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Martinez M, Minetti R, La Marca EC, Montalto V, Rinaldi A, Costa E, Badalamenti F, Garaventa F, Mirto S, Ape F. The power of Posidonia oceanica meadows to retain microplastics and the consequences on associated macrofaunal benthic communities. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 348:123814. [PMID: 38499170 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.123814] [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: 11/17/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
In the coastal environment, a large amount of microplastics (MPs) can accumulate in the sediments of seagrass beds. However, the potential impact these pollutants have on seagrasses and associated organisms is currently unknown. In this study, we investigated the differences in MPs abundance and composition (i.e., shape, colour and polymer type) in marine sediments collected at different depths (-5 m, -15 m, -20 m) at two sites characterized by the presence of Posidonia oceanica meadows and at one unvegetated site. In the vegetated sites, sediment samples were collected respectively above and below the upper and lower limits of the meadow (-5 m and -20 m), out of the P. oceanica meadow, and in the central portion of the meadow (-15 m). By focusing on the central part of the meadow, we investigated if the structural features (i.e. shoots density and leaf surface) can affect the amount of MPs retained within the underlying sediment and if these, in turn, can affect the associated benthic communities. Results showed that the number of MPs retained by P. oceanica meadows was higher than that found at the unvegetated site, showing also a different composition. In particular, at vegetated sites, we observed that MPs particles were more abundant within the meadow (at - 15 m), compared to the other depths, on unvegetated sediment, with a dominance of transparent fragments of polypropylene (PP). We observed that MPs entrapment by P. oceanica was accentuated by the higher shoots density, while the seagrass leaf surface did not appear to have any effect. Both the abundance and richness of macrofauna associated with P. oceanica rhizomes appear to be negatively influenced by the MPs abundance in the sediment. Overall, this study increases knowledge of the potential risks of MPs accumulation in important coastal habitats such as the Posidonia oceanica meadows.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Martinez
- Institute of Anthropic Impacts and Sustainability in Marine Environment, National Research Council (IAS-CNR), Lungomare Cristoforo Colombo n. 4521 (ex complesso Roosevelt), Località Addaura, 90149, Palermo, Italy.
| | - Roberta Minetti
- Institute of Anthropic Impacts and Sustainability in Marine Environment, National Research Council (IAS-CNR), Via De Marini 16, 16149, Genova, Italy
| | - Emanuela Claudia La Marca
- Institute of Anthropic Impacts and Sustainability in Marine Environment, National Research Council (IAS-CNR), Lungomare Cristoforo Colombo n. 4521 (ex complesso Roosevelt), Località Addaura, 90149, Palermo, Italy; National Biodiversity Future Centre (NBFC), Piazza Marina 61, 90133, Palermo, Italy
| | - Valeria Montalto
- Institute of Anthropic Impacts and Sustainability in Marine Environment, National Research Council (IAS-CNR), Lungomare Cristoforo Colombo n. 4521 (ex complesso Roosevelt), Località Addaura, 90149, Palermo, Italy; National Biodiversity Future Centre (NBFC), Piazza Marina 61, 90133, Palermo, Italy
| | - Alessandro Rinaldi
- Institute of Anthropic Impacts and Sustainability in Marine Environment, National Research Council (IAS-CNR), Lungomare Cristoforo Colombo n. 4521 (ex complesso Roosevelt), Località Addaura, 90149, Palermo, Italy; National Biodiversity Future Centre (NBFC), Piazza Marina 61, 90133, Palermo, Italy
| | - Elisa Costa
- Institute of Anthropic Impacts and Sustainability in Marine Environment, National Research Council (IAS-CNR), Via De Marini 16, 16149, Genova, Italy
| | - Fabio Badalamenti
- Institute of Anthropic Impacts and Sustainability in Marine Environment, National Research Council (IAS-CNR), Lungomare Cristoforo Colombo n. 4521 (ex complesso Roosevelt), Località Addaura, 90149, Palermo, Italy; National Biodiversity Future Centre (NBFC), Piazza Marina 61, 90133, Palermo, Italy
| | - Francesca Garaventa
- Institute of Anthropic Impacts and Sustainability in Marine Environment, National Research Council (IAS-CNR), Via De Marini 16, 16149, Genova, Italy; National Biodiversity Future Centre (NBFC), Piazza Marina 61, 90133, Palermo, Italy
| | - Simone Mirto
- Institute of Anthropic Impacts and Sustainability in Marine Environment, National Research Council (IAS-CNR), Lungomare Cristoforo Colombo n. 4521 (ex complesso Roosevelt), Località Addaura, 90149, Palermo, Italy; National Biodiversity Future Centre (NBFC), Piazza Marina 61, 90133, Palermo, Italy
| | - Francesca Ape
- Institute of Marine Sciences, National Research Council (ISMAR-CNR) Via Gobetti, 101, 40129, Bologna, Italy; National Biodiversity Future Centre (NBFC), Piazza Marina 61, 90133, Palermo, Italy
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Garrard SL, Clark JR, Martin N, Nelms SE, Botterell ZLR, Cole M, Coppock RL, Galloway TS, Green DS, Jones M, Lindeque PK, Tillin HM, Beaumont NJ. Identifying potential high-risk zones for land-derived plastic litter to marine megafauna and key habitats within the North Atlantic. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 922:171282. [PMID: 38412875 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 02/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
The pervasive use of plastic in modern society has led to plastic litter becoming ubiquitous within the ocean. Land-based sources of plastic litter are thought to account for the majority of plastic pollution in the marine environment, with plastic bags, bottles, wrappers, food containers and cutlery among the most common items found. In the marine environment, plastic is a transboundary pollutant, with the potential to cause damage far beyond the political borders from where it originated, making the management of this global pollutant particularly complex. In this study, the risks of land-derived plastic litter (LDPL) to major groups of marine megafauna - seabirds, cetaceans, pinnipeds, elasmobranchs, turtles, sirenians, tuna and billfish - and a selection of productive and biodiverse biogenic habitats - coral reefs, mangroves, seagrass, saltmarsh and kelp beds - were analysed using a Spatial Risk Assessment approach. The approach combines metrics for vulnerability (mechanism of harm for megafauna group or habitat), hazard (plastic abundance) and exposure (distribution of group or habitat). Several potential high-risk zones (HRZs) across the North Atlantic were highlighted, including the Azores, the UK, the French and US Atlantic coasts, and the US Gulf of Mexico. Whilst much of the modelled LDPL driving risk in the UK originated from domestic sources, in other HRZs, such as the Azores archipelago and the US Gulf of Mexico, plastic originated almost exclusively from external (non-domestic) sources. LDPL from Caribbean islands - some of the largest generators of marine plastic pollution in the dataset of river plastic emissions used in the study - was noted as a significant input to HRZs across both sides of the Atlantic. These findings highlight the potential of Spatial Risk Assessment analyses to determine the location of HRZs and understand where plastic debris monitoring and management should be prioritised, enabling more efficient deployment of interventions and mitigation measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha L Garrard
- Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Prospect Place, The Hoe, Plymouth PL1 3DH, United Kingdom.
| | - James R Clark
- Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Prospect Place, The Hoe, Plymouth PL1 3DH, United Kingdom
| | - Nicola Martin
- Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Prospect Place, The Hoe, Plymouth PL1 3DH, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah E Nelms
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Penryn, TR10 9FE, United Kingdom
| | - Zara L R Botterell
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Penryn, TR10 9FE, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew Cole
- Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Prospect Place, The Hoe, Plymouth PL1 3DH, United Kingdom
| | - Rachel L Coppock
- Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Prospect Place, The Hoe, Plymouth PL1 3DH, United Kingdom
| | - Tamara S Galloway
- Biosciences, Geoffrey Pope Building, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QD, United Kingdom
| | - Dannielle S Green
- Applied Ecology Research Group, School of Life Sciences, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge CB1 1PT, United Kingdom
| | - Megan Jones
- Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, The Laboratory, Citadel Hill, Plymouth, PL1 2PB, United Kingdom
| | - Pennie K Lindeque
- Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Prospect Place, The Hoe, Plymouth PL1 3DH, United Kingdom
| | - Heidi M Tillin
- Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Prospect Place, The Hoe, Plymouth PL1 3DH, United Kingdom
| | - Nicola J Beaumont
- Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Prospect Place, The Hoe, Plymouth PL1 3DH, United Kingdom
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Ciaralli L, Rotini A, Scalici M, Battisti C, Chiesa S, Christoforou E, Libralato G, Manfra L. The under-investigated plastic threat on seagrasses worldwide: a comprehensive review. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:8341-8353. [PMID: 38170360 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-31716-w] [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: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Marine plastic pollution is a well-recognised and debated issue affecting most marine ecosystems. Despite this, the threat of plastic pollution on seagrasses has not received significant scientific attention compared to other marine species and habitats. The present review aims to summarise the scientific data published in the last decade (January 2012-2023), concerning the evaluation of plastic pollution, of all sizes and types, including bio-based polymers, on several seagrass species worldwide. To achieve this goal, a comprehensive and critical review of 26 scientific papers has been carried out, taking into consideration the investigated areas, the seagrass species and the plant parts considered, the experimental design and the type of polymers analysed, both in field monitoring and in laboratory-controlled experiments. The outcomes of the present review clearly showed that the dynamics and effects of plastic pollution in seagrass are still under-explored. Most data emerged from Europe, with little or no data on plastic pollution in North and South America, Australia, Africa and Antarctica. Most of the studies were devoted to microplastics, with limited studies dedicated to macroplastics and only one to nanoplastics. The methodological approach (in terms of experimental design and polymer physico-chemical characterisation) should be carefully standardised, beside the use of a model species, such as Zostera marina, and further laboratory experiments. All these knowledge gaps must be urgently fulfilled, since valuable and reliable scientific knowledge is necessary to improve seagrass habitat protection measures against the current plastic pollution crisis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Ciaralli
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cinthia 26, 80126, Naples, Italy
- Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA), Via Vitaliano Brancati, 48, 00144, Rome, Italy
| | - Alice Rotini
- Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA), Via Vitaliano Brancati, 48, 00144, Rome, Italy.
| | - Massimiliano Scalici
- Department of Sciences, University of Rome, Roma 3", Viale Guglielmo Marconi 446, 00146, Rome, Italy
- National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC), Università Di Palermo, Piazza Marina 61, 90133, Palermo, Italy
| | - Corrado Battisti
- Protected Areas Service, Torre Flavia' LTER (Long Term Ecological Research) Station, Città Metropolitana Di Roma Capitale, Viale G. Ribotta, 41, 00144, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefania Chiesa
- Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA), Via Vitaliano Brancati, 48, 00144, Rome, Italy
| | - Eleni Christoforou
- Cyprus Marine and Maritime Institute, CMMI House, Vasileos Pavlou Square, 6023, Larnaca, Cyprus
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Cyprus University of Technology, 3036, Limassol, Cyprus
| | - Giovanni Libralato
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cinthia 26, 80126, Naples, Italy
- Department of Ecosustainable Marine Biotechnology, Villa Comunale, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, 80121, Naples, Italy
| | - Loredana Manfra
- Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA), Via Vitaliano Brancati, 48, 00144, Rome, Italy
- Department of Ecosustainable Marine Biotechnology, Villa Comunale, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, 80121, Naples, Italy
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Utami DA, Reuning L, Schwark L, Friedrichs G, Dittmer L, Nurhidayati AU, Al Fauzan A, Cahyarini SY. Plastiglomerates from uncontrolled burning of plastic waste on Indonesian beaches contain high contents of organic pollutants. Sci Rep 2023; 13:10383. [PMID: 37369801 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-37594-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
This study reports on plastiglomerate and other new forms of plastic pollution in the tropical marine continent of Indonesia. Twenty-five samples were collected from an island beach in the Java Sea where plastiglomerate, plasticrusts, and pyroplastic were formed by the uncontrolled burning of plastic waste. The most common plastic types were polyethylene and polypropylene (PE/PP), as shown by ATR-FTIR spectroscopy. However, acrylates/polyurethane/varnish (PU) and a copolymer of styrene and acrylonitrile were found as well. This suggests that plastiglomerates can form from a wider variety of plastic polymers than previously reported. FTIR analysis also indicates thermo-oxidative weathering, making the charred plastic more brittle and susceptible to microplastic formation. A subset of the samples was analyzed for associated chemical contaminants. One plastiglomerate with a PU matrix showed high concentrations of phthalates. All samples had high concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), likely due to the burning of the plastic in open fires. The burning leads to a change in the physical and chemical properties of the plastics contained in the plastiglomerates. Plastiglomerate and plastic waste of similar origin are therefore often more weathered and contaminated with organic pollutants than their parent polymers. The highest PAH concentration was found in a plastitar sample. Plastitar is defined as an agglomerate of tar and plastics that adheres to coastal rocks. In contrast, our study documents a more mobile, clastic plastitar type. This clastic plastitar could pose an additional ecological risk because of its mobility. These new types of plastic pollution could be an important vector for chemical contamination of nearby coastal habitats such as coral reefs, seagrass meadows, and mangroves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dwi Amanda Utami
- Research Center for Climate and Atmosphere, National Research and Innovation Agency Republic of Indonesia, Jl. Cisitu Sangkuriang, Bandung, 40135, Indonesia.
- Institute of Geosciences, Kiel University, Ludewig-Meyn-Str. 10, 24118, Kiel, Germany.
| | - Lars Reuning
- Institute of Geosciences, Kiel University, Ludewig-Meyn-Str. 10, 24118, Kiel, Germany
| | - Lorenz Schwark
- Institute of Geosciences, Kiel University, Ludewig-Meyn-Str. 10, 24118, Kiel, Germany
| | - Gernot Friedrichs
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, Kiel University, Max-Eyth-Str. 1, 24118, Kiel, Germany
| | - Ludwig Dittmer
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, Kiel University, Max-Eyth-Str. 1, 24118, Kiel, Germany
| | - Ayu Utami Nurhidayati
- Research Center for Climate and Atmosphere, National Research and Innovation Agency Republic of Indonesia, Jl. Cisitu Sangkuriang, Bandung, 40135, Indonesia
| | - Ahmad Al Fauzan
- Research Center for Climate and Atmosphere, National Research and Innovation Agency Republic of Indonesia, Jl. Cisitu Sangkuriang, Bandung, 40135, Indonesia
- Oceanography Study Program, Institut Teknologi Bandung, Jl. Ganesha No. 10, Bandung, 40132, Indonesia
| | - Sri Yudawati Cahyarini
- Research Center for Climate and Atmosphere, National Research and Innovation Agency Republic of Indonesia, Jl. Cisitu Sangkuriang, Bandung, 40135, Indonesia
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Rukmangada R, Naidu BC, Nayak BB, Balange A, Chouksey MK, Xavier KAM. Microplastic contamination in salted and sun dried fish and implications for food security - A study on the effect of location, style and constituents of dried fish on microplastics load. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 191:114909. [PMID: 37086549 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.114909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2023] [Revised: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
The presence of microplastics in 21 different species of marine dried fish products from four locations in India is reported in this study. All samples have microplastics, and majority of the MPs were found to be fragments (56 %) and are of <100 μm size (47 %). Eviscerated fish found to have significantly higher MPs than whole fish. Micro FTIR spectroscopy was used to recognize the polymer of identified MPs, which included polypropylene (21 %), low density polyethylene (17.5 %), polystyrene (15.5 %), and others. Anguilla bengalensis from station 1 had the greatest concentration of microplastics (99 ± 18.91 MPs/g) among all the samples. High value of microplastics polymer induced risk index (H) of different stations, suggesting a significant level of threat to consumer safety. Additional research is required to determine the potential effects on human health caused by consuming dried fish that contains variety of microplastics and their associated compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rakesh Rukmangada
- ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Versova, Mumbai 400061, Maharashtra, India
| | | | - Binaya Bhusan Nayak
- ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Versova, Mumbai 400061, Maharashtra, India
| | - Amjad Balange
- ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Versova, Mumbai 400061, Maharashtra, India
| | | | - K A Martin Xavier
- ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Versova, Mumbai 400061, Maharashtra, India.
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Plastic pollution: the science we need for the planet we want. Emerg Top Life Sci 2022; 6:333-337. [PMID: 36453917 DOI: 10.1042/etls20220019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Revised: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Plastics are incredibly versatile materials that can bring diverse societal and environmental benefit, yet current practices of production, use and disposal have negative effects on wildlife, the environment and human health leading to growing concern across public, policy makers and industry. This Special Issue in Emerging Topics in Life Sciences describes recent advances in our understanding of the consequences of plastic pollution. In particular, it examines their potential to act as vectors for chemicals and pathogens in the environment; evaluates the effects of plastic pollution on biogeochemical cycling, ecosystem functioning and highlights the potential for enhanced effects in environments that are already subject to substantive changes in their climate. The impacts plastics pose to terrestrial ecosystems including soil communities are described and evaluated, along with evidence of potential issues for human health. With an increase in the production of plastics labelled as 'biodegradable' their context and ecological impacts are reviewed. Finally, we discuss the need to take an integrative, system approach when developing and evaluating solutions to plastic pollution, to achieve the ambitious yet necessary aims of the UN Plastics Treaty.
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Plastic pollution requires an integrative systems approach to understand and mitigate risk. Emerg Top Life Sci 2022; 6:435-439. [PMID: 36453918 DOI: 10.1042/etls20220018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
To date, much effort has been placed on quantifying plastic pollution and understanding its negative environmental effects, arguably to the detriment of research and evaluation of potential interventions. This has led to piecemeal progress in interventions to reduce plastic pollution, which do not correspond to the pace of emissions. For substances that are used on a global scale and identified as hazardous, there is a need to act before irreversible damage is done. For example, the history of dichlorodiphenyltrichloethane's (DDT) use has demonstrated that legacy chemicals with properties of persistence can still be found in the environment despite being first prohibited 50 years ago. Despite the growing evidence of harm, evidence to inform actions to abate plastic pollution lag behind. In part, this is because of the multifaceted nature of plastic pollution and understanding the connections between social, economic and environmental dimensions are complex. As such we highlight the utility of integrative systems approaches for addressing such complex issues, which unites a diversity of stakeholders (including policy, industry, academia and society), and provides a framework to identify to develop specific, measurable and time-bound international policies on plastic pollution and meet the ambitious yet necessary goals of the UN Plastic Treaty.
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