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Bhattacharjee S, Rathore C, Naik A, Saha M, Tudu P, Dastidar PG, Bhattacharyya S, de Boer J, Chaudhuri P. Do microplastics accumulate in penguin internal organs? Evidence from Svenner island, Antarctica. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 951:175361. [PMID: 39117209 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.175361] [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: 04/12/2024] [Revised: 08/02/2024] [Accepted: 08/05/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024]
Abstract
The prevalence of microplastics (MPs, <5 mm) in natural environments presents a formidable global environmental threat MPs can be found from the Arctic to Antarctica, including glaciers. Despite their widespread distribution, studies on MP accumulation in apex predators inhabiting Polar Regions remain limited. The objective of this study was to conduct a comprehensive examination, for the first time, of MP bioaccumulation in various organs and tissue of Adélie penguins. This investigation comprehends the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), scat, internal organ (lung, trachea, spleen, and liver) and tissue (muscle) samples collected from Svenner Island, Antarctica during the 39th Indian expedition to Antarctica in 2019-2020. Our analyses revealed the presence of 34 MPs across the GIT, scat, lung, and trachea samples, with no MPs detected in muscle, spleen, or liver tissues. Blue-colored microfibers (>50 %) and MPs smaller than 1 mm (38 %) in size were prominently observed. Polymer characterization utilizing μ-FTIR spectroscopy identified low-density polyethylene (LDPE) (~63 %) as the predominant polymer type. The accumulation of MP fibers in the gastrointestinal tract and scat of Adélie penguins may originate from marine ambient media and prey organisms. Furthermore, the presence of LDPE fibers in the trachea and lungs likely occurred through inhalation and subsequent deposition of MPs originating from both local and long-range airborne sources. The identification of fibers ranging between 20 and 100 μm within the trachea suggests a plausible chance of cellular deposition of MPs. Overall our findings provide valuable insights into the organ-specific accumulation of MPs in apex predators. Adélie penguins emerge as promising environmental bio-monitoring species, offering insights into the potential trophic transfer of MPs within frigid environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shrayan Bhattacharjee
- Department of Environment Science, University of Calcutta, 35, Ballygunge circular road, Kolkata 700019, India
| | - Chayanika Rathore
- CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography, Dona Paula, Goa 403 004, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Akshata Naik
- CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography, Dona Paula, Goa 403 004, India
| | - Mahua Saha
- CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography, Dona Paula, Goa 403 004, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India.
| | - Praveen Tudu
- Department of Environment Science, University of Calcutta, 35, Ballygunge circular road, Kolkata 700019, India
| | - Prabir Ghosh Dastidar
- SGT University, Budhera, Gurugram, Delhi NCR, India; Polar Science Division, Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), Government of India, New Delhi, India.
| | | | - Jacob de Boer
- Vrije University, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Punarbasu Chaudhuri
- Department of Environment Science, University of Calcutta, 35, Ballygunge circular road, Kolkata 700019, India
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Gimeno M, Rossell L, Julià L, Giménez J, Sanpera C, Coll M, Bustamante P, Ramírez F. Assessing mercury contamination in Southern Hemisphere marine ecosystems: The role of penguins as effective bioindicators. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 343:123159. [PMID: 38104761 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.123159] [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: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) is a global pollutant known for its significant bioaccumulation and biomagnification capabilities, posing a particular threat to marine environments. Seabirds have been recognized as effective bioindicators of marine pollution, and, among them, penguins present a unique opportunity to serve as a single taxonomic group (Sphenisciformes) for monitoring Hg across distinct marine ecosystems in the Southern Hemisphere. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive systematic review of Hg concentrations, and performed a meta-analysis that took into account the various sources of uncertainty associated with Hg contamination in penguins. Beyond intrinsic species-specific factors shaping Hg levels, our results showed that the penguin community effectively reflects spatial patterns of Hg bioavailability. We identified geographic Hg hotspots in Australia, the Indian Ocean, and Tierra del Fuego, as well as coldspots in Perú and the South Atlantic. Furthermore, specific penguin species, namely the Southern Rockhopper (Eudyptes chrysocome) and Macaroni penguin (Eudyptes chrysolophus), are highlighted as particularly vulnerable to the toxic effects of Hg. Additionally, we identified knowledge gaps in geographic areas such as the Galápagos Islands, South Africa, and the coast of Chile, as well as in species including Fiordland (Eudyptes pachyrhynchus), Snares (Eudyptes robustus), Erect-crested (Eudyptes sclateri), Royal (Eudyptes schlegeli), Yellow-eyed (Megadyptes antipodes), and Galápagos (Spheniscus mendiculus) penguins. Overall, our study contributes to the growing body of literature emphasizing the role of penguins as bioindicators of Hg pollution, but it also highlights areas where further research and data collection are needed for a more comprehensive understanding of Hg contamination in marine ecosystems in the Southern Hemisphere.
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Affiliation(s)
- Míriam Gimeno
- Institute of Marine Sciences (ICM-CSIC), Passeig Marítim de la Barceloneta, 37-49, 08003, Barcelona, Spain; Departament de Biologia Evolutiva, Ecologia i Ciències Ambientals, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Av/Diagonal 645, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Laia Rossell
- Institute of Marine Sciences (ICM-CSIC), Passeig Marítim de la Barceloneta, 37-49, 08003, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Laura Julià
- Institute of Marine Sciences (ICM-CSIC), Passeig Marítim de la Barceloneta, 37-49, 08003, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Joan Giménez
- Institute of Marine Sciences (ICM-CSIC), Passeig Marítim de la Barceloneta, 37-49, 08003, Barcelona, Spain; Instituto Español de Oceanografía (IEO-CSIC), Centro Oceanografico de Málaga (COMA), Fuengirola, Spain
| | - Carolina Sanpera
- Departament de Biologia Evolutiva, Ecologia i Ciències Ambientals, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Av/Diagonal 645, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marta Coll
- Institute of Marine Sciences (ICM-CSIC), Passeig Marítim de la Barceloneta, 37-49, 08003, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Paco Bustamante
- Littoral, Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS, La Rochelle Université, 2 Rue Olympe de Gouges, 17000, La Rochelle, France; Institut Universitaire de France (IUF), 1 Rue Descartes, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Francisco Ramírez
- Institute of Marine Sciences (ICM-CSIC), Passeig Marítim de la Barceloneta, 37-49, 08003, Barcelona, Spain
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Zamree ND, Puasa NA, Lim ZS, Wong CY, Shaharuddin NA, Zakaria NN, Merican F, Convey P, Ahmad S, Shaari H, Azmi AA, Ahmad SA, Zulkharnain A. The Utilisation of Antarctic Microalgae Isolated from Paradise Bay (Antarctic Peninsula) in the Bioremediation of Diesel. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:2536. [PMID: 37447097 DOI: 10.3390/plants12132536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
Research has confirmed that the utilisation of Antarctic microorganisms, such as bacteria, yeasts and fungi, in the bioremediation of diesel may provide practical alternative approaches. However, to date there has been very little attention towards Antarctic microalgae as potential hydrocarbon degraders. Therefore, this study focused on the utilisation of an Antarctic microalga in the bioremediation of diesel. The studied microalgal strain was originally obtained from a freshwater ecosystem in Paradise Bay, western Antarctic Peninsula. When analysed in systems with and without aeration, this microalgal strain achieved a higher growth rate under aeration. To maintain the growth of this microalga optimally, a conventional one-factor-at a-time (OFAT) analysis was also conducted. Based on the optimized parameters, algal growth and diesel degradation performance was highest at pH 7.5 with 0.5 mg/L NaCl concentration and 0.5 g/L of NaNO3 as a nitrogen source. This currently unidentified microalga flourished in the presence of diesel, with maximum algal cell numbers on day 7 of incubation in the presence of 1% v/v diesel. Chlorophyll a, b and carotenoid contents of the culture were greatest on day 9 of incubation. The diesel degradation achieved was 64.5% of the original concentration after 9 days. Gas chromatography analysis showed the complete mineralisation of C7-C13 hydrocarbon chains. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis confirmed that strain WCY_AQ5_3 fully degraded the hydrocarbon with bioabsorption of the products. Morphological and molecular analyses suggested that this spherical, single-celled green microalga was a member of the genus Micractinium. The data obtained confirm that this microalga is a suitable candidate for further research into the degradation of diesel in Antarctica.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nur Diyanah Zamree
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Nurul Aini Puasa
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Zheng Syuen Lim
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Chiew-Yen Wong
- School of Health Sciences, International Medical University, Bukit Jalil 57000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Noor Azmi Shaharuddin
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Nur Nadhirah Zakaria
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Faradina Merican
- School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Minden 11800, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
| | - Peter Convey
- British Antarctic Survey, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0ET, UK
- Department of Zoology, University of Johannesburg, P.O. Box 524, Auckland Park 2006, South Africa
- Millennium Institute Biodiversity of Antarctic and Subantarctic Ecosystems (BASE), Las Palmeras 3425, Ñuñoa 7750000, Santiago, Chile
| | - Syahida Ahmad
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Hasrizal Shaari
- School of Marine and Environmental Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, Kuala Nerus 21030, Terengganu, Malaysia
| | - Alyza Azzura Azmi
- Faculty of Science and Marine Environment, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, Kuala Nerus 21030, Terengganu, Malaysia
| | - Siti Aqlima Ahmad
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia
- Laboratory of Bioresource Management, Institute of Tropical Forestry and Forest Products (INTROP), University Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia
- Material Synthesis and Characterization Laboratory, Institute of Advanced Technology, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Azham Zulkharnain
- Department of Bioscience and Engineering, College of Systems Engineering and Science, Shibaura Institute of Technology, 307 Fukasaku, Minumaku, Saitama 337-8570, Japan
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Cheng Z, Shi C, Gao X, Wang X, Kan G. Biochemical and Metabolomic Responses of Antarctic Bacterium Planococcus sp. O5 Induced by Copper Ion. TOXICS 2022; 10:toxics10060302. [PMID: 35736910 PMCID: PMC9230899 DOI: 10.3390/toxics10060302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Revised: 05/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Heavy metal pollution in the Antarctic has gone beyond our imagination. Copper toxicity is a selective pressure on Planococcus sp. O5. We observed relatively broad tolerance in the polar bacterium. The heavy metal resistance pattern is Pb2+ > Cu2+ > Cd2+ > Hg2+ > Zn2+. In the study, we combined biochemical and metabolomics approaches to investigate the Cu2+ adaptation mechanisms of the Antarctic bacterium. Biochemical analysis revealed that copper treatment elevated the activity of antioxidants and enzymes, maintaining the bacterial redox state balance and normal cell division and growth. Metabolomics analysis demonstrated that fatty acids, amino acids, and carbohydrates played dominant roles in copper stress adaptation. The findings suggested that the adaptive mechanisms of strain O5 to copper stress included protein synthesis and repair, accumulation of organic permeable substances, up-regulation of energy metabolism, and the formation of fatty acids.
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