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Leuenberger K, Erni-Cassola G, Leistenschneider C, Burkhardt-Holm P. Microplastic ingestion in five demersal, bathydemersal and bathypelagic fish species from the eastern Weddell Sea, Antarctica. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 946:174320. [PMID: 38942313 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174320] [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: 04/22/2024] [Revised: 06/14/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/30/2024]
Abstract
Antarctica has traditionally been viewed as a relatively isolated ecosystem. Although still considered pristine, it is increasingly also being affected by microplastic pollution. Reported high sea floor concentrations raise concern that these ecosystems might act as major sink for microplastic pollution. This is significant as species in those remote ecosystems are likely more sensitive to rapid environmental change due to a high level of specialization, and lower tolerance levels. Microplastic ingestion in fish has barely been assessed in high latitude environments. Here we aimed to provide baseline data for the eastern Weddell Sea, which is particularly remote, and suggested for an area of conservation. By analyzing gastrointestinal tracts of 40 specimens from five species, we report an overall microplastic incidence rate of 0.23. This is lower than recent studies have found for other species in the Southern Ocean, and below global means. The highest incidence rate was detected in L. squamifrons (0.67), followed by P. evansii (0.29). The most common polymer was polyethylene recovered as 8 particles (42.1 %) from one specimen, while from the remaining 11 microplastics polyester was most common (36.8 %). This study shows that even in a remote region of the Antarctic Ocean with almost no vessel traffic, fisheries or touristic activity, bathydemersal and bathypelagic fish exhibit microplastic particles in their gastrointestinal tract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Leuenberger
- Man-Society-Environment (Programme MGU), Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Basel, Vesalgasse 1, CH-4051 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Gabriel Erni-Cassola
- Man-Society-Environment (Programme MGU), Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Basel, Vesalgasse 1, CH-4051 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Clara Leistenschneider
- Man-Society-Environment (Programme MGU), Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Basel, Vesalgasse 1, CH-4051 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Patricia Burkhardt-Holm
- Man-Society-Environment (Programme MGU), Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Basel, Vesalgasse 1, CH-4051 Basel, Switzerland.
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Leistenschneider C, Wu F, Primpke S, Gerdts G, Burkhardt-Holm P. Unveiling high concentrations of small microplastics (11-500 μm) in surface water samples from the southern Weddell Sea off Antarctica. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 927:172124. [PMID: 38565351 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2024] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Recent studies have highlighted the prevalence of microplastic (MP) pollution in the global marine environment and these pollutants have been found to contaminate even remote regions, including the Southern Ocean south of the polar front. Previous studies in this region have mostly focused on MPs larger than 300 μm, potentially underestimating the extent of MP pollution. This study is the first to investigate MPs in marine surface waters south of the polar front, with a focus on small MPs 500-11 μm in size. Seventeen surface water samples were collected in the southern Weddell Sea using an in-house-designed sampling system. The analysis of the entire sample using micro-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (μFTIR) with focal plane array (FPA) detection revealed the presence of MPs in all samples, with the vast majority of the MPs detected being smaller than 300 μm (98.3 %). The mean concentration reached 43.5 (± 83.8) MPs m-3, with a wide range from 0.5 to 267.2 MPs m-3. The samples with the highest concentrations differed from the other samples in that they were collected north of the continental slope and the Antarctic Slope Current. Sea ice conditions possibly also influenced these varying concentrations. This study reports high concentrations of MPs compared to other studies in the region. It emphasizes the need to analyze small MPs, down to a size of 11 μm or even smaller, in the Antarctic Treaty Area to gain a more comprehensive understanding of MP pollution and its potential ecological impacts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara Leistenschneider
- Man-Society-Environment Program, Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Basel, Vesalgasse 1, 4051 Basel, Switzerland; Shelf Sea System Ecology, Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Kurpromenade 201, 27498 Helgoland, Germany
| | - Fangzhu Wu
- Shelf Sea System Ecology, Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Kurpromenade 201, 27498 Helgoland, Germany
| | - Sebastian Primpke
- Shelf Sea System Ecology, Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Kurpromenade 201, 27498 Helgoland, Germany
| | - Gunnar Gerdts
- Shelf Sea System Ecology, Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Kurpromenade 201, 27498 Helgoland, Germany
| | - Patricia Burkhardt-Holm
- Man-Society-Environment Program, Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Basel, Vesalgasse 1, 4051 Basel, Switzerland
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Rondon R, Cosseau C, Bergami E, Cárdenas CA, Pérez-Toledo C, Alvarez D, Aldridge J, Font A, Garrido I, Santa Cruz F, Perrois G, Balbi T, Corsi I, González-Aravena M. Exposure to nanoplastics and nanomaterials either single and combined affects the gill-associated microbiome of the Antarctic soft-shelled clam Laternula elliptica. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 198:106539. [PMID: 38718522 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2024.106539] [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: 12/04/2023] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
Nanoplastics and engineering nanomaterials (ENMs) are contaminants of emerging concern (CECs), increasingly being detected in the marine environment and recognized as a potential threat for marine biota at the global level including in polar areas. Few studies have assessed the impact of these anthropogenic nanoparticles in the microbiome of marine invertebrates, however combined exposure resembling natural scenarios has been overlooked. The present study aimed to evaluate the single and combined effects of polystyrene nanoparticles (PS NP) as proxy for nanoplastics and nanoscale titanium dioxide (nano-TiO2) on the prokaryotic communities associated with the gill tissue of the Antarctic soft-shell clam Laternula elliptica, a keystone species of marine benthos Wild-caught specimens were exposed to two environmentally relevant concentrations of carboxylated PS NP (PS-COOH NP, ∼62 nm size) and nano-TiO2 (Aeroxide P25, ∼25 nm) as 5 and 50 μg/L either single and combined for 96h in a semi-static condition.Our findings show a shift in microbiome composition in gills of soft-shell clams exposed to PS NP and nano-TiO2 either alone and in combination with a decrease in the relative abundance of OTU1 (Spirochaetaceae). In addition, an increase of gammaproteobacterial OTUs affiliated to MBAE14 and Methylophagaceae (involved in ammonia denitrification and associated with low-quality water), and the OTU Colwellia rossensis (previously recorded in polluted waters) was observed. Our results suggest that nanoplastics and nano-TiO2 alone and in combination induce alterations in microbiome composition by promoting the increase of negative taxa over beneficial ones in the gills of the Antarctic soft-shell clam. An increase of two low abundance OTUs in PS-COOH NPs exposed clams was also observed. A predicted gene function analysis revealed that sugar, lipid, protein and DNA metabolism were the main functions affected by either PS-COOH NP and nano-TiO2 exposure. The molecular functions involved in the altered affiliated OTUs are novel for nano-CEC exposures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodolfo Rondon
- Departamento Científico, Instituto Antártico Chileno, Punta Arenas, Chile.
| | - Céline Cosseau
- IHPE, Univ. Montpellier, CNRS, Ifremer, Univ. Perpignan Via Domitia, Perpignan, France
| | - Elisa Bergami
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - César A Cárdenas
- Departamento Científico, Instituto Antártico Chileno, Punta Arenas, Chile; Millenium Institute Biodiversity of Antarctic and Subantarctic Ecosystems (BASE), Santiago, Chile
| | | | - Diego Alvarez
- Centro Asistencial Docente y de Investigación, Universidad de Magallanes, Punta Arenas, Chile
| | - Jacqueline Aldridge
- Departamento de Ingeniería en Computación, Universidad de Magallanes, Punta Arenas, Chile
| | - Alejandro Font
- Departamento Científico, Instituto Antártico Chileno, Punta Arenas, Chile
| | - Ignacio Garrido
- Centro de Investigaciones Dinámica de Ecosistemas Marinos de Altas Latitudes, Valdivia, Chile; Instituto de Ciencias Marinas y Limnológicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | | | - Garance Perrois
- Departamento Científico, Instituto Antártico Chileno, Punta Arenas, Chile; Tropical & Subtropical Research Center, Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology, Jeju, 63349, Republic of Korea
| | - Teresa Balbi
- Department of Earth Environment and Life Sciences, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Ilaria Corsi
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
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De-la-Torre GE, Santillán L, Dioses-Salinas DC, Yenney E, Toapanta T, Okoffo ED, Kannan G, Madadi R, Dobaradaran S. Assessing the current state of plastic pollution research in Antarctica: Knowledge gaps and recommendations. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 355:141870. [PMID: 38570048 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.141870] [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: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 02/17/2024] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
Antarctica stands as one of the most isolated and pristine regions on our planet. Regardless, recent studies have evidenced the presence of plastic pollution in Antarctic environments and biota. While these findings are alarming and put into perspective the reach of plastic pollution, it is necessary to assess the current knowledge of plastic pollution in Antarctica. In the present review, an updated literature review of plastic pollution in multiple Antarctic environmental compartments and biota was conducted. Studies were cataloged based on environmental compartments (e.g., sediments, seawater, soil, atmosphere) and biota from different ecological niches. A detailed analysis of the main findings, as well as the flaws and shortcomings across studies, was conducted. In general terms, several studies have shown a lack of adequate sampling and analytical procedures for plastic research (particularly in the case of microplastics) and standard procedures; thus, compromising the reliability of the data reported and comparability across studies. Aiming to guide future studies and highlight research needs, a list of knowledge gaps and recommendations were provided based on the analysis and discussion of the literature and following standardized procedures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Enrique De-la-Torre
- Grupo de Investigación de Biodiversidad, Medio Ambiente y Sociedad, Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola, Lima, Peru.
| | - Luis Santillán
- Grupo de Investigación de Biodiversidad, Medio Ambiente y Sociedad, Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola, Lima, Peru
| | | | - Emma Yenney
- iES Landau, Institute for Environmental Sciences, University of Kaiserslautern-Landau (RPTU), Landau, Germany
| | - Tania Toapanta
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, Australia
| | - Elvis D Okoffo
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, Australia
| | - Gunasekaran Kannan
- Department of Marine Science, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
| | - Reyhane Madadi
- Environmental Research Laboratory, School of Civil Engineering, Iran University of Science and Technology, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sina Dobaradaran
- Systems Environmental Health and Energy Research Center, The Persian Gulf Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran; Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Faculty of Health and Nutrition, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran; Instrumental Analytical Chemistry and Centre for Water and Environmental Research (ZWU), Faculty of Chemistry, University of Duisburg-Essen, Universitätsstr. 5, Essen, Germany
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5
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Cebuhar JD, Negrete J, Rodríguez Pirani LS, Picone AL, Proietti M, Romano RM, Della Védova CO, Casaux R, Secchi ER, Botta S. Anthropogenic debris in three sympatric seal species of the Western Antarctic Peninsula. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 922:171273. [PMID: 38408675 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171273] [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: 12/30/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
Litter pollution is a growing concern, including for Antarctica and the species that inhabit this ecosystem. In this study, we investigated the microplastic contamination in three seal species that inhabit the Western Antarctic Peninsula: crabeater (Lobodon carcinophaga), leopard (Hydrurga leptonyx) and Weddell (Leptonychotes weddellii) seals. Given the worldwide ubiquity of this type of contaminant, including the Southern Ocean, we hypothesized that the three seal species would present anthropogenic debris in their feces. We examined 29 scat samples of crabeater (n = 5), leopard (n = 13) and Weddell (n = 11) seals. The chemical composition of the items found were identified using micro-Raman and micro-FTIR spectroscopies. All the samples of the three species presented anthropic particles (frequency of occurrence - %FO - 100 %). Fibers were the predominant debris, but fragments and filaments were also present. Particles smaller than 5 mm (micro debris) were predominant in all the samples. Leopard seals ingested significantly larger micro-debris in comparison with the other seal species. The dominant color was black followed by blue and white. Micro-Raman and micro-FTIR Spectroscopies revealed the presence of different anthropogenic pigments such as reactive blue 238, Indigo 3600 and copper phthalocyanine (blue and green). Carbon black was also detected in the samples, as well as plastic polymers such as polystyrene, polyester and polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyamide, polypropylene and polyurethane These results confirm the presence of anthropogenic contamination in Antarctic seals and highlight the need for actions to mitigate the effects and reduce the contribution of debris in the Antarctic ecosystem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julieta D Cebuhar
- Laboratório de Ecologia e Conservação da Megafauna Marinha, Instituto de Oceanografia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande-FURG, Av. Itália Km 8 s/n, Rio Grande, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Oceanografia Biológica, Instituto de Oceanografia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande-FURG, Rio Grande, Brazil.
| | - Javier Negrete
- Laboratório de Predadores Tope, Instituto Antártico Argentino, Av. 25 de Mayo 1147, Villa Lynch, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo, Calle 64 N° 3, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata 1900, Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas Y Técnicas (CONICET), Godoy Cruz, 2290, C1425FQB, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Lucas S Rodríguez Pirani
- CEQUINOR (UNLP, CCT-CONICET La Plata, associated with CIC), Departamento de Química, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Blvd. 120 N° 1465, La Plata 1900, Argentina
| | - A Lorena Picone
- CEQUINOR (UNLP, CCT-CONICET La Plata, associated with CIC), Departamento de Química, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Blvd. 120 N° 1465, La Plata 1900, Argentina
| | - Maira Proietti
- Laboratório de Ecologia Molecular Marinha and Projeto Lixo Marinho, Instituto de Oceanografia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande-FURG, Av. Itália Km 8 s/n, Rio Grande, Brasil Rio Grande, Brazil; The Ocean Cleanup, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Rosana M Romano
- CEQUINOR (UNLP, CCT-CONICET La Plata, associated with CIC), Departamento de Química, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Blvd. 120 N° 1465, La Plata 1900, Argentina
| | - Carlos O Della Védova
- CEQUINOR (UNLP, CCT-CONICET La Plata, associated with CIC), Departamento de Química, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Blvd. 120 N° 1465, La Plata 1900, Argentina
| | - Ricardo Casaux
- Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagónica (CIEMEP), Roca 780, 9200 Esquel, Chubut, Argentina
| | - Eduardo R Secchi
- Laboratório de Ecologia e Conservação da Megafauna Marinha, Instituto de Oceanografia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande-FURG, Av. Itália Km 8 s/n, Rio Grande, Brazil
| | - Silvina Botta
- Laboratório de Ecologia e Conservação da Megafauna Marinha, Instituto de Oceanografia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande-FURG, Av. Itália Km 8 s/n, Rio Grande, Brazil
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Xie J, Gowen A, Xu W, Xu J. Analysing micro- and nanoplastics with cutting-edge infrared spectroscopy techniques: a critical review. ANALYTICAL METHODS : ADVANCING METHODS AND APPLICATIONS 2024; 16:2177-2197. [PMID: 38533677 DOI: 10.1039/d3ay01808c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
The escalating prominence of micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) as emerging anthropogenic pollutants has sparked widespread scientific and public interest. These minuscule particles pervade the global environment, permeating drinking water and food sources, prompting concerns regarding their environmental impacts and potential risks to human health. In recent years, the field of MNP research has witnessed the development and application of cutting-edge infrared (IR) spectroscopic instruments. This review focuses on the recent application of advanced IR spectroscopic techniques and relevant instrumentation to analyse MNPs. A comprehensive literature search was conducted, encompassing articles published within the past three years. The findings revealed that Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy stands as the most used technique, with focal plane array FTIR (FPA-FTIR) representing the cutting edge in FTIR spectroscopy. The second most popular technique is quantum cascade laser infrared (QCL-IR) spectroscopy, which has facilitated rapid analysis of plastic particles. Following closely is optical photothermal infrared (O-PTIR) spectroscopy, which can furnish submicron spatial resolution. Subsequently, there is atomic force microscopy-based infrared (AFM-IR) spectroscopy, which has made it feasible to analyse MNPs at the nanoscale level. The most advanced IR instruments identified in articles covered in this review were compared. Comparison metrics encompass substrates/filters, data quality, spatial resolution, data acquisition speed, data processing and cost. The limitations of these IR instruments were identified, and recommendations to address these limitations were proposed. The findings of this review offer valuable guidance to MNP researchers in selecting suitable instrumentation for their research experiments, thereby facilitating advancements in research aimed at enhancing our understanding of the environmental and human health risks associated with MNPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junhao Xie
- School of Biosystems and Food Engineering, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
| | - Aoife Gowen
- School of Biosystems and Food Engineering, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
| | - Wei Xu
- Department of Life Sciences, Center for Coastal Studies, College of Sciences, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, USA
| | - Junli Xu
- School of Biosystems and Food Engineering, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
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González-Aravena M, Rotunno C, Cárdenas CA, Torres M, Morley SA, Hurley J, Caro-Lara L, Pozo K, Galban C, Rondon R. Detection of plastic, cellulosic micro-fragments and microfibers in Laternula elliptica from King George Island (Maritime Antarctica). MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 201:116257. [PMID: 38518575 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116257] [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: 02/01/2024] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/24/2024]
Abstract
It is generally acknowledged that microplastic pollutants are prevalent in ocean waters and sediments across a range of tropical, temperate, subpolar, and polar regions. The waters surrounding King George Island are significantly impacted by human activities, particularly those related to scientific stations, fishing, and tourism. Organisms, such as Laternula elliptica, can be used as environmental monitors due to the likelihood that they will bioaccumulate pollutants. The goal of this study was to quantify and identify plastic and cellulosic micro-fragments and microfibers present in the soft body of clams (n = 21), collected from Fildes Bay near sewage and wastewater discharges. Plastic and cellulose microfragments and microfibers were counted, and their compositions were determined using FT-IR. All 21 individuals sampled contained fragments and fibers, with a total of 900 items detected (42.86 ± 25.36 mean ± SD items per individual), or 1.82 items g.wet mass-1. 58 % of items were cellulose and 22 % plastic. Considering the plastic polymer compositions, 28.57 % were polyethylene terephthalate (PET), 21.43 % acrylic, 14.29 % high-density polyethylene (HDPE), 14.29 % Polypropylene (PP), 7.14 % ultra-high drawn polyethylene filament (UHMWPE), 7.14 % polyester and 7.14 % Polyethylene. The quantities and prevalence of MP in L. elliptica were higher than those found in other Antarctic marine species, and even in bivalves from populated regions of the world. Our work assessed the pollution status of L. elliptica near an effluent of wastewater plants and found that 95 % of individuals displayed MP and 100 % microfibers that could impact their population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcelo González-Aravena
- Departamento Científico, Instituto Antártico Chileno, Plaza Muñoz Gamero 1055, Punta Arenas, Chile
| | - Carmen Rotunno
- Departamento Científico, Instituto Antártico Chileno, Plaza Muñoz Gamero 1055, Punta Arenas, Chile; Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago de Chile, Chile
| | - César A Cárdenas
- Departamento Científico, Instituto Antártico Chileno, Plaza Muñoz Gamero 1055, Punta Arenas, Chile; Millennium Institute Biodiversity of Antarctic and Subantarctic Ecosystems (BASE), Santiago de Chile, Chile
| | - Mariett Torres
- Facultad de Ingeniería, Arquitectura y Diseño, Universidad San Sebastián, Lientur 1457, Concepción, Chile
| | - Simon A Morley
- British Antarctic Survey, Natural Environment Research Council, Cambridge, UK
| | - Jessica Hurley
- British Antarctic Survey, Natural Environment Research Council, Cambridge, UK; Department of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Hull, Hull, UK
| | - Luis Caro-Lara
- Unidad de Proyectos y Medio Ambiente, Instituto Antártico Chileno, Plaza Muñoz Gamero 1055, Punta Arenas, Chile
| | - Karla Pozo
- Facultad de Ingeniería, Arquitectura y Diseño, Universidad San Sebastián, Lientur 1457, Concepción, Chile; RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlarska 2, Brno, Czechia
| | - Cristóbal Galban
- GEMA Center for Genomics, Ecology & Environment, Universidad Mayor, Camino La Pirámide 5780, Huechuraba, Santiago de Chile, Chile
| | - Rodolfo Rondon
- Departamento Científico, Instituto Antártico Chileno, Plaza Muñoz Gamero 1055, Punta Arenas, Chile.
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Primpke S, Meyer B, Falcou-Préfol M, Schütte W, Gerdts G. At second glance: The importance of strict quality control - A case study on microplastic in the Southern Ocean key species Antarctic krill, Euphausia superba. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 918:170618. [PMID: 38325470 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170618] [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: 11/23/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
The stomach content of 60 krill specimens from the Southern Ocean were analyzed for the presence of microplastic (MP), by testing different sample volumes, extraction approaches, and applying hyperspectral imaging Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (μFTIR). Strict quality control was applied on the generated results. A high load of residual materials in pooled samples hampered the analysis and avoided a reliable determination of putative MP particles. Individual krill stomachs displayed reliable results, however, only after re-treating the samples with hydrogen peroxide. Before this treatment, lipid rich residues of krill resulted in false assignments of polymer categories and hence, false high MP particle numbers. Finally, MP was identified in 4 stomachs out of 60, with only one MP particle per stomach. Our study highlights the importance of strict quality control to verify results before coming to a final decision on MP contamination in the environment to aid the establishment of suitable internationally standardized protocols for sampling and analysis of MP in organisms including their habitats in Southern Ocean and worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Primpke
- Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Division Shelf Sea System Ecology, Biologische Anstalt Helgoland, Kurpromenade, 27498 Helgoland, Germany.
| | - Bettina Meyer
- Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research, Division Polar Biological Oceanography, Am Handelshafen 12, 27570 Bremerhaven, Germany; Carl-von-Ossietzky University Oldenburg, Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment, Ammerländer Heerstraße 114-118, 26129 Oldenburg, Germany; Helmholtz Institute for Functional Marine Biodiversity (HIFMB) at the Carl-von-Ossietzky University, Oldenburg 26111, Germany.
| | - Mathilde Falcou-Préfol
- Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Division Shelf Sea System Ecology, Biologische Anstalt Helgoland, Kurpromenade, 27498 Helgoland, Germany; Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research, Division Polar Biological Oceanography, Am Handelshafen 12, 27570 Bremerhaven, Germany; Nantes Université, 1 Quai de Tourville, 44035 Nantes Cedex 1, France
| | - Wyona Schütte
- Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research, Division Polar Biological Oceanography, Am Handelshafen 12, 27570 Bremerhaven, Germany; Carl-von-Ossietzky University Oldenburg, Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment, Ammerländer Heerstraße 114-118, 26129 Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Gunnar Gerdts
- Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Division Shelf Sea System Ecology, Biologische Anstalt Helgoland, Kurpromenade, 27498 Helgoland, Germany
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Barbe V, Jacquin J, Bouzon M, Wolinski A, Derippe G, Cheng J, Cruaud C, Roche D, Fouteau S, Petit JL, Conan P, Pujo-Pay M, Bruzaud S, Ghiglione JF. Bioplastic degradation and assimilation processes by a novel bacterium isolated from the marine plastisphere. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 466:133573. [PMID: 38306834 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.133573] [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: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/04/2024]
Abstract
Biosourced and biodegradable plastics offer a promising solution to reduce environmental impacts of plastics for specific applications. Here, we report a novel bacterium named Alteromonas plasticoclasticus MED1 isolated from the marine plastisphere that forms biofilms on foils of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV). Experiments of degradation halo, plastic matrix weight loss, bacterial oxygen consumption and heterotrophic biosynthetic activity showed that the bacterial isolate MED1 is able to degrade PHBV and to use it as carbon and energy source. The likely entire metabolic pathway specifically expressed by this bacterium grown on PHBV matrices was shown by further genomic and transcriptomic analysis. In addition to a gene coding for a probable secreted depolymerase, a gene cluster was located that encodes characteristic enzymes involved in the complete depolymerization of PHBV, the transport of oligomers, and in the conversion of the monomers into intermediates of central carbon metabolism. The transcriptomic experiments showed the activation of the glyoxylate shunt during PHBV degradation, setting the isocitrate dehydrogenase activity as regulated branching point of the carbon flow entering the tricarboxylic acid cycle. Our study also shows the potential of exploring the natural plastisphere to discover new bacteria with promising metabolic capabilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valérie Barbe
- Génomique Métabolique, Genoscope, Institut François Jacob, CEA, CNRS, Univ Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, Evry, France
| | - Justine Jacquin
- CNRS, Sorbonne Université, UMR 7621, Laboratoire d'Océanographie Microbienne, Observatoire Océanologique de Banyuls, France
| | - Madeleine Bouzon
- Génomique Métabolique, Genoscope, Institut François Jacob, CEA, CNRS, Univ Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, Evry, France
| | - Adèle Wolinski
- CNRS, Sorbonne Université, UMR 7621, Laboratoire d'Océanographie Microbienne, Observatoire Océanologique de Banyuls, France
| | - Gabrielle Derippe
- CNRS, Sorbonne Université, UMR 7621, Laboratoire d'Océanographie Microbienne, Observatoire Océanologique de Banyuls, France; Institut de Recherche Dupuy de Lôme (IRDL), Université de Bretagne-Sud, UMR CNRS 6027, Rue Saint Maudé, Lorient, France
| | - Jingguang Cheng
- CNRS, Sorbonne Université, UMR 7621, Laboratoire d'Océanographie Microbienne, Observatoire Océanologique de Banyuls, France
| | - Corinne Cruaud
- Genoscope, Institut François Jacob, CEA, CNRS, Univ Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, Evry, France
| | - David Roche
- Génomique Métabolique, Genoscope, Institut François Jacob, CEA, CNRS, Univ Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, Evry, France
| | - Stéphanie Fouteau
- Génomique Métabolique, Genoscope, Institut François Jacob, CEA, CNRS, Univ Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, Evry, France
| | - Jean-Louis Petit
- Génomique Métabolique, Genoscope, Institut François Jacob, CEA, CNRS, Univ Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, Evry, France
| | - Pascal Conan
- CNRS, Sorbonne Université, UMR 7621, Laboratoire d'Océanographie Microbienne, Observatoire Océanologique de Banyuls, France
| | - Mireille Pujo-Pay
- CNRS, Sorbonne Université, UMR 7621, Laboratoire d'Océanographie Microbienne, Observatoire Océanologique de Banyuls, France
| | - Stéphane Bruzaud
- Institut de Recherche Dupuy de Lôme (IRDL), Université de Bretagne-Sud, UMR CNRS 6027, Rue Saint Maudé, Lorient, France
| | - Jean-François Ghiglione
- CNRS, Sorbonne Université, UMR 7621, Laboratoire d'Océanographie Microbienne, Observatoire Océanologique de Banyuls, France.
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10
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Monràs-Riera P, Angulo-Preckler C, Avila C. Quantification and distribution of marine microdebris in the surface waters of Livingston Island (South Shetland Islands, Antarctica). MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 195:115516. [PMID: 37690406 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115516] [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: 07/22/2023] [Revised: 09/02/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
Microdebris are ubiquitous and the Southern Ocean is no exception. Despite the recent increment in Antarctic studies assessing this threat, there is still scarce information available. Here, we quantified the microdebris in surface water, and their distribution within two bays of Livingston Island (South Shetlands, Antarctica). The two studied bays included one with human presence and one pristine, barely visited. Microdebris pollution was found in all samples with a mean concentration of 0.264 ± 0.185 items/m3. Fibres (82.19 %) were the main item, with polyester (61.67 %) as the main plastic polymer, followed by nylon (29.54 %). No differences in the distribution pattern were observed, with microdebris being homogeneously distributed along the two bays. Our results suggest that nearshore waters of Livingston Island are prone to the accumulation and retention of microdebris. The composition of the microdebris also points to Antarctic local activities as principal contamination contributors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pere Monràs-Riera
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology, Environmental Sciences, and Biodiversity Research Institute (IrBIO), Faculty of Biology, University of Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
| | - Carlos Angulo-Preckler
- Red Sea Research Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Conxita Avila
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology, Environmental Sciences, and Biodiversity Research Institute (IrBIO), Faculty of Biology, University of Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
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11
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Ergas M, Figueroa D, Paschke K, Urbina MA, Navarro JM, Vargas-Chacoff L. Cellulosic and microplastic fibers in the Antarctic fish Harpagifer antarcticus and Sub-Antarctic Harpagifer bispinis. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 194:115380. [PMID: 37562239 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2023] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023]
Abstract
Human settlements within the Antarctic continent have caused significant coastal pollution by littering plastic. The present study assessed the potential presence of microplastics in the gastrointestinal tract of the Antarctic fish Harpagifer antarcticus, endemic to the polar region, and in the sub-Antarctic fish Harpagifer bispinis. H. antarcticus. A total of 358 microfibers of multiple colors were found in 89 % of H. antarcticus and 73 % of H. bispinis gastrointestinal track. A Micro-FTIR analysis characterized a sub-group (n = 42) of microfibers. It revealed that most of the fibers were cellulose (69 %). Manmade fibers such as microplastics polyethylene terephtalate, acrylics, and semisynthetic/natural cellulosic fibers were present in the fish samples. All the microfibers extracted were textile fibers of blue, black, red, green, and violet color. Our results suggest that laundry greywater discharges of human settlements near coastal waters in Antarctica are a major source of these pollutants in the Antarctic fish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mauricio Ergas
- Instituto de Ciencias Marinas y Limnológicas, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Daniela Figueroa
- Instituto de Ciencias Marinas y Limnológicas, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Kurt Paschke
- Centro Fondap de Investigación de Altas Latitudes (IDEAL), Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile; Instituto de Acuicultura, Universidad Austral de Chile, Puerto Montt, Chile; Millennium Institute Biodiversity of Antarctic and Subantarctic Ecosystems, BASE, University Austral of Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Mauricio A Urbina
- Departamento de Zoología, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Oceanográficas, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile; Instituto Milenio de Oceanografía (IMO), Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | - Jorge M Navarro
- Instituto de Ciencias Marinas y Limnológicas, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile; Centro Fondap de Investigación de Altas Latitudes (IDEAL), Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Luis Vargas-Chacoff
- Instituto de Ciencias Marinas y Limnológicas, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile; Centro Fondap de Investigación de Altas Latitudes (IDEAL), Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile; Millennium Institute Biodiversity of Antarctic and Subantarctic Ecosystems, BASE, University Austral of Chile, Valdivia, Chile; Integrative Biology Group, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile.
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12
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Rowlands E, Galloway T, Cole M, Peck VL, Posacka A, Thorpe S, Manno C. Vertical flux of microplastic, a case study in the Southern Ocean, South Georgia. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 193:115117. [PMID: 37331275 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Revised: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023]
Abstract
Estimated plastic debris floating at the ocean surface varies depending on modelling approaches, with some suggesting unaccounted sinks for marine plastic debris due to mismatches between plastic predicted to enter the ocean and that accounted for at the surface. A major knowledge gap relates to the vertical sinking of oceanic plastic. We used an array of floating sediment traps combined with optical microscopy and Raman spectroscopy to measure the microplastic flux between 50 and 150 m water depth over 24 h within a natural harbour of the sub-Antarctic island of South Georgia. This region is influenced by fishing, tourism, and research activity. We found a 69 % decrease in microplastic flux from 50 m (306 pieces/m2/day) to 150 m (94pieces/m2/day). Our study confirms the occurrence of a vertical flux of microplastic in the upper water column of the Southern Ocean, which may influence zooplankton microplastic consumption and the carbon cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Rowlands
- British Antarctic Survey, High Cross, Madingley Rd, Cambridge CB3 0ET, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; University of Exeter, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Streatham Campus, Stocker Rd, Exeter EX4 4PY, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
| | - Tamara Galloway
- University of Exeter, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Streatham Campus, Stocker Rd, Exeter EX4 4PY, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Matthew Cole
- Plymouth marine laboratory, Prospect Pl, Plymouth PL1 3DH, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Victoria L Peck
- British Antarctic Survey, High Cross, Madingley Rd, Cambridge CB3 0ET, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Anna Posacka
- Ocean Diagnostics, Suite 1102, 4464 Markham Street, Victoria, BC V8Z 7X8, Canada
| | - Sally Thorpe
- British Antarctic Survey, High Cross, Madingley Rd, Cambridge CB3 0ET, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Clara Manno
- British Antarctic Survey, High Cross, Madingley Rd, Cambridge CB3 0ET, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
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