach for a short period of time and showed that this can affect gulls' health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara N Veríssimo
- 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.
| | - Sara C Cunha
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Laboratory of Bromatology and Hydrology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua Jorge de Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313, Porto, Portugal
| | - José O Fernandes
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Laboratory of Bromatology and Hydrology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua Jorge de Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313, Porto, Portugal
| | - María Casero
- Wildlife Rehabilitation and Investigation Center (RIAS) - Associação ALDEIA, Ria Formosa Natural Park, Olhão, Portugal
| | - Jaime A Ramos
- 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
| | - Ana C Norte
- 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
| | - Vitor H Paiva
- 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
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5
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Matos DM, Ramos JA, Brandão ALC, Baeta A, Rodrigues I, Dos Santos I, Coentro J, Fernandes JO, Batista de Carvalho LAE, Marques MPM, Cunha SC, Santos SH, Antunes S, Silva V, Paiva VH. Microplastics ingestion and endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) by breeding seabirds in the east tropical Atlantic: Associations with trophic and foraging proxies (δ 15N and δ 13C). THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 912:168664. [PMID: 37996016 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168664] [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: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
In this study we found that endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) were omnipresent in a tropical seabird community comprising diverse ecological guilds and distinct foraging and trophic preferences. Because EDCs tend to bioaccumulate within the food web and microplastics can absorb and release harmful chemical compounds, our findings draw attention to the potential threats to wildlife. Thus, the goal of this study was to investigate the role of plastic ingestion, trophic and foraging patterns (δ15N and δ13C) of five tropical seabird species breeding in sympatry, on the exposure to EDCs, namely Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), methoxylated polybrominated diphenyl ethers (MeO-PBDEs) and personal care products (PCPs, e.g., musk fragrances and UV-filters). Results indicated that microplastics occurrence and EDCs detection frequency varied among species. Microplastics occurrence was higher in species with dual and coastal foraging strategies. Preen oil had higher levels of MeO-PBDEs and PCPs, while serum had higher levels of PBDEs. In brown boobies, the correlation between microplastics and ∑PBDEs levels was significant, suggesting that microplastics ingestion is a key PBDEs route. Trophic position (δ15N) plays a key role in PBDEs accumulation, particularly in Bulwer's petrel, which occupies a high trophic position and had more specialized feeding ecology than the other species. MeO-PBDEs were linked to foraging habitat (δ13C), although the link to foraging locations deserves further investigation. Overall, our findings not only fill key gaps in our understanding of seabirds' exposure to microplastics and EDCs, but also provide an essential baseline for future research and monitoring efforts. These findings have broader implications for the marine wildlife conservation and pollution management in sensitive environments, such as the tropical regions off West Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana M Matos
- 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.
| | - J A Ramos
- 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
| | - A L C Brandão
- University of Coimbra, Molecular Physical-Chemistry R&D Unit, Department of Chemistry, 3004-535 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Alexandra Baeta
- 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
| | - Isabel Rodrigues
- Biosfera Cabo Verde, Sul do Cemitério, Rua 5 - Caixa Postal 233, São Vicente, Cabo Verde
| | - I Dos Santos
- 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
| | - João Coentro
- 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
| | - J O Fernandes
- LAQV/REQUIMTE, Laboratório de Bromatologia e Hidrologia, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - L A E Batista de Carvalho
- University of Coimbra, Molecular Physical-Chemistry R&D Unit, Department of Chemistry, 3004-535 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - M P M Marques
- University of Coimbra, Molecular Physical-Chemistry R&D Unit, Department of Chemistry, 3004-535 Coimbra, Portugal; University of Coimbra, Department of Life Sciences, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - S C Cunha
- LAQV/REQUIMTE, Laboratório de Bromatologia e Hidrologia, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - S H Santos
- 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
| | - Stefan Antunes
- Biosfera Cabo Verde, Sul do Cemitério, Rua 5 - Caixa Postal 233, São Vicente, Cabo Verde
| | - Vítor Silva
- 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
| | - V H Paiva
- 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
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Schrenk D, Bignami M, Bodin L, Chipman JK, del Mazo J, Grasl‐Kraupp B, Hogstrand C, (Ron) Hoogenboom L, Leblanc J, Nebbia CS, Nielsen E, Ntzani E, Petersen A, Sand S, Schwerdtle T, Wallace H, Benford D, Fürst P, Hart A, Rose M, Schroeder H, Vrijheid M, Ioannidou S, Nikolič M, Bordajandi LR, Vleminckx C. Update of the risk assessment of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in food. EFSA J 2024; 22:e8497. [PMID: 38269035 PMCID: PMC10807361 DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2024.8497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The European Commission asked EFSA to update its 2011 risk assessment on polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in food, focusing on 10 congeners: BDE-28, -47, -49, -99, -100, -138, -153, -154, -183 and ‑209. The CONTAM Panel concluded that the neurodevelopmental effects on behaviour and reproductive/developmental effects are the critical effects in rodent studies. For four congeners (BDE-47, -99, -153, -209) the Panel derived Reference Points, i.e. benchmark doses and corresponding lower 95% confidence limits (BMDLs), for endpoint-specific benchmark responses. Since repeated exposure to PBDEs results in accumulation of these chemicals in the body, the Panel estimated the body burden at the BMDL in rodents, and the chronic intake that would lead to the same body burden in humans. For the remaining six congeners no studies were available to identify Reference Points. The Panel concluded that there is scientific basis for inclusion of all 10 congeners in a common assessment group and performed a combined risk assessment. The Panel concluded that the combined margin of exposure (MOET) approach was the most appropriate risk metric and applied a tiered approach to the risk characterisation. Over 84,000 analytical results for the 10 congeners in food were used to estimate the exposure across dietary surveys and age groups of the European population. The most important contributors to the chronic dietary Lower Bound exposure to PBDEs were meat and meat products and fish and seafood. Taking into account the uncertainties affecting the assessment, the Panel concluded that it is likely that current dietary exposure to PBDEs in the European population raises a health concern.
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7
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Lu R, Cao X, Zheng X, Zeng Y, Jiang Y, Mai B. Biomagnification and elimination effects of persistent organic pollutants in a typical wetland food web from South China. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 457:131733. [PMID: 37269563 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.131733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2023] [Revised: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
This study investigated the quantitative sources of persistent organic pollutants (POPs), their biomagnification factors, and their effect on POP biomagnification in a typical waterbird (common kingfisher, Alcedo atthis) food web in South China. The median concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in kingfishers were 32,500 ng/g lw and 130 ng/g lw, respectively. The congener profiles of PBDEs and PCBs showed significant temporal changes because of the restriction time points and biomagnification potential of different contaminants. The concentrations of most bioaccumulative POPs, such as CBs 138 and 180 and BDEs 153 and 154, decreased at lower rates than those of other POPs. Pelagic fish (metzia lineata) and benthic fish (common carp) were the primary prey of kingfishers, as indicated by quantitative fatty acid signature analysis (QFASA) results. Pelagic and benthic prey species were the primary sources of low and high hydrophobic contaminants for kingfishers, respectively. Biomagnification factors (BMFs) and trophic magnification factors (TMFs) had parabolic relationships with log KOW, with peak values of approximately 7. Significant negative correlations were found between the whole-body elimination rates of POPs in waterbirds and the log-transformed TMFs and BMFs, indicating that the strong metabolism of waterbirds could potentially affect POP biomagnification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruifeng Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Protection and Resources Utilization, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China; University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xingpei Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Protection and Resources Utilization, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China; University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xiaobo Zheng
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agricultural & Rural Pollution Abatement and Environmental Safety, College of Natural Resources and Environment, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China.
| | - Yanhong Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Protection and Resources Utilization, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Yiye Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Protection and Resources Utilization, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China; University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Bixian Mai
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Protection and Resources Utilization, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Deep Earth Science, Guangzhou 510640, China
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8
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Tulatz F, Gabrielsen GW, Bourgeon S, Herzke D, Krapp R, Langset M, Neumann S, Lippold A, Collard F. Implications of Regurgitative Feeding on Plastic Loads in Northern Fulmars ( Fulmarus glacialis): A Study from Svalbard. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:3562-3570. [PMID: 36812008 PMCID: PMC9996815 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c05617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Procellariiform seabirds like northern fulmars (Fulmarus glacialis) are prone to ingest and accumulate floating plastic pieces. In the North Sea region, there is a long tradition to use beached fulmars as biomonitors for marine plastic pollution. Monitoring data revealed consistently lower plastic burdens in adult fulmars compared to younger age classes. Those findings were hypothesized to partly result from parental transfer of plastic to chicks. However, no prior study has examined this mechanism in fulmars by comparing plastic burdens in fledglings and older fulmars shortly after the chick-rearing period. Therefore, we investigated plastic ingestion in 39 fulmars from Kongsfjorden (Svalbard), including 21 fledglings and 18 older fulmars (adults/older immatures). We found that fledglings (50-60 days old) had significantly more plastic than older fulmars. While plastic was found in all fledglings, two older fulmars contained no and several older individuals barely any plastic. These findings supported that fulmar chicks from Svalbard get fed high quantities of plastic by their parents. Adverse effects of plastic on fulmars were indicated by one fragment that perforated the stomach and possibly one thread perforating the intestine. Negative correlations between plastic mass and body fat in fledglings and older fulmars were not significant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felix Tulatz
- Department
of Arctic and Marine Biology, UiT—The
Arctic University of Norway, N-9037 Tromsø, Norway
- Fram
Centre, Norwegian Polar Institute, N-9296 Tromsø, Norway
| | | | - Sophie Bourgeon
- Department
of Arctic and Marine Biology, UiT—The
Arctic University of Norway, N-9037 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Dorte Herzke
- Department
of Arctic and Marine Biology, UiT—The
Arctic University of Norway, N-9037 Tromsø, Norway
- Fram
Centre for Climate and the Environment, Fram Centre, Norwegian Institute for Air Research, N-9296 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Rupert Krapp
- Fram
Centre, Norwegian Polar Institute, N-9296 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Magdalene Langset
- Norwegian
Institute for Nature Research, Høgskoleringen, Trondheim 97034, Norway
| | - Svenja Neumann
- Fram
Centre, Norwegian Polar Institute, N-9296 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Anna Lippold
- Fram
Centre, Norwegian Polar Institute, N-9296 Tromsø, Norway
| | - France Collard
- Fram
Centre, Norwegian Polar Institute, N-9296 Tromsø, Norway
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9
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Jardine AM, Provencher JF, Insley SJ, Tauzer L, Halliday WD, Bourdages MPT, Houde M, Muir D, Vermaire JC. No accumulation of microplastics detected in western Canadian ringed seals (Pusa hispida). MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 188:114692. [PMID: 36753811 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.114692] [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: 08/04/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Ringed seals (Pusa hispida) play a crucial role in Arctic food webs as important pelagic predators and represent an essential component of Inuvialuit culture and food security. Plastic pollution is recognized as a global threat of concern, and Arctic regions may act as sinks for anthropogenic debris. To date, mixed evidence exists concerning the propensity for Canadian Arctic marine mammals to ingest and retain plastic. Our study builds on existing literature by offering the first assessment of plastic ingestion in ringed seals harvested in the western Canadian Arctic. We detected no evidence of microplastic (particles ≥80 μm) retention in the stomachs of ten ringed seals from the Inuvialuit Settlement Region (ISR) in the Northwest Territories, Canada. These results are consistent with previous studies that have found that some marine mammals do not accumulate microplastics in evaluated regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander M Jardine
- Aquatic Ecosystems and Environmental Change Laboratory, Department of Geography and Environmental Studies and Institute for Environmental and Interdisciplinary Sciences, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
| | - Jennifer F Provencher
- Aquatic Ecosystems and Environmental Change Laboratory, Department of Geography and Environmental Studies and Institute for Environmental and Interdisciplinary Sciences, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Canada; Environment and Climate Change Canada, Science and Technology Branch, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa K1S 5B6, ON, Canada
| | - Stephen J Insley
- Wildlife Conservation Society Canada (WCS Canada), 169 Titanium Way, Whitehorse, YT Y1A 0E9, Canada; Department of Biology, University of Victoria, 3800 Finnerty Rd, Victoria, BC V8P 5C2, Canada
| | - Lila Tauzer
- Wildlife Conservation Society Canada (WCS Canada), 169 Titanium Way, Whitehorse, YT Y1A 0E9, Canada
| | - William D Halliday
- Wildlife Conservation Society Canada (WCS Canada), 169 Titanium Way, Whitehorse, YT Y1A 0E9, Canada; School of Earth and Ocean Sciences, University of Victoria, 3800 Finnerty Rd, Victoria, BC V8P 5C2, Canada
| | - Madelaine P T Bourdages
- Aquatic Ecosystems and Environmental Change Laboratory, Department of Geography and Environmental Studies and Institute for Environmental and Interdisciplinary Sciences, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Magali Houde
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, Science and Technology Branch, 105 McGill Street, Montreal, QC, H2Y 2E7, Canada
| | - Derek Muir
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, Science and Technology Branch, 105 McGill Street, Montreal, QC, H2Y 2E7, Canada
| | - Jesse C Vermaire
- Aquatic Ecosystems and Environmental Change Laboratory, Department of Geography and Environmental Studies and Institute for Environmental and Interdisciplinary Sciences, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Canada
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10
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BDE-47 Induces Immunotoxicity in RAW264.7 Macrophages through the Reactive Oxygen Species-Mediated Mitochondrial Apoptotic Pathway. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28052036. [PMID: 36903282 PMCID: PMC10004313 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28052036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are classic and emerging pollutants that are potentially harmful to the human immune system. Research on their immunotoxicity and mechanisms suggests that they play an important role in the resulting pernicious effects of PBDEs. 2,2',4,4'-Tetrabrominated biphenyl ether (BDE-47) is the most biotoxic PBDE congener, and, in this study, we evaluated its toxicity toward RAW264.7 cells of mouse macrophages. The results show that exposure to BDE-47 led to a significant decrease in cell viability and a prominent increase in apoptosis. A decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and an increase in cytochrome C release and caspase cascade activation thus demonstrate that cell apoptosis induced by BDE-47 occurs via the mitochondrial pathway. In addition, BDE-47 inhibits phagocytosis in RAW264.7 cells, changes the related immune factor index, and causes immune function damage. Furthermore, we discovered a significant increase in the level of cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), and the regulation of genes linked to oxidative stress was also demonstrated using transcriptome sequencing. The degree of apoptosis and immune function impairment caused by BDE-47 could be reversed after treatment with the antioxidant NAC and, conversely, exacerbated by treatment with the ROS-inducer BSO. These findings indicate that oxidative damage caused by BDE-47 is a critical event that leads to mitochondrial apoptosis in RAW264.7 macrophages, ultimately resulting in the suppression of immune function.
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11
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Zheng X, Wu X, Zheng Q, Mai BX, Qiu R. Transfer of Microplastics in Terrestrial and Aquatic Food Webs: The Impact of E-Waste Debris and Ecological Traits. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 57:1300-1308. [PMID: 36577390 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c06473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Factors affecting the trophic transfer of microplastics (MPs) in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems remain to be clarified. Here, we determined the abundances of MPs in multiple terrestrial and aquatic species, including insects, snails, crustaceans, fishes, snakes, birds, and voles, from an abandoned e-waste recycling site. Approximately 80% of MPs were within the size range 20-50 μm. In wildlife, the MP abundances per individual and per body weight were found to be positively and negatively correlated with body weight, respectively. Herein, terrestrial vertebrates, primarily birds, exhibited more complex compositions of polymer types than other organisms owing to the wide foraging areas and diverse food sources. However, according to the MPs modeled and the observed results in bird food chains, MPs do not appear to be preferentially retained in the bird gastrointestinal tract. The species-specific polymer types identified indicate the influences of habitat on MP pollution in organisms, which is further supported by significant correlations between the abundance of MPs and δ13C in the terrestrial food web (p < 0.05). In the analyzed bird species, the low MP abundance detected in birds compared with the amount of food ingested indicates that MPs constitute a negligible factor in the bioaccumulation of chemical pollutants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaobo Zheng
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agricultural & Rural Pollution Abatement and Environmental Safety, College of Natural Resources and Environment, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou510642, China
| | - Xiaodan Wu
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agricultural & Rural Pollution Abatement and Environmental Safety, College of Natural Resources and Environment, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou510642, China
| | - Qian Zheng
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agricultural & Rural Pollution Abatement and Environmental Safety, College of Natural Resources and Environment, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou510642, China
| | - Bi-Xian Mai
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Protection and Resources Utilization, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou510640, China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Deep Earth Science, Guangzhou510640, China
| | - Rongliang Qiu
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agricultural & Rural Pollution Abatement and Environmental Safety, College of Natural Resources and Environment, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou510642, China
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12
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Anderssen KE, Gabrielsen GW, Kranz M, Collard F. Magnetic resonance imaging for non-invasive measurement of plastic ingestion in marine wildlife. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2022; 185:114334. [PMID: 36403307 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.114334] [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: 03/02/2022] [Revised: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Monitoring plastic ingestion by marine wildlife is important for both characterizing the extent of plastic pollution in the environment and understanding its effect on species and ecosystems. Current methods to detect plastic in the digestive system of animals are slow and invasive, such that the number of animals that can be screened is limited. In this article, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is investigated as a possible technology to perform rapid, non-invasive detection of plastic ingestion. Standard MRI methods were able to directly measure one type of plastic in a fulmar stomach and another type was able to be indirectly detected. In addition to MRI, other standard nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements were made. Different types of plastic were tested, and distinctive NMR signal characteristics were found in common for each type, allowing them to be distinguished from one another. The NMR results indicate specialized MRI sequences could be used to directly image several types of plastic. Although current commercial MRI technology is not suitable for field use, existing single-sided MRI research systems could be adapted for use outside the laboratory and become an important tool for future monitoring of wild animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn E Anderssen
- Department of Seafood Industry, Nofima AS, P.O. Box 6122, 9291 Tromsø, Norway.
| | | | - Mathias Kranz
- PET Imaging Center Tromsø, University Hospital North-Norway (UNN), 9009 Tromsø, Norway; Nuclear Medicine and Radiation Biology Research Group, The Arctic University of Norway, UiT, 9009 Tromsø, Norway
| | - France Collard
- Norwegian Polar Institute, Fram Centre, 9296 Tromsø, Norway
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13
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Collard F, Bangjord G, Herzke D, Gabrielsen GW. Plastic burdens in northern fulmars from Svalbard: Looking back 25 years. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2022; 185:114333. [PMID: 36372049 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.114333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 10/15/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The northern fulmar Fulmarus glacialis ingests a larger number of (micro)plastics than many other seabirds due to its feeding habits and gut morphology. Since 2002, they are bioindicators of marine plastics in the North Sea region, and data are needed to extend the programme to other parts of their distribution areas, such as the Arctic. In this study, we provide data on ingested plastics by fulmars collected in 1997 in Kongsfjorden, Svalbard. An extraction protocol with KOH was used and for half of the birds, the gizzard and the proventricular contents were analysed separately. Ninety-one percent of the birds had ingested at least one piece of plastic with an average of 10.3 (±11.9 SD) pieces. The gizzards contained significantly more plastics than the proventriculus. Hard fragments and polyethylene were the most common characteristics. Twelve percent of the birds exceeded the EcoQO value of 0.1 g.
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Affiliation(s)
- France Collard
- The Norwegian Polar Institute-NPI, Postboks 6606, Fram Centre, Stakkevollan, 9296 Tromsø, Norway.
| | - Georg Bangjord
- The Norwegian Environment Agency, P.O. Box 5672, Torgarden, N-7485 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Dorte Herzke
- The Norwegian Institute for Air Research, NILU, Fram Centre, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Geir W Gabrielsen
- The Norwegian Polar Institute-NPI, Postboks 6606, Fram Centre, Stakkevollan, 9296 Tromsø, Norway
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14
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Luo H, Liu C, He D, Sun J, Li J, Pan X. Effects of aging on environmental behavior of plastic additives: Migration, leaching, and ecotoxicity. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 849:157951. [PMID: 35961392 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.157951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2022] [Revised: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs), an emerging pollutant, are of global concern due to their wide distribution and large quantities. In addition to MPs themselves, various additives within MPs (such as plasticizers, flame retardants, antioxidants and heavy metals) may also have harmful effects on the environment. Most of these additives are physically bound to plastics and can therefore be leached from the plastic and released into the environment. Aging of MPs in the actual environment can affect the migration and release of additives, further increasing the ecotoxicological risk of additives to organisms. This work reviews the functions of several commonly used additives in MPs, and summarizes the representative characterization methods. Furthermore, the migration and leaching of additives in the human environment and marine environment are outlined. As aging promotes the internal chain breaking of MPs and the increase of specific surface area, it in turn stimulates the release of additives. The hazards of additive exposure have been elucidated, and various studies from the laboratory have shown that more toxic additives such as phthalates and brominated flame retardants can disrupt a variety of biological processes in organisms, including metabolism, skeletal development and so on. Increase of MPs ecological risk caused by the leaching of toxic additives is discussed, especially under the effect of aging. This study presents a systematic summary of various functional and environmental behaviors of additives in plastics, using weathering forces as the main factor, which helps to better assess the environmental impact and potential risks of MPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongwei Luo
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology for Industrial Pollution Control of Zhejiang Province, College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China.
| | - Chenyang Liu
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology for Industrial Pollution Control of Zhejiang Province, College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China
| | - Dongqin He
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology for Industrial Pollution Control of Zhejiang Province, College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China
| | - Jianqiang Sun
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology for Industrial Pollution Control of Zhejiang Province, College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China
| | - Jun Li
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology for Industrial Pollution Control of Zhejiang Province, College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China
| | - Xiangliang Pan
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology for Industrial Pollution Control of Zhejiang Province, College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China.
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15
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Krasucka P, Bogusz A, Baranowska-Wójcik E, Czech B, Szwajgier D, Rek M, Ok YS, Oleszczuk P. Digestion of plastics using in vitro human gastrointestinal tract and their potential to adsorb emerging organic pollutants. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 843:157108. [PMID: 35779726 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.157108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Excessive plastic use has inevitably led to its consumption by organisms, including humans. It is estimated that humans consume 20 kg of plastic during their lifetime. The presence of microplastics in the human body can carry serious health risks, such as biological reactions e.g. inflammation, genotoxicity, oxidative stress, apoptosis, as well toxic compounds leaching of unbound chemicals/monomers, free radicals or adsorbed organic pollutants, which mainly depend on the properties of the ingested plastic. Plastics are exposed to different substances (e.g., enzymes and acids) in the digestive system, which potentially affects their properties and structure. By stimulating the human digestive system and applying a set of advanced analytical tools, we showed that the surface of polystyrene and high-density polyethylene plastics frequently in contact with food undergoes fundamental changes during digestion. This results in the appearance of additional functional groups, and consequent increase in the plastic adsorption capacity for hydrophobic ionic compounds (such as triclosan and diclofenac) while reducing its adsorption capacity for hydrophobic non-ionic compounds (such as phenanthrene). Micro- and nanostructures that formed on the flat surface of the plastics after digestion were identified using scanning electron microscopy. These structures became defragmented and detached due to mechanical action, increasing micro- and nanoplastics in the environment. Due to their size, the release of plastic nanostructures after digestion can become an "accidental food source" for a wider group of aquatic organisms and ultimately for humans as the last link in the food chain. This, combined with improved adsorption capacity of digested plastics to hydrophobic ionic pollutants, can pose a serious threat to the environment including human health and safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrycja Krasucka
- Department of Radiochemistry and Environmental Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, Pl. M. Curie-Skłodowskiej 3, 20-031 Lublin, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Bogusz
- Department of Ecotoxicology, Institute of Environmental Protection - National Research Institute, ul. Krucza 5/11D, 00-548 Warszawa, Poland
| | - Ewa Baranowska-Wójcik
- Department of Biotechnology, Microbiology and Human Nutrition, Faculty of Food Science and Biotechnology, ul. Skromna 8, 20-704 Lublin, Poland
| | - Bożena Czech
- Department of Radiochemistry and Environmental Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, Pl. M. Curie-Skłodowskiej 3, 20-031 Lublin, Poland
| | - Dominik Szwajgier
- Department of Biotechnology, Microbiology and Human Nutrition, Faculty of Food Science and Biotechnology, ul. Skromna 8, 20-704 Lublin, Poland
| | - Monika Rek
- Department of Radiochemistry and Environmental Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, Pl. M. Curie-Skłodowskiej 3, 20-031 Lublin, Poland
| | - Yong Sik Ok
- Korea Biochar Research Center, APRU Sustainable Waste Management Program & Division of Environmental Science and Ecological Engineering, Korea University, Seoul 02841, South Korea
| | - Patryk Oleszczuk
- Department of Radiochemistry and Environmental Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, Pl. M. Curie-Skłodowskiej 3, 20-031 Lublin, Poland.
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16
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Sühring R, Baak JE, Letcher RJ, Braune BM, de Silva A, Dey C, Fernie K, Lu Z, Mallory ML, Avery-Gomm S, Provencher JF. Co-contaminants of microplastics in two seabird species from the Canadian Arctic. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND ECOTECHNOLOGY 2022; 12:100189. [PMID: 36157344 PMCID: PMC9500368 DOI: 10.1016/j.ese.2022.100189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Revised: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Through ingestion and subsequent egestion, Arctic seabirds can bioaccumulate microplastics at and around their colony breeding sites. While microplastics in Arctic seabirds have been well documented, it is not yet understood to what extent these particles can act as transport vehicles for plastic-associated contaminants, including legacy persistent organic pollutants (POPs), trace metals, and organic additives. We investigated the occurrence and pattern of organic and inorganic co-contaminants of microplastics in two seabird species from the Canadian Arctic - northern fulmar (Fulmarus glacialis) and black-legged kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla). We found that fulmars had higher levels of plastic contamination and emerging organic compounds (known to be plastic additives) than kittiwakes, whereas higher concentrations of legacy POPs were found in kittiwakes than the fulmars. Furthermore, fulmars, the species with the much larger foraging range (∼200 km), had higher plastic pollution and overall contaminant burdens, indicating that birds may be acting as long-range transport vectors for plastic-associated pollution. Our results suggest a potential connection between plastic additive contamination and plastic pollution burdens in the bird stomachs, highlighting the importance of treating plastic particles and plastic-associated organic additives as co-contaminants rather than separate pollution issues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roxana Sühring
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly known as Ryerson University), 350 Victoria St, Toronto, ON, M5B 2K3, Canada
- Corresponding author.
| | - Julia E. Baak
- Department of Natural Resource Science, McGill University, Sainte Anne de Bellevue, Québec, H9X 3V9, Canada
| | - Robert J. Letcher
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, National Wildlife Research Centre, Carleton University, Raven Road, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0H3, Canada
| | - Birgit M. Braune
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, National Wildlife Research Centre, Carleton University, Raven Road, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0H3, Canada
| | - Amila de Silva
- Aquatic Contaminants Research Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Burlington, Ontario, L7S 1A1, Canada
| | - Cody Dey
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, National Wildlife Research Centre, Carleton University, Raven Road, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0H3, Canada
| | - Kim Fernie
- Ecotoxicology & Wildlife Health Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Burlington, Ontario, L7S 1A1, Canada
| | - Zhe Lu
- Institut des Sciences de la Mer de Rimouski, Université du Québec à Rimouski, Rimouski, Québec, G5L 3A1, Canada
| | - Mark L. Mallory
- Department of Biology, Acadia University, Wolfville, Nova Scotia, B4P 2R6, Canada
| | - Stephanie Avery-Gomm
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, National Wildlife Research Centre, Carleton University, Raven Road, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0H3, Canada
| | - Jennifer F. Provencher
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, National Wildlife Research Centre, Carleton University, Raven Road, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0H3, Canada
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17
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De Pascalis F, De Felice B, Parolini M, Pisu D, Pala D, Antonioli D, Perin E, Gianotti V, Ilahiane L, Masoero G, Serra L, Rubolini D, Cecere JG. The hidden cost of following currents: Microplastic ingestion in a planktivorous seabird. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2022; 182:114030. [PMID: 35964431 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.114030] [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: 01/20/2022] [Revised: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics are increasingly pervasive pollutants, particularly abundant in the neuston where they drift with currents. We assessed dietary microplastic ingestion in the Mediterranean storm petrel (Hydrobates pelagicus melitensis), a small pelagic seabird that forages on plankton and inhabit the Mediterranean sea, one of the most polluted seas worldwide. We collected spontaneous regurgitates from 30 chick-rearing individuals and used GPS tracking data from 7 additional individuals to locate foraging areas. Birds foraged in pelagic areas characterized by water stirring and mixing, and regurgitates from 14 individuals (i.e. 45 %) contained microplastics. Fibers were the dominant shape (56 %), with polyester, polyethylene and nylon being the most frequent polymers. Our findings highlight the potential sensitivity of this species of conservation interest to plastic pollution and suggest that storm petrel regurgitates can be a valuable matrix to investigate microplastic ingestion in planktonic foragers, providing a characterization of spatio-temporal patterns of microplastic exposure in pelagic environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico De Pascalis
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Policy, University of Milan, Milano (MI), Italy; Area BIO-AVM, Italian National Institute for Environmental Protection and Research, Ozzano dell'Emilia (BO), Italy.
| | - Beatrice De Felice
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Policy, University of Milan, Milano (MI), Italy
| | - Marco Parolini
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Policy, University of Milan, Milano (MI), Italy
| | - Danilo Pisu
- Regione Pireddu Nieddu snc, Stintino (SS), Italy
| | - David Pala
- Azienda Speciale Parco di Porto Conte, Alghero (SS), Italy
| | - Diego Antonioli
- Department of Science and Technological Innovation, University of Eastern Piedmont, Alessandria (AL), Italy
| | - Elena Perin
- Department of Science and Technological Innovation, University of Eastern Piedmont, Alessandria (AL), Italy
| | - Valentina Gianotti
- Department of Science and Technological Innovation, University of Eastern Piedmont, Alessandria (AL), Italy
| | - Luca Ilahiane
- Department of Science and Technological Innovation, University of Eastern Piedmont, Alessandria (AL), Italy
| | - Giulia Masoero
- Section of Ecology, Department of Biology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Lorenzo Serra
- Area BIO-AVM, Italian National Institute for Environmental Protection and Research, Ozzano dell'Emilia (BO), Italy
| | - Diego Rubolini
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Policy, University of Milan, Milano (MI), Italy; Istituto di Ricerca sulle Acque, IRSA-CNR, Brugherio (MB), Italy.
| | - Jacopo G Cecere
- Area BIO-AVM, Italian National Institute for Environmental Protection and Research, Ozzano dell'Emilia (BO), Italy
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18
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Lam SS, Xia C, Sonne C. Plastic crisis underscores need for alternative sustainable-renewable materials. JOURNAL OF BIORESOURCES AND BIOPRODUCTS 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jobab.2022.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
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19
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Turner A. PBDEs in the marine environment: Sources, pathways and the role of microplastics. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 301:118943. [PMID: 35150801 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.118943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Revised: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Brominated flame retardants (BFRs) are an important group of additives in plastics that increase resistance to ignition and slow down the rate of burning. Because of concerns about their environmental and human health impacts, however, some of the most widely employed BFRs, including hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) and commercial mixtures of penta-, octa- and deca- (poly)bromodiphenyl ethers (PBDEs), have been restricted or phased out. In this review, the oceanic sources and pathways of PBDEs, the most widely used BFRs, are evaluated and quantified, with particular focus on emissions due to migration from plastics into the atmosphere versus emissions associated with the input of retarded or contaminated plastics themselves. Calculations based on available measurements of PBDEs in the environment suggest that 3.5 and 135 tonnes of PBDEs are annually deposited in the ocean when scavenged by aerosols and through air-water gas exchange, respectively, with rivers contributing a further ∼40 tonnes. Calculations based on PBDE migration from plastic products in use or awaiting or undergoing disposal yield similar net inputs to the ocean but indicate a relatively rapid decline over the next two decades in association with the reduction in the production and recycling of these chemicals. Estimates associated with the input of PBDEs to the ocean when "bound" to marine plastics and microplastics range from about 360 to 950 tonnes per year based on the annual production of plastics and PBDEs over the past decade, and from about 20 to 50 tonnes per annum based on the abundance and distribution of PBDEs in marine plastic litter. Because of the persistence and pervasiveness of plastics in the ocean and diffusion coefficients for PBDEs on the order of 10-20 to 10-27 m2 s-1, microplastics are likely to act as a long-term source of these chemicals though gradual migration. Locally, however, and more important from an ecotoxicological perspective, PBDE migration may be significantly enhanced when physically and chemically weathered microplastics are exposed to the oily digestive fluids conditions of fish and seabirds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Turner
- School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA, UK.
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