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Zhang Y, Ju J, Li M, Ma Z, Lu W, Yang H. Dose-dependent effects of polystyrene nanoplastics on growth, photosynthesis, and astaxanthin synthesis in Haematococcus pluvialis. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 359:124574. [PMID: 39029865 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.124574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2024] [Revised: 07/01/2024] [Accepted: 07/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/21/2024]
Abstract
Microalgae play an important role in aquatic ecosystems, but the widespread presence of micro- and nano-plastics (MNPs) poses significant threats to them. Haematococcus pluvialis is well-known for its ability to produce the antioxidant astaxanthin when it experiences stress from environmental conditions. Here we examined the effects of polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPs) at concentrations of 0.1, 1, and 10 mg/L on H. pluvialis over an 18-day period. Our results show that PS-NPs caused a significant, dose-dependent inhibition of H. pluvialis growth and a reduction in photosynthesis. Furthermore, PS-NPs severely damaged the morphology of H. pluvialis, leading to cell shrinkage, collapse, content release, and aggregation. Additionally, PS-NPs induced a dose-dependent increase in soluble protein content and a decrease in the production of extracellular polymeric substances. These findings indicate that PS-NPs has the potential to adversely affect both the physiology and morphology of H. pluvialis. An increase in reactive oxygen species and antioxidant enzyme activities was also observed, suggesting an oxidative stress response to PS-NPs exposure. Notably, the synthesis of astaxanthin, which is crucial for H. pluvialis's survival under stress, was significantly inhibited in a dose-dependent manner under strong light conditions, along with the down-regulation of genes involved in the astaxanthin biosynthesis pathway. This suggests that PS-NPs exposure reduces H. pluvialis's ability to survive under adverse conditions. This study enhances our understanding of the toxic effects of PS-NPs on microalgae and underscores the urgent need for measures to mitigate MNP pollution to protect aquatic ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingying Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China.
| | - Jian Ju
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China
| | - Min Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China
| | - Zhuyi Ma
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China
| | - Wenyan Lu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China
| | - Hui Yang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China
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2
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Li X, Chu Z, Feng C, Song P, Yang T, Zhou L, Zhao X, Chai X, Xing J, Chen S, Zhang J, Wang J, Liu G, Tang H. Unveiling the molecular mechanisms of size-dependent effect of polystyrene micro/nano-plastics on Chlamydomonas reinhardtii through proteomic profiling. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 358:142220. [PMID: 38710410 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.142220] [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: 02/02/2024] [Revised: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
Microplastics have become a prevalent environmental pollutant due to widespread release and production. Algae, as primary producers, play a crucial role in maintaining the ecological balance of freshwater environments. Despite reports on the inhibition of microalgae by microplastics, the size-dependent effects on microalgae and associated molecular mechanism remain poorly understood. This study investigates the impacts of three polystyrene micro/nano-plastics (PS-MNPs) with different sizes (100 nm, 350 nm, and 6 μm) and concentrations (25-200 mg/L) on Chlamydomonas reinhardtii (C. reinhardtii) throughout its growth period. Results reveal size- and concentration-dependent growth inhibition and induction of oxidative stress by PS-MNPs, with microalgae exhibiting increased vulnerability to smaller-sized and higher-concentration PS-MNPs. Proteomics analysis elucidates the size-dependent suppression of proteins involved in the photosynthesis process by PS-MNPs. Photosynthetic activity assays demonstrate that smaller PS-MNPs more significantly reduce chlorophyll content and the maximal photochemical efficiency of photosystem II. Finally, electron microscope and Western blot assays collectively confirm the size effect of PS-MNPs on microalgae growth is attributable to suppressed protein expression rather than shading effects. This study contributes to advancing our understanding of the intricate interactions between micro/nano-plastics and algae at the molecular level, emphasizing the efficacy of proteomics in dissecting the mechanistic aspects of microplastics-induced biological effects on environmental indicator organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxue Li
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China; State Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, Artemisinin Research Center, and Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China; Institute of Agricultural Products Preservation and Processing Technology, National Engineering Technology Research Center for Preservation of Agriculture Product, Tianjin Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Tianjin, 300384, China
| | - Zheng Chu
- State Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, Artemisinin Research Center, and Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Chenran Feng
- State Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, Artemisinin Research Center, and Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Ping Song
- Xiyuan Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100091, China
| | - Tong Yang
- State Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, Artemisinin Research Center, and Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Lirun Zhou
- State Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, Artemisinin Research Center, and Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Xin Zhao
- State Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, Artemisinin Research Center, and Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Xin Chai
- State Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, Artemisinin Research Center, and Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Jiale Xing
- State Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, Artemisinin Research Center, and Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Sa Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, Artemisinin Research Center, and Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Junzhe Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, Artemisinin Research Center, and Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Jigang Wang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China; State Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, Artemisinin Research Center, and Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China; Department of Cardiology, Shenzhen Cardiovascular Minimally Invasive Medical Engineering Technology Research and Development Center, and Shenzhen Clinical Research Centre for Geriatrics, Shenzhen People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518020, Guangdong, China; Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine and School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510515, China; State Key Laboratory of Antiviral Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004, China.
| | - Gang Liu
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China.
| | - Huan Tang
- State Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, Artemisinin Research Center, and Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China.
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Meng F, Tan L, Cai P, Wang J. Effects of polystyrene nanoplastics on growth and hemolysin production of microalgae Karlodinium veneficum. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2024; 266:106810. [PMID: 38134819 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2023.106810] [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: 07/16/2023] [Revised: 12/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
There are few studies on the effects of nanoplastics on growth and hemolysin production of harmful algal bloom species at present. In this study, Karlodinium veneficum was exposed to different concentrations (0, 5, 25, 50, 75 mg/L) of polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPs, 100 nm) for 96 h. The effects of PS-NPs on growth of K. veneficum were investigated by measuring algal cell abundance, growth inhibition rate (IR), total protein (TP), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione reductase (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), ATPase activity (Na+/K+ ATPase and Ca2+/Mg2+ ATPase). Scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope (SEM and TEM) images of microalgae with or without nanoplastics were also observed. The effects of PS-NPs on hemolysin production of K. veneficum were studied by measuring the changes of hemolytic toxin production of K. veneficum exposed to PS-NPs on 1, 3, 5 and 7 days. High concentrations (50 and 75 mg/L) of PS-NPs seriously affected the growth of K. veneficum and different degrees of damage to cell morphology and ultrastructure were found. Excessive free radicals and other oxidants were produced in the cells, which disrupted the intracellular redox balance state and caused oxidative damage to the cells, and the basic activities such as photosynthesis and energy metabolism were weakened. The athletic ability of K. veneficum was decreased, but the ability to produce hemolysin was enhanced. It was suggested that the presence of nanoplastics in seawater may strengthen the threat of harmful algal bloom species to aquatic ecosystems and human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fanmeng Meng
- Key Laboratory of Marine Chemistry Theory and Technology of the Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, No.238, Songling Road, Qingdao 266100, China
| | - Liju Tan
- Key Laboratory of Marine Chemistry Theory and Technology of the Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, No.238, Songling Road, Qingdao 266100, China
| | - Peining Cai
- Key Laboratory of Marine Chemistry Theory and Technology of the Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, No.238, Songling Road, Qingdao 266100, China
| | - Jiangtao Wang
- Key Laboratory of Marine Chemistry Theory and Technology of the Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, No.238, Songling Road, Qingdao 266100, China.
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4
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Zhu X, Zhao J. Editorial for the Special Issue "Nanomaterials Ecotoxicity Evaluation". NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 13:2878. [PMID: 37947723 PMCID: PMC10649980 DOI: 10.3390/nano13212878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Nanotechnology has made enormous progress over the last few decades, and the current use of nanomaterials is rapidly increasing [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoshan Zhu
- College of Ecology and Environment, Hainan University, Haikou 570208, China
| | - Jian Zhao
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China;
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Roussel A, Mériot V, Jauffrais T, Berteaux-Lecellier V, Lebouvier N. OMICS Approaches to Assess Dinoflagellate Responses to Chemical Stressors. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:1234. [PMID: 37759633 PMCID: PMC10525455 DOI: 10.3390/biology12091234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
Dinoflagellates are important primary producers known to form Harmful Algae Blooms (HABs). In water, nutrient availability, pH, salinity and anthropogenic contamination constitute chemical stressors for them. The emergence of OMICs approaches propelled our understanding of dinoflagellates' responses to stressors. However, in dinoflagellates, these approaches are still biased, as transcriptomic approaches are largely conducted compared to proteomic and metabolomic approaches. Furthermore, integrated OMICs approaches are just emerging. Here, we report recent contributions of the different OMICs approaches to the investigation of dinoflagellates' responses to chemical stressors and discuss the current challenges we need to face to push studies further despite the lack of genomic resources available for dinoflagellates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Roussel
- ISEA, EA7484, Campus de Nouville, Université de la Nouvelle Calédonie, Noumea 98851, New Caledonia; (A.R.); (V.M.)
| | - Vincent Mériot
- ISEA, EA7484, Campus de Nouville, Université de la Nouvelle Calédonie, Noumea 98851, New Caledonia; (A.R.); (V.M.)
- Ifremer, IRD, CNRS, Univ. de la Réunion, Univ. de la Nouvelle Calédonie, UMR 9220 ENTROPIE, 101 Promenade Roger Laroque, Noumea 98897, New Caledonia;
| | - Thierry Jauffrais
- Ifremer, IRD, CNRS, Univ. de la Réunion, Univ. de la Nouvelle Calédonie, UMR 9220 ENTROPIE, 101 Promenade Roger Laroque, Noumea 98897, New Caledonia;
| | - Véronique Berteaux-Lecellier
- CNRS, Ifremer, IRD, Univ. de la Réunion, Univ. de la Nouvelle Calédonie, UMR 9220 ENTROPIE, 101 Promenade Roger Laroque, Noumea 98897, New Caledonia;
| | - Nicolas Lebouvier
- ISEA, EA7484, Campus de Nouville, Université de la Nouvelle Calédonie, Noumea 98851, New Caledonia; (A.R.); (V.M.)
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Annenkov VV, Pal'shin VA, Annenkova NV, Zelinskiy SN, Danilovtseva EN. Uptake and Effects of Nanoplastics on the Dinoflagellate Gymnodinium corollarium. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2023; 42:1124-1133. [PMID: 36920033 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5604] [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: 12/04/2022] [Revised: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Plastic nanoparticles (NPs) are the final state of plastic degradation in the environment before they disintegrate into low-molecular-weight organic compounds. Unicellular organisms are highly sensitive to the toxic effects of nanoplastics, because they are often capable of phagotrophy but are unable to consume a foreign material such as synthetic plastic. We studied the effect of polystyrene, poly(vinyl chloride), poly(methyl acrylate), and poly(methyl methacrylate) NPs on the photosynthetic dinoflagellate Gymnodinium corollarium Sundström, Kremp et Daugbjerg. Fluorescent tagged particles were used to visualize plastic capture by dinoflagellate cells. We found that these dinoflagellates are capable of phagotrophic nutrition and thus should be regarded as mixotrophic species. This causes their susceptibility to the toxic effects of plastic NPs. Living cells ingest plastic NPs and accumulate in the cytoplasm as micrometer-level aggregates, probably in food vacuoles. The action of nanoplastics leads to a dose-dependent increase in the level of reactive oxygen species in dinoflagellate cells, indicating plastic degradation in the cells. The introduction of a methyl group into the main chain in the α-position in the case of poly(methyl methacrylate) causes a drastic reduction in toxicity. We expect that such NPs can be a tool for testing unicellular organisms in terms of heterotrophic feeding ability. We suggest a dual role of dinoflagellates in the ecological fate of plastic waste: the involvement of nanoplastics in the food chain and its biochemical destruction. Environ Toxicol Chem 2023;42:1124-1133. © 2023 SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vadim V Annenkov
- Limnological Institute, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Irkutsk, Russia
| | - Viktor A Pal'shin
- Limnological Institute, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Irkutsk, Russia
| | - Nataliia V Annenkova
- Limnological Institute, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Irkutsk, Russia
| | - Stanislav N Zelinskiy
- Limnological Institute, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Irkutsk, Russia
| | - Elena N Danilovtseva
- Limnological Institute, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Irkutsk, Russia
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Li X, Qiu H, Zhang P, Song L, Romero-Freire A, He E. Role of heteroaggregation and internalization in the toxicity of differently sized and charged plastic nanoparticles to freshwater microalgae. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 316:120517. [PMID: 36309302 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120517] [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: 07/23/2022] [Revised: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The toxic effect of waterborne nanoplastics is a manifestation of bio-nano interfacial interactions. Although nanoplastics with different physicochemical characteristics are known to exhibit distinct toxicities, it remains poorly understood how the properties of nanoplastics affect the bio-nano interface interactions. Here, polystyrene nanoparticles (PSNPs) varying in size (50, 300, and 500 nm) and surface charge (negative and positive charge) were employed to explore the interplay between PSNPs and algal cells (Chlamydomonas reinhardtii), with special focus on the heteroaggregation of PSNPs and microalgae, PSNPs cellular internalization, and cellular physiological responses. Results showed that large-sized PSNPs (300 and 500 nm) caused apparent toxicity to C. reinhardtii, mainly due to light blockage resulting from the PSNPs-microalgae heteroaggregation and the shading effect of PSNPs, which was independent of PSNPs concentrations. However, the toxicity of small-sized PSNPs (50 nm) was controlled by both particle surface charge and particle concentration. The positively charged PS-NH2 was more readily heteroaggregated with microalgae than the negatively charged PS-COOH, leading to photosynthesis damage-induced toxicity. Increasing the concentration of small-sized PSNPs stimulated the secretion of extracellular polymeric substances, allowing more PSNPs to attach on the cell surface and further to enter the cell, which was responsible for the increased toxicity. These findings provide new insights into how nanoplastics induce contact toxicity in microalgae cells through specific biointerfacial interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing Li
- School of Geographic Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China; School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Hao Qiu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Peihua Zhang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Lan Song
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Ana Romero-Freire
- Department of Soil Science, University of Granada, Granada, 18002, Spain
| | - Erkai He
- School of Geographic Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China.
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Nanoplastic-Induced Nanostructural, Nanomechanical, and Antioxidant Response of Marine Diatom Cylindrotheca closterium. WATER 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/w14142163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to examine the effect of positively charged (amine-modified) and negatively charged (carboxyl-modified) polystyrene nanoplastics (PS NPs) on the nanostructural, nanomechanical, and antioxidant responses of the marine diatom Cylindrotheca closterium. The results showed that both types of PS NPs, regardless of surface charge, significantly inhibited the growth of C. closterium during short-term exposure (3 and 4 days). However, longer exposure (14 days) to both PS NPs types did not significantly inhibit growth, which might be related to the detoxifying effect of the microalgal extracellular polymers (EPS) and the higher cell abundance per PS NPs concentration. The exposure of C. closterium to both types of PS NPs at concentrations above the corresponding concentrations that resulted in a 50% reduction of growth (EC50) demonstrated phytotoxic effects, mainly due to the excessive production of reactive oxygen species, resulting in increased oxidative damage to lipids and changes to antioxidant enzyme activities. Diatoms exposed to nanoplastics also showed a significant decrease in cell wall rigidity, which could make the cells more vulnerable. Atomic force microscopy images showed that positively charged PS NPs were mainly adsorbed on the cell surface, while both types of PS NPs were incorporated into the EPS that serves to protect the cells. Since microalgal EPS are an important food source for phytoplankton grazers and higher trophic levels, the incorporation of NPs into the EPS and interactions with the cell walls themselves may pose a major threat to marine microalgae and higher trophic levels and, consequently, to the health and stability of the marine ecosystem.
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