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Ledet J, Tan C, Guan XH, Yong CLX, Ying L, Todd P. Trapping of microplastics and other anthropogenic particles in seagrass beds: Ubiquity across a vertical and horizontal sampling gradient. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 197:106487. [PMID: 38583358 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2024.106487] [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: 01/24/2024] [Revised: 03/30/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
Seagrass beds can trap large amounts of marine debris leading to areas of accumulation, known as 'sinks', of anthropogenic particles. While the presence of vegetation can enhance accumulation, less is known about how the trapping effect changes from vegetated to less vegetated patches. To test this, vegetation and sediment were sampled along a vegetation percent cover gradient from the centre of seagrass beds to nearby less vegetated patches. To determine whether trapped particles can lead to increased accumulation in associated fauna, gastropods were also collected from the transects laid across this gradient. Extracted anthropogenic particles were counted and characterised. Particles were detected in all sample types and reached quantifiable limits in at least 50% of sediment and gastropod samples. There was no significant difference in the distribution of particles found in seagrass beds compared to less vegetated patches, suggesting other factors contribute to the trapping efficiency of biogenic habitats besides simply the presence or absence of vegetation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janine Ledet
- Experimental Marine Ecology Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, 16 Science Drive 4, Block S3 Level 2, Singapore, 117558
| | - Chloe Tan
- Experimental Marine Ecology Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, 16 Science Drive 4, Block S3 Level 2, Singapore, 117558
| | - Xing Hua Guan
- Experimental Marine Ecology Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, 16 Science Drive 4, Block S3 Level 2, Singapore, 117558
| | - Clara Lei Xin Yong
- Experimental Marine Ecology Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, 16 Science Drive 4, Block S3 Level 2, Singapore, 117558
| | - Lynette Ying
- Experimental Marine Ecology Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, 16 Science Drive 4, Block S3 Level 2, Singapore, 117558
| | - Peter Todd
- Experimental Marine Ecology Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, 16 Science Drive 4, Block S3 Level 2, Singapore, 117558.
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Mendrik F, Houseago RC, Hackney CR, Parsons DR. Microplastic trapping efficiency and hydrodynamics in model coral reefs: A physical experimental investigation. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 342:123094. [PMID: 38072017 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.123094] [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: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
Coastal ecosystems, such as coral reefs, are vulnerable to microplastic pollution input from proximal riverine and shoreline sources. However, deposition, retention, and transport processes are largely unevaluated, especially in relation to hydrodynamics. For the first time, we experimentally investigate the retention of biofilmed microplastic by branching 3D printed corals (staghorn coral Acropora genus) under various unidirectional flows (U = {0.15, 0.20, 0.25, 0.30} ms-1) and canopy densities (15 and 48 corals m-2). These variables are found to drive trapping efficiency, with 79-98% of microplastics retained in coral canopies across the experimental duration at high flow velocities (U = 0.25-0.30 ms-1), compared to 10-13% for the bare bed, with denser canopies retaining only 15% more microplastics than the sparse canopy at highest flow conditions (U = 0.30 ms-1). Three fundamental trapping mechanisms were identified: (a) particle interception, (b) settlement on branches or within coral, and (c) accumulation in the downstream wake region of the coral. Corresponding hydrodynamics reveal that microplastic retention and spatial distribution is modulated by the energy-dissipative effects of corals due to flow-structure interactions reducing in-canopy velocities and generating localised turbulence. The wider ecological implications for coral systems are discussed in light of the findings, particularly in terms of concentrations and locations of plastic accumulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Freija Mendrik
- Energy and Environment Institute, University of Hull, UK; International Marine Litter Research Unit, University of Plymouth, UK; School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, UK.
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Román M, Gilbert F, Viejo RM, Román S, Troncoso JS, Vázquez E, Olabarria C. Are clam-seagrass interactions affected by heatwaves during emersion? MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 186:105906. [PMID: 36773414 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2023.105906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2022] [Revised: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The increased frequency of heatwaves expected in the context of global warming will affect socio-ecological systems such as shellfish beds at intertidal seagrass meadows. A mesocosm experiment was performed to assess the effects of a simulated atmospheric heatwave during low tide on the bioturbation indicators and growth of the commercial juvenile native Ruditapes decussatus and the introduced clam R. philippinarum, and on their interactions with the seagrass Zostera noltei. Under the heatwave, heat dissipation at 5 cm depth was significantly greater in the sediments below Z. noltei than below bare sand, the photosynthetic efficiency (Fv/Fm) of Z. noltei decreased and the clams tended to grow less. Furthermore, after the heatwave clams below bare sand tended to burrow deeper than those below Z. noltei, indicating that seagrass provided a refuge for clams. Ruditapes philippinarum grew less, and did not burrow as deeply as R. decussatus, which may imply greater vulnerability to desiccation and heat at low tide. The particle displacement coefficient (PDC) of R. philippinarum indicated lower bioturbation values in Z. noltei than in bare sand and was a suitable bioturbation indicator for juvenile Ruditapes spp. clams. In Z. noltei coexisting with R. philippinarum, the Fv/Fm values were higher than without clams after a recovery period, which may be linked to the assimilation of phosphate excreted by the clams and suggests a facilitative interaction. No such interaction was observed with R. deccusatus, probably because of its deeper burrowing depth. The findings suggest reciprocal facilitative interactions between R. philippinarum and Z. noltei and the potential contribution of Z. noltei to the sustainability of clams under global warming scenarios, which may support management actions aimed at enhancing the coexistence between shellfishing activities and seagrass conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Román
- Centro de Investigación Mariña, Universidade de Vigo, EcoCost, Facultade de Ciencias do Mar, Edificio CC Experimentais, Campus de Vigo, As Lagoas-Marcosende, 36310, Vigo, Spain.
| | - Franck Gilbert
- Laboratoire Écologie Fonctionnelle et Environnement, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, Toulouse INP, Université Toulouse 3 - Paul Sabatier (UPS), Toulouse, France.
| | - Rosa M Viejo
- Área de Biodiversidad y Conservación, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, ES-28933, Móstoles, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Salvador Román
- Centro de Investigación Mariña, Universidade de Vigo, EcoCost, Facultade de Ciencias do Mar, Edificio CC Experimentais, Campus de Vigo, As Lagoas-Marcosende, 36310, Vigo, Spain.
| | - Jesús S Troncoso
- Centro de Investigación Mariña, Universidade de Vigo, EcoCost, Facultade de Ciencias do Mar, Edificio CC Experimentais, Campus de Vigo, As Lagoas-Marcosende, 36310, Vigo, Spain.
| | - Elsa Vázquez
- Centro de Investigación Mariña, Universidade de Vigo, EcoCost, Facultade de Ciencias do Mar, Edificio CC Experimentais, Campus de Vigo, As Lagoas-Marcosende, 36310, Vigo, Spain.
| | - Celia Olabarria
- Centro de Investigación Mariña, Universidade de Vigo, EcoCost, Facultade de Ciencias do Mar, Edificio CC Experimentais, Campus de Vigo, As Lagoas-Marcosende, 36310, Vigo, Spain.
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Cozzolino L, Nicastro KR, Seuront L, McQuaid CD, Zardi GI. The relative effects of interspecific and intraspecific diversity on microplastic trapping in coastal biogenic habitats. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 848:157771. [PMID: 35926622 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.157771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Revised: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Our understanding of how anthropogenic stressors such as climate change and plastic pollution interact with biodiversity is being widened to include diversity below the species level, i.e., intraspecific variation. The emerging appreciation of the key ecological importance of intraspecific diversity and its potential loss in the Anthropocene, further highlights the need to assess the relative importance of intraspecific versus interspecific diversity. One such issue is whether a species responds as a homogenous whole to plastic pollution. Using manipulative field transplant experiments and laboratory-controlled hydrodynamic simulations, we assessed the relative effects of intraspecific and interspecific diversity on microplastic trapping in coastal biogenic habitats dominated by two key bioengineers, the brown intertidal macroalgae Fucus vesiculosus and F. guiryi. At the individual level, northern morphotypes of F. guiryi trapped more microplastics than southern individuals, and F. vesiculosus trapped more microplastics than F. guiryi. Canopy density varied among species, however, leading to reversed patterns of microplastic accumulation, with F. guiryi canopies accumulating more microplastics than those of F. vesiculosus, while no differences were observed between the canopies of F. guiryi morphotypes. We emphasize the importance of assessing the effects of intraspecific variation which, along with other crucial factors such as canopy density, flow velocity and polymer composition, modulates the extent of microplastic accumulation in coastal biogenic habitats. Our findings indicate that a realistic estimation of plastic accumulation in biogenic habitats requires an understanding of within- and between-species traits at both the individual and population levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Cozzolino
- CCMAR-Centro de Ciencias do Mar, CIMAR Laboratório Associado, Universidade do Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, Faro 8005-139, Portugal.
| | - Katy R Nicastro
- CCMAR-Centro de Ciencias do Mar, CIMAR Laboratório Associado, Universidade do Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, Faro 8005-139, Portugal; Univ. Lille, CNRS, Univ. Littoral Côte d'Opale, UMR 8187 - LOG - Laboratoire d'Océanologie et de Géosciences, F-59000 Lille, France; Department of Zoology and Entomology, Rhodes University, Grahamstown 6140, South Africa
| | - Laurent Seuront
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, Univ. Littoral Côte d'Opale, UMR 8187 - LOG - Laboratoire d'Océanologie et de Géosciences, F-59000 Lille, France; Department of Zoology and Entomology, Rhodes University, Grahamstown 6140, South Africa; Department of Marine Resources and Energy, Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology, 4-5-7 Konan, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8477, Japan
| | - Christopher D McQuaid
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, Rhodes University, Grahamstown 6140, South Africa
| | - Gerardo I Zardi
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, Rhodes University, Grahamstown 6140, South Africa; Normandie Université, UNICAEN, Laboratoire Biologie des Organismes et Ecosystèmes Aquatiques, UMR 8067 BOREA (CNRS, MNHN, UPMC, UCBN, IRD-207), CS 14032, 14000 Caen, France
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Pastor A, Ospina-Alvarez A, Larsen J, Thorbjørn Hansen F, Krause-Jensen D, Maar M. A network analysis of connected biophysical pathways to advice eelgrass (Zostera marina) restoration. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 179:105690. [PMID: 35853313 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2022.105690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Revised: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The North Sea and the Baltic Sea, including Danish coastal waters, have experienced a drastic decline in eelgrass Zostera marina coverage during the past century. Around 1900, eelgrass meadows covered about 6700 km2 of Danish coastal waters while the current potential distribution area is only about one third of this. In some areas, the potential distribution area is far from realized, and restoration efforts are needed to assist recovery. Such efforts are challenging, and resource-demanding and careful site selection is, therefore, important. In the present study, we aim to identify the connectivity of eelgrass populations as a basis for guiding site selection for restoration. We developed a coupled biophysical model to study eelgrass dispersal in the Kattegat. Partly submerged particles simulated the dispersal of reproductive eelgrass shoots containing seeds during the flowering season July-September. We then used network analysis to identify the potential connectivity between populations. We evaluated connectivity based on In-strength, Betweenness and Eigenvector centrality metrics and identified key areas in the Kattegat such as the central part of Aalborg Bay, to be considered to restore the network of Z. marina patches. The study proves the potentials of combining hydrodynamic models and network analysis to support marine conservation and planning, and highlights the importance of collaboration between ecologists, oceanographers, and practitioners in this endeavour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ane Pastor
- Department of Ecoscience, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000, Roskilde, Denmark.
| | - Andrés Ospina-Alvarez
- Mediterranean Institute for Advanced Studies IMEDEA (UIB-CSIC), C/ Miquel Marquès, 21, 07190, Esporles, Balearic Islands, Spain
| | - Janus Larsen
- Department of Ecoscience, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Flemming Thorbjørn Hansen
- Section for Coastal Ecology, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet, Building 201, 2800 kgs, Lyngby, Denmark
| | | | - Marie Maar
- Department of Ecoscience, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000, Roskilde, Denmark
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Castejón‐Silvo I, Terrados J, Nguyen T, Jutfelt F, Infantes E. Increased energy expenditure is an indirect effect of habitat structural complexity loss. Funct Ecol 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.13876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Inés Castejón‐Silvo
- Mediterranean Institute for Advanced StudiesIMEDEA (CSIC‐UIB) Esporles Spain
| | - Jorge Terrados
- Mediterranean Institute for Advanced StudiesIMEDEA (CSIC‐UIB) Esporles Spain
| | - Thanh Nguyen
- Department of Marine Sciences Gothenburg University Kristineberg Sweden
| | - Fredrik Jutfelt
- Department of Biology Norwegian University of Science and Technology Trondheim Norway
| | - Eduardo Infantes
- Department of Marine Sciences Gothenburg University Kristineberg Sweden
- Norwegian Institute for Water Research Oslo Norway
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Huang Y, Xiao X, Effiong K, Xu C, Su Z, Hu J, Jiao S, Holmer M. New Insights into the Microplastic Enrichment in the Blue Carbon Ecosystem: Evidence from Seagrass Meadows and Mangrove Forests in Coastal South China Sea. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2021; 55:4804-4812. [PMID: 33703883 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c07289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics were recently found to aggregate in the blue carbon ecosystems (BCEs), which are known for their ability to store carbon by slowing down the water flow. However, evidence is largely lacking on how the accumulation of microplastics is related to carbon sequestration in BCEs and if this trap effect is driven by its biological characteristics. In this study, the trap effect of microplastics by BCEs was evaluated for various seagrasses (Zostera japonica, Halophila ovalis, and Halophila beccarii) and mangroves (Aegiceras corniculatum and Avicennia marina). Significant accumulation was found in the seagrass meadow dominated by H. beccarii and the mangrove forest dominated by A. marina, with microplastics enriched by 1.3 to 17.6 times compared to their corresponding unvegetated sites. The abundance of microplastics varied greatly from 17.68 ± 8.10 to 611.75 ± 81.52 particles per kg of dry sediment, with the highest abundance in A. marina mangrove sediments. A strong positive correlation was found between the abundance of microplastics and the particulate organic carbon content at all study sites (Pearson, R = 0.86, p < 0.01). Higher diversity of microplastic colors and size was found in the H. beccarii meadow, and higher diversity of shapes was found in the A. marina forest. Our results added new insights to the understanding of the mechanism of microplastic trapping by BCEs and coupled the behavior of microplastics with the organic carbon in the sediment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuzhou Huang
- Ocean College, Zhejiang University, 1 Zheda Road, Zhoushan, Zhejiang 316021, China
| | - Xi Xiao
- Ocean College, Zhejiang University, 1 Zheda Road, Zhoushan, Zhejiang 316021, China
- Department of Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, Odense M DK-5230, Denmark
| | - Kokoette Effiong
- Ocean College, Zhejiang University, 1 Zheda Road, Zhoushan, Zhejiang 316021, China
| | - Caicai Xu
- Ocean College, Zhejiang University, 1 Zheda Road, Zhoushan, Zhejiang 316021, China
| | - Zhinan Su
- Guangxi Key Lab of Mangrove Conservation and Utilization, Guangxi Mangrove Research Center, Guangxi Academy of Sciences, Beihai, Guangxi 536000, China
| | - Jing Hu
- Ocean College, Zhejiang University, 1 Zheda Road, Zhoushan, Zhejiang 316021, China
| | - Shaojun Jiao
- Nanjing Institute of Environmental Science, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Nanjing 210042, China
| | - Marianne Holmer
- Ocean College, Zhejiang University, 1 Zheda Road, Zhoushan, Zhejiang 316021, China
- Department of Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, Odense M DK-5230, Denmark
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de Los Santos CB, Krång AS, Infantes E. Microplastic retention by marine vegetated canopies: Simulations with seagrass meadows in a hydraulic flume. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2021; 269:116050. [PMID: 33272801 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.116050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2020] [Revised: 11/01/2020] [Accepted: 11/06/2020] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Marine canopies formed by seagrass and other coastal vegetated ecosystems could act as sinks of microplastics for being efficient particle traps. Here we investigated for the first time the occurrence of microplastic retention by marine canopies in a hydraulic flume under unidirectional flow velocities from 2 to 30 cm s-1. We used as model canopy-forming species the seagrass Zostera marina with four canopy shoot density (0, 50, 100, 200 shoots m-2), and we used as microplastic particles industrial pristine pellets with specific densities from 0.90 to 1.34 g cm-3 (polypropylene PP; polystyrene PS; polyamide 6 PA; and polyethylene terephthalate PET). Overall, microplastics particles transported with the flow were retained in the seagrass canopies but not in bare sand. While seagrass canopies retained floating microplastics (PP) only at low velocities (<12 cm s-1) due to a barrier created by the canopy touching the water surface, the retention of sinking particles (PS, PA, PET) occurred across a wider range of flow velocities. Our simulations revealed that less dense sinking particles (PS) might escape from the canopy at high velocities, while denser sinking particles can be trapped in scouring areas created by erosive processes around the eelgrass shoots. Our results show that marine canopies might act as potential barriers or sinks for microplastics at certain bio-physical conditions, with the probability of retention generally increasing with the seagrass shoot density and polymer specific density and decreasing with the flow velocity. We conclude that seagrass meadows, and other aquatic canopy-forming ecosystems, should be prioritized habitats in assessment of microplastic exposure and impact on coastal areas since they may accumulate high concentration of microplastic particles that could affect associated fauna.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen B de Los Santos
- Centre of Marine Sciences (CCMAR), University of Algarve, Gambelas, Faro, 8005-139, Portugal.
| | - Anna-Sara Krång
- IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute, Kristineberg 566, Fiskebäckskil, SE, 45178, Sweden
| | - Eduardo Infantes
- University of Gothenburg, Department of Marine Sciences, Kristineberg 566, Fiskebäckskil, SE, 45178, Sweden; Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA), Gaustadalléen 21, Oslo, 0349, Norway
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