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Zardi GI, Nicastro KR, Truong SL, Decorse P, Nozak S, Chevillot-Biraud A, Froneman PW, Akoueson F, Duflos G, Seuront L. Microplastic leachates inhibit small-scale self-organization in mussel beds. Sci Total Environ 2024; 914:169816. [PMID: 38181965 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2024]
Abstract
Self-organized spatial patterns are increasingly recognized for their contribution to ecosystem functioning. They can improve the ecosystem's ability to respond to perturbation and thus increase its resilience to environmental stress. Plastic pollution has now emerged as major threat to aquatic and terrestrial biota. Under laboratory conditions, we tested whether plastic leachates from pellets collected in the intertidal can impair small-scale, spatial self-organization and byssal threads production of intertidal mussels and whether the effect varied depending on where the pellets come from. Specifically, leachates originating from plastic pellets collected from relatively pristine and polluted areas respectively impaired and inhibited the ability of mussels to self-organize at small-scale and to produce byssal threads compared to control conditions (i.e., seawater without leaching solution). Limitations to natural self-organizing processes and threads formation may translate to a declined capacity of natural ecosystems to avoid tipping points and to a reduced restoration success of disturbed ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerardo I Zardi
- Normandie Université, UNICAEN, Laboratoire Biologie des Organismes et Ecosystèmes Aquatiques, UMR 8067 BOREA (CNRS, MNHN, UPMC, UCBN, IRD-207), 14000 Caen, France; Department of Zoology and Entomology, Rhodes University, Grahamstown 6140, South Africa; CCMAR-CIMAR Laboratório Associado, Universidade do Algarve, Campus Gambelas, Faro 8005-139, Portugal
| | - Katy R Nicastro
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, Rhodes University, Grahamstown 6140, South Africa; CCMAR-CIMAR Laboratório Associado, Universidade do Algarve, Campus Gambelas, Faro 8005-139, Portugal; Univ. Lille, CNRS, Univ. Littoral Côte d'Opale, IRD, UMR 8187 LOG, F-59000 Lille, France.
| | - Stéphanie Lau Truong
- Laboratoire ITODYS CNRS UMR7086, Université Paris Diderot, Bâtiment Lavoisier, 75205, France
| | - Philippe Decorse
- Laboratoire ITODYS CNRS UMR7086, Université Paris Diderot, Bâtiment Lavoisier, 75205, France
| | - Sophie Nozak
- Laboratoire ITODYS CNRS UMR7086, Université Paris Diderot, Bâtiment Lavoisier, 75205, France
| | | | | | - Fleurine Akoueson
- Univ. Littoral Côte d'Opale, UMR 1158 BioEcoAgro, EA 7394, Institut Charles Viollette, USC ANSES, INRAe, Univ. Lille, Univ. Artois, Univ. Picardie Jules Verne, Uni. Liège, F-62200 Boulogne-sur-Mer, France; ANSES - Laboratoire de Sécurité des Aliments, Boulevard du Bassin Napoléon, F-62200 Boulogne-sur-Mer, France
| | - Guillaume Duflos
- ANSES - Laboratoire de Sécurité des Aliments, Boulevard du Bassin Napoléon, F-62200 Boulogne-sur-Mer, France
| | - Laurent Seuront
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, Rhodes University, Grahamstown 6140, South Africa; Univ. Lille, CNRS, Univ. Littoral Côte d'Opale, IRD, UMR 8187 LOG, F-59000 Lille, France; Department of Marine Resources and Energy, Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology, Tokyo, Japan
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Cozzolino L, Nicastro KR, Lefebvre S, Corona L, Froneman PW, McQuaid C, Zardi GI. The effect of interspecific and intraspecific diversity on microplastic ingestion in two co-occurring mussel species in South Africa. Mar Pollut Bull 2023; 196:115649. [PMID: 37864858 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/23/2023]
Abstract
Interspecific and intraspecific diversity are essential components of biodiversity with far-reaching implications for ecosystem function and service provision. Importantly, genotypic and phenotypic variation within a species can affect responses to anthropogenic pressures more than interspecific diversity. We investigated the effects of interspecific and intraspecific diversity on microplastic ingestion by two coexisting mussel species in South Africa, Mytilus galloprovincialis and Perna perna, the latter occurring as two genetic lineages. We found significantly higher microplastic abundance in M. galloprovincialis (0.54 ± 0.56 MP items g-1WW) than P. perna (0.16 ± 0.21 MP items g-1WW), but no difference between P. perna lineages. Microbeads were the predominant microplastic (76 % in P. perna, 99 % in M. galloprovincialis) and polyethylene the prevalent polymer. Interspecific differences in microplastic abundance varied across locations, suggesting diverse sources of contamination. We suggest that microplastic ingestion can be species-specific even in organisms that coexist and play similar functional roles within ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Cozzolino
- CCMAR-Centro de Ciências do Mar, CIMAR Laboratório Associado, Universidade do Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, Faro 8005-139, Portugal.
| | - Katy R Nicastro
- CCMAR-Centro de Ciências do Mar, CIMAR Laboratório Associado, Universidade do Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, Faro 8005-139, Portugal; Department of Zoology and Entomology, Rhodes University, Grahamstown 6140, South Africa; Univ. Lille, CNRS, Univ. Littoral Côte d'Opale, IRD, UMR 8187 - LOG - Laboratoire d'Océanologie et de Géosciences, station marine de Wimereux, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Sebastien Lefebvre
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, Univ. Littoral Côte d'Opale, IRD, UMR 8187 - LOG - Laboratoire d'Océanologie et de Géosciences, station marine de Wimereux, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Luana Corona
- CCMAR-Centro de Ciências do Mar, CIMAR Laboratório Associado, Universidade do Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, Faro 8005-139, Portugal
| | | | - Christopher McQuaid
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, Rhodes University, Grahamstown 6140, South Africa
| | - Gerardo I Zardi
- CCMAR-Centro de Ciências do Mar, CIMAR Laboratório Associado, Universidade do Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, Faro 8005-139, Portugal; Normandie Université, UNICAEN, Laboratoire Biologie des Organismes et Ecosystèmes Aquatiques, UMR 8067 BOREA (CNRS, MNHN, UPMC, UCBN, IRD-207), CS 14032, 14000 Caen, France; Department of Zoology and Entomology, Rhodes University, Grahamstown 6140, South Africa
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Caputo M, Bouveroux T, van der Bank M, Cliff G, Kiszka JJ, Froneman PW, Plön S. Inter- and intra-specific trophic interactions of coastal delphinids off the eastern coast of South Africa inferred from stable isotope analysis. Mar Environ Res 2022; 182:105784. [PMID: 36306553 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2022.105784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Revised: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Dietary tracers, such as bulk stable carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotopes, can be used to investigate the trophic interactions of marine predators, which is useful to assess their ecological roles within communities. These tracers have also been used to elucidate population structure and substructure, which is critical for the better identification of management units for these species affected by a range of threats, particularly bycatch in fishing gears. Off eastern South Africa, large populations of Indo-Pacific bottlenose (Tursiops aduncus) and common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) co-occur and are thought to follow the pulses of shoaling sardines (Sardinops sagax) heading north-east in the austral winter. Here we used δ13C and δ15N to investigate the trophic interactions and define ecological units of these two species along a ≈800 km stretch of the east coast of South Africa, from Algoa Bay to the coast of KwaZulu-Natal. Common and bottlenose dolphin dietary niche overlapped by 39.7% overall in our study area, with the highest overlap occurring off the Wild Coast (40.7% at Hluleka). Both stable isotopes were significantly enriched in bottlenose dolphins sampled in the western part of our study area (i.e., Algoa Bay and Amathole) compared to eastern animals (i.e., from Hluleka, Pondoland, and KZN). In areas where genetic information is not available or is insufficient, food web tracers (such as stable isotopes) can be used to group individuals based on trophic ecology, which can provide ecological units for management of populations. The distinct isotope signatures found here for bottlenose dolphins can, therefore, be used as management units for conservation efforts in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Caputo
- SARChI Chair in Marine Ecology, Department of Zoology and Entomology, Rhodes University, P.O. Box 94, Grahamstown, 6140, South Africa; Institute of Environment, Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, 3000 NE 151 St, North Miami, FL, 33181, USA.
| | - Thibaut Bouveroux
- Dauphin Island Sea Lab, 101 Bienville Blvd., Dauphin Island, 36528, USA
| | - Megan van der Bank
- Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency, East London, P.O. Box 11235, Southernwood, East London, 5213, South Africa; South African National Biodiversity Institute, Private Bag X7, Claremont, Cape Town, 7735, South Africa
| | - Geremy Cliff
- KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board, Umhlanga Rocks, 4320 and School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Jeremy J Kiszka
- Institute of Environment, Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, 3000 NE 151 St, North Miami, FL, 33181, USA
| | - Pierre William Froneman
- SARChI Chair in Marine Ecology, Department of Zoology and Entomology, Rhodes University, P.O. Box 94, Grahamstown, 6140, South Africa
| | - Stephanie Plön
- Department of Pathology, Stellenbosch University, South Africa; Bayworld Centre for Research and Education (BCRE), Gqeberha, South Africa
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Nel HA, Hean JW, Noundou XS, Froneman PW. Do microplastic loads reflect the population demographics along the southern African coastline? Mar Pollut Bull 2017; 115:115-119. [PMID: 27939395 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2016.11.056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2016] [Revised: 11/23/2016] [Accepted: 11/24/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Plastic pollution is a major anthropogenic contaminant effecting the marine environment and is often associated with high human population densities and industrial activities. The microplastic (63 to 5000μm) burden of beach sediment and surf-zone water was investigated at selected sites along the entire length of the South African coastline. It was predicted that samples collected in areas of high population density, would contain a higher microplastic burden than those along coasts that demonstrate very low population densities. With the exception of water column microplastics within Richard's Bay Harbour (413.3±77.53particles·m-3) and Durban Harbour (1200±133.2particles·m-3), there were no significant spatial differences in microplastic loads. This supports the theory that harbours act as a source of microplastics for the surrounding marine environment. Additionally, the absence of any spatial variation highlights the possible long range distribution of microplastic pollutants by large scale ocean currents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Holly Astrid Nel
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, Faculty of Science, Rhodes University, PO Box 94, Grahamstown 6140, South Africa.
| | - Jeffrey William Hean
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, Faculty of Science, Rhodes University, PO Box 94, Grahamstown 6140, South Africa
| | - Xavier Siwe Noundou
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Rhodes University, P.O. Box 94, Grahamstown 6140, South Africa
| | - Pierre William Froneman
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, Faculty of Science, Rhodes University, PO Box 94, Grahamstown 6140, South Africa
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Nel HA, Froneman PW. Diet of the endemic bivalve Solen cylindraceus inferred from stable isotope analysis in the Kariega Estuary, South Africa. Molluscan Research 2016. [DOI: 10.1080/13235818.2016.1175917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Holly Astrid Nel
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa
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Nel HA, Froneman PW. A quantitative analysis of microplastic pollution along the south-eastern coastline of South Africa. Mar Pollut Bull 2015; 101:274-279. [PMID: 26433774 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2015.09.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 154] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2015] [Revised: 09/23/2015] [Accepted: 09/24/2015] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
The extent of microplastic pollution (<5mm) in the southern hemisphere, particularly southern Africa, is largely unknown. This study aimed to evaluate microplastic pollution along the south-eastern coastline of South Africa, looking at whether bays are characterised by higher microplastic densities than open stretches of coastline in both beach sediment and surf-zone water. Microplastic (mean ± standard error) densities in the beach sediment ranged between 688.9 ± 348.2 and 3308 ± 1449 particles · m(-2), while those in the water column varied between 257.9 ± 53.36 and 1215 ± 276.7 particles · m(-3). With few exceptions there were no significant spatial patterns in either the sediment or water column microplastic densities; with little differences in density between bays and the open coast (P>0.05). These data indicate that the presence of microplastics were not associated with proximity to land-based sources or population density, but rather is governed by water circulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- H A Nel
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, Rhodes University, PO Box 94, Grahamstown 6140, South Africa.
| | - P W Froneman
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, Rhodes University, PO Box 94, Grahamstown 6140, South Africa
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Wasserman RJ, Matcher GF, Vink TJF, Froneman PW. Preliminary evidence for the organisation of a bacterial community by zooplanktivores at the top of an estuarine planktonic food web. Microb Ecol 2015; 69:245-253. [PMID: 25301499 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-014-0505-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2014] [Accepted: 09/25/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
As part of a larger investigation, the effect of apex predation on estuarine bacterial community structure, through trophic cascading, was investigated using experimental in situ mesocosms. Through either the removal (filtration) or addition of specific size classes of planktonic groups, four different trophic scenarios were established using estuarine water and its associated plankton. One such treatment represented a "natural" scenario in which stable apex predatory pressure was qualified. Water samples were collected over time from each of the treatments for bacterial community evaluation. These samples were assessed through pyrosequencing of the variable regions 4 and 5 of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene and analysed at the species operational taxonomic unit (OTU) level using a community procedure. The blue-green group dominated the samples, followed by Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes. Samples were the most similar among treatments at the commencement of the experiment. While the bacterial communities sampled within each treatment changed over time, the deviation from initial appeared to be linked to the treatment trophic scenarios. The least temporal deviation-from-initial in bacterial community was found within the stable apex predatory pressure treatment. These findings are consistent with trophic cascade theory, whereby predators mediate interactions at multiple lower trophic levels with consequent repercussions for diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- R J Wasserman
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, Rhodes University, P.O. Box 94, Grahamstown, 6140, South Africa,
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Froneman PW, Vorwerk PD. Response of the Plankton to a Fresh Water Pulse in a Fresh Water Deprived, Permanently Open South African Estuary. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2013. [DOI: 10.4236/jwarp.2013.54040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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