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Sigamani S, J A D, Y T DM, S S, U B, Kolandhasamy P, Syed A, Elgorban AM. Bioaccumulation and health risk of metal contamination from different tiers of food chain in Ennore estuary, Southeast coast of India. Mar Pollut Bull 2024; 200:116154. [PMID: 38364646 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116154] [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: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024]
Abstract
The concentration and bioaccumulation of heavy metals were investigated in four distinct components (water, sediment, benthic organisms, and fish) in the Ennore estuary. The average concentration of studied metals in water is 2-5 times higher in the sediment. The geoaccumulation index in the sediment, particularly for Cd, 55 folds greater than WHO and USEPS standards. The indices like MI, Cdeg, PLI, and PERI demonstrated low contamination levels, whereas Igeo and Cf revealed elevated levels of cadmium (Cd), signifying a moderate degree of contamination. Human health indices like Target Hazard Quotation (THQ) values generally fell within permissible limits (<1), except for lead (Pb) and iron (Fe). However, HI values exceeded 1, indicating a non-carcinogenic health risk for consumers. The Target Risk for lead (TRPb) value for Oreochromis urolepis was 1.0 × 10-5, suggesting a significant cancer risk and may leads to other fish species in future if carcinogenic metals bioaccumulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sivaraj Sigamani
- Centre for Ocean Research, Sathyabama Research Park, Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai, India.
| | - Dhrisha J A
- Centre for Ocean Research, Sathyabama Research Park, Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai, India
| | - Dony Miraclin Y T
- Centre for Ocean Research, Sathyabama Research Park, Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai, India
| | - Subiksha S
- Centre for Ocean Research, Sathyabama Research Park, Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai, India
| | - Balaji U
- Centre for Ocean Research, Sathyabama Research Park, Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai, India
| | - Prabhu Kolandhasamy
- Department of Marine Science, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, India
| | - Asad Syed
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. 2455, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdallah M Elgorban
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. 2455, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
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2
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Zheng Y, Hamed M, De-la-Torre GE, Frias J, Jong MC, Kolandhasamy P, Chavanich S, Su L, Deng H, Zhao W, Shi H. Holes on surfaces of the weathered plastic fragments from coastal beaches. Mar Pollut Bull 2023; 193:115180. [PMID: 37352798 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115180] [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] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 06/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/25/2023]
Abstract
The surface morphology of weathered plastics undergoes a variety of changes. In this study, 3950 plastic fragments from 26 beaches around the world, were assessed to identify holes. Holes were identified on 123 fragments on 20 beaches, with the highest frequency (10.3 %) being identified at Qesm AL Gomrok Beach in Egypt. The distribution of holes could be divided into even, single-sided, and random types. The external and internal holes were similar in size (37 ± 15 μm) of even type fragments. The external holes were larger than the internal holes in single-sided (516 ± 259 μm and 383 ± 161 μm) and random (588 ± 262 μm and 454 ± 210 μm) fragment types. The external hole sizes were positively correlated with the internal hole sizes for each type. This study reports a novel deformation phenomenon on the surface of weathered plastics and highlights their potential effects on plastics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifan Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Mohamed Hamed
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China; Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University (Assiut Branch), Assiut 71524, Egypt
| | - Gabriel Enrique De-la-Torre
- Grupo de Investigación de Biodiversidad, Medio Ambiente y Sociedad, Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola, Lima, Peru
| | - João Frias
- Marine and Freshwater Research Centre (MFRC), Atlantic Technological University (ATU), Galway Campus, Dublin Road, Galway H91 T8NW, Ireland
| | - Mui-Choo Jong
- Institute of Environment and Ecology, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Prabhu Kolandhasamy
- Departmet of Marine Science, School of Marine Sciences, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu 620024, India
| | - Suchana Chavanich
- Department of Marine Science, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Lei Su
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Hua Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Wenjun Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Huahong Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China.
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3
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Mookan VP, Machakalai RK, Srinivasan S, Sigamani S, Kolandhasamy P, Gnanamoorthy P, Moovendhan M, Srinivasan R, Hatamleh AA, Ai-Dosary MA. Assessment of metal contaminants along the Bay of Bengal - Multivariate pollution indices. Mar Pollut Bull 2023; 192:115008. [PMID: 37182243 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/29/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
The spatial concentration of heavy metals (Mn, Ni, Cu, Co, Zn, Cd, and Pb) was studied in coastal areas (n = 9) including water (n = 27) and sediment (n = 27) in the Palk Bay, India to understand the metal pollution due to prevailing natural and anthropogenic activities. Pollution indices like metal index (MI), geoaccumulation index (Igeo), contamination factor (CF), pollution load index (PLI) and potential ecological risk (PER) were calculated based on the background/reference value. The values of MI index indicated that water was free of metals, whereas Igeo, CF, PLI and PER indicated moderate contamination of sediment in monsoon. Cadmium concentrations were the highest irrespective of the indices (Igeo: 0.04-1.42, Cf: 0.36-0.74, PLI: 0.36-0.74, and PER: 76.89-143.36) indicating moderate pollution. The Principal Component Analysis (PCA) affirmed that Cd was positively correlated with stations indicating anthropogenic sources of Cd contamination.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rajesh Kumar Machakalai
- Centre for Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai, India
| | - Sundararajan Srinivasan
- Centre for Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai, India
| | - Sivaraj Sigamani
- Centre for Ocean Research, Col. Dr. Jeppiaar Research Park, Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai, India.
| | - Prabhu Kolandhasamy
- Department of Marine Science, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, India
| | - Palingamoorthy Gnanamoorthy
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Forest Ecology, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China
| | - Meivelu Moovendhan
- Centre for Ocean Research, Col. Dr. Jeppiaar Research Park, Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai, India
| | - Ramachandran Srinivasan
- Centre for Ocean Research, Col. Dr. Jeppiaar Research Park, Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai, India
| | - Ashraf Atef Hatamleh
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2455, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Munirah Abdullah Ai-Dosary
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2455, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
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Kannan G, Mghili B, De-la-Torre GE, Kolandhasamy P, Machendiranathan M, Rajeswari MV, Saravanakumar A. Personal protective equipment (PPE) pollution driven by COVID-19 pandemic in Marina Beach, the longest urban beach in Asia: Abundance, distribution, and analytical characterization. Mar Pollut Bull 2023; 186:114476. [PMID: 36529014 PMCID: PMC9726691 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.114476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [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: 11/06/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/04/2022] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
COVID-19 pandemic has enforced the use of personal protective equipment (PPE, masks and gloves). However, the mismanagement of litter are exacerbating the increasing plastic issue worldwide. In the present study, we sampled discarded PPE in 10 sites along Marina Beach, India. We characterized the litter types by chemical analysis techniques. A total of 1154 COVID-19-associated PPE items were found on Marina beach. The highest number of items were face masks (97.9 %) and the mean PPE density in the sites studied was 4 × 10-3 PPE m-2. The results demonstrate that poor solid waste management and lack of awareness are the main causes of pollution at Marina beach. FTIR spectroscopy revealed that face masks and gloves were principally made of polypropylene and latex, respectively. The FTIR spectra also showed signs of chemical degradation. Our results suggest that plastic pollution is increasing, possibly becoming more impactful to marine biota. Beach management measures were discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gunasekaran Kannan
- Centre for Aquaculture, Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai 600 119, Tamil Nadu, India.
| | - Bilal Mghili
- LESCB, URL-CNRST N 18, Abdelmalek Essaadi University, Faculty of Sciences, Tetouan, Morocco
| | | | - Prabhu Kolandhasamy
- Department of Marine Science, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli 620024, India
| | - Mayakrishnan Machendiranathan
- Laboratory for Coastal Ocean Variation and Disaster Prediction, College of Ocean and Meteorology, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang 524088, Guangdong, China
| | | | - Ayyappan Saravanakumar
- Centre of Advanced Study in Marine Biology, Faculty of Marine Sciences, Annamalai University, Parangipettai 608502, Tamil Nadu, India
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5
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Hamzah SR, Altrawneh RS, Anuar ST, Khalik WMAWM, Kolandhasamy P, Ibrahim YS. Ingestion of microplastics by the estuarine polychaete, Namalycastis sp. in the Setiu Wetlands, Malaysia. Mar Pollut Bull 2021; 170:112617. [PMID: 34139586 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [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: 03/27/2020] [Revised: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
In this study, the ingestion of microplastics by the deposit-feeding polychaete Namalycastis sp. in the estuarine area of the Setiu Wetlands, Malaysia was confirmed. Samples were collected from six stations, covering the wetland from the south to the north, bimonthly between November 2016 and November 2017. Microplastics were extracted from polychaete samples following digestion in an alkaline solution (10 M NaOH). They were identified by physical characteristics (i.e., shape and color under dissecting microscope and scanning electron microscope), and chemical analysis using a LUMOS Fourier Transform Infrared Microscope (μ-FTIR). A total of 3277 pieces were identified, which were dominated by filaments (99.79%) and with the majority transparent in color (84.71%). Most of the microplastics identified were polypropylene (PP) followed by polyamide (PA) based on their main peak in the of μ-FTIR spectrum. Principal component analysis demonstrated the dominance of microplastics at stations 3 and 4 of the sampling area, probably because of the influx from the open sea and from aquaculture. The findings of this research provide baseline information on microplastics ingested by benthic organisms and their fate in the estuarine food web.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siti Rabaah Hamzah
- Faculty of Science and Marine Environment, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia
| | - Ra'ad Shaher Altrawneh
- Faculty of Science and Marine Environment, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia
| | - Sabiqah Tuan Anuar
- Faculty of Science and Marine Environment, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia; Microplastic Research Interest Group (MRIG), Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia
| | - Wan Mohd Afiq Wan Mohd Khalik
- Faculty of Science and Marine Environment, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia; Microplastic Research Interest Group (MRIG), Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia
| | - Prabhu Kolandhasamy
- Coastal and Marine Ecology Division, Gujarat Institute of Desert Ecology, Bhuj-Kachchh 370001, India
| | - Yusof Shuaib Ibrahim
- Faculty of Science and Marine Environment, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia; Microplastic Research Interest Group (MRIG), Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia.
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6
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Behera DP, Kolandhasamy P, Sigamani S, Devi LP, Ibrahim YS. A preliminary investigation of marine litter pollution along Mandvi beach, Kachchh, Gujarat. Mar Pollut Bull 2021; 165:112100. [PMID: 33581571 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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: 09/10/2020] [Revised: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Marine debris is a global issue with adverse impacts on marine organisms, ecological processes, aesthetics, and economies of nations. Several studies have been conducted to quantify the plastic debris along Indian beaches. This baseline study describes the results of a survey conducted on the types of plastic litters and their quantification during January to March 2020 along Mandvi beach in Gujarat. A quadrate having 10 × 10 m size was used for sampling the plastic litter on the shoreline. A total of 10 quadrates along the shore was considered for quantification of the plastic materials based on their density, color, and weight. The plastic material observed includes gutkha pouches, food wrappers, and fragments, along with plastic straws, cutleries, and fragments of various dimensions and thickness. The major contributing factors for the debris abundance in Mandvi beach are land-based sources and recreational activities. The results suggest that similar long-term projects covering extensive areas should be undertaken for accurate quantification of available debris and their impacts on coastal habitats of Gujarat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Durga Prasad Behera
- Coastal and Marine Ecology Division, Gujarat Institute of Desert Ecology, Bhuj-Kachchh 370001, India
| | - Prabhu Kolandhasamy
- Coastal and Marine Ecology Division, Gujarat Institute of Desert Ecology, Bhuj-Kachchh 370001, India.
| | - Sivaraj Sigamani
- Coastal and Marine Ecology Division, Gujarat Institute of Desert Ecology, Bhuj-Kachchh 370001, India
| | - Lakshmi Prabha Devi
- Coastal and Marine Ecology Division, Gujarat Institute of Desert Ecology, Bhuj-Kachchh 370001, India
| | - Yusof Shuaib Ibrahim
- Institute of Oceanography and Environment (INOS), University of Malaysia, Terengganu, Malaysia
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7
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Li L, Su L, Cai H, Rochman CM, Li Q, Kolandhasamy P, Peng J, Shi H. The uptake of microfibers by freshwater Asian clams (Corbicula fluminea) varies based upon physicochemical properties. Chemosphere 2019; 221:107-114. [PMID: 30640001 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.01.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [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: 09/12/2018] [Revised: 12/12/2018] [Accepted: 01/03/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Microplastic is an umbrella term that covers particles with various physical and chemical properties. However, microplastics with a consistent shape, polymer type and size are generally used in exposure studies (e.g., spherical polyethylene or polystyrene beads 1-100 μm in size). In the present study, we exposed freshwater Asian clams (Corbicula fluminea) to microfibers with different physicochemical properties at concentrations of 100 and 1000 fibers/L. The first experiment in this study exposed clams to microfibers made from six different polymers, demonstrating that Asian clams uptake more polyester (PET) (4.1 items/g) relevant to other polymers. The next experiment exposed clams to PET fibers of different size classes, demonstrating that uptake in the size range 100-250 μm (1.7 items/g) was greater than other size classes. These results suggest that physicochemical properties such as polymer and size play important roles in the uptake of microfibers by organisms. Thus, we strongly suggest that the properties of microplastics used in future laboratory exposure experiments be considered, with the aim of being "environmentally relevant", i.e., similar to what is found in nature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingyun Li
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Lei Su
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Huiwen Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Chelsea M Rochman
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Qipei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Prabhu Kolandhasamy
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Jinping Peng
- Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Light Industry, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Huahong Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China.
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8
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Li J, Lusher AL, Rotchell JM, Deudero S, Turra A, Bråte ILN, Sun C, Shahadat Hossain M, Li Q, Kolandhasamy P, Shi H. Using mussel as a global bioindicator of coastal microplastic pollution. Environ Pollut 2019; 244:522-533. [PMID: 30368156 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2018.10.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 236] [Impact Index Per Article: 47.2] [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: 06/15/2018] [Revised: 08/29/2018] [Accepted: 10/05/2018] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
The ubiquity and high bioavailability of microplastics have an unknown risk on the marine environment. Biomonitoring should be used to investigate biotic impacts of microplastic exposure. While many studies have used mussels as indicators for marine microplastic pollution, a robust and clear justification for their selection as indicator species is still lacking. Here, we review published literature from field investigations and laboratory experiments on microplastics in mussels and critically discuss the suitability and challenges of mussels as bioindicator for microplastic pollution. Mussels are suitable bioindicator for microplastic pollution because of their wide distribution, vital ecological niches, susceptibility to microplastic uptake and close connection with marine predators and human health. Field investigations highlight a wide occurrence of microplastics in mussels from all over the world, yet their abundance varies enormously. Problematically, these studies are not comparable due to the lack of a standardized approach, as well as temporal and spatial variability. Interestingly, microplastic abundance in field-collected mussels is closely related to human activity, and there is evidence for a positive and quantitative correlation between microplastics in mussels and surrounding waters. Laboratory studies collectively demonstrate that mussels may be good model organisms in revealing microplastic uptake, accumulation and toxicity. Consequently, we propose the use of mussels as target species to monitor microplastics and call for a uniform, efficient and economical approach that is suitable for a future large-scale monitoring program.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiana Li
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200062, China; School of Environmental Sciences, University of Hull, Cottingham Road, Hull, HU6 7RX, United Kingdom
| | - Amy L Lusher
- Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA), Gaustadalleen 21, 0349, Oslo, Norway
| | - Jeanette M Rotchell
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of Hull, Cottingham Road, Hull, HU6 7RX, United Kingdom
| | - Salud Deudero
- Instituto Español de Oceanografía, Centro Oceanográfico de Baleares, Muelle de Poniente s/n, 07015, Palma de Mallorca, Spain
| | | | - Inger Lise N Bråte
- Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA), Gaustadalleen 21, 0349, Oslo, Norway
| | - Chengjun Sun
- Key Laboratory of Marine Bioactive Substances, The First Institute of Oceanography, SOA, Qingdao, China
| | - M Shahadat Hossain
- Institute of Marine Sciences and Fisheries, University of Chittagong, Chittagong, 4331, Bangladesh
| | - Qipei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200062, China
| | - Prabhu Kolandhasamy
- Coastal and Marine Ecology Division, Gujarat Institute of Desert Ecology, India
| | - Huahong Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200062, China.
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9
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Su L, Cai H, Kolandhasamy P, Wu C, Rochman CM, Shi H. Using the Asian clam as an indicator of microplastic pollution in freshwater ecosystems. Environ Pollut 2018; 234:347-355. [PMID: 29195176 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2017.11.075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 219] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.5] [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: 08/07/2017] [Revised: 11/22/2017] [Accepted: 11/23/2017] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Bioindicators play an important role in understanding pollution levels, bioavailability and the ecological risks of contaminants. Several bioindicators have been suggested for understanding microplastic in the marine environment. A bioindicator for microplastics in the freshwater environment does not exist. In our previous studies, we found a high frequency of microplastic pollution in the Asian clam (Corbicula fluminea) in Taihu Lake, China. In the present study, we conducted a large-scale survey of microplastic pollution in Asian clams, water and sediment from 21 sites in the Middle-Lower Yangtze River Basin from August to October of 2016. The Asian clam was available in all sites, which included diverse freshwater systems such as lakes, rivers and estuaries. Microplastics were found at concentrations ranging from 0.3-4.9 items/g (or 0.4-5.0 items/individual) in clams, 0.5-3.1 items/L in water and 15-160 items/kg in sediment. Microfibers were the most dominant types of microplastics found, accounting for 60-100% in clams across all sampling sites. The size of microplastics ranged from 0.021-4.83 mm, and microplastics in the range of 0.25-1 mm were dominant. The abundance, size distribution and color patterns of microplastics in clams more closely resembled those in sediment than in water. Because microplastic pollution in the Asian clam reflected the variability of microplastic pollution in the freshwater environments, we demonstrated the Asian clam as an bioindicator of microplastic pollution in freshwater systems, particularly for sediments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Su
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China
| | - Huiwen Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China
| | - Prabhu Kolandhasamy
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China
| | - Chenxi Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Chelsea M Rochman
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Huahong Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China.
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10
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Kolandhasamy P, Su L, Li J, Qu X, Jabeen K, Shi H. Adherence of microplastics to soft tissue of mussels: A novel way to uptake microplastics beyond ingestion. Sci Total Environ 2018; 610-611:635-640. [PMID: 28822931 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.08.053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 247] [Impact Index Per Article: 41.2] [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: 06/01/2017] [Revised: 07/20/2017] [Accepted: 08/05/2017] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Microplastic pollution is recognized as an emerging threat to aquatic ecosystems. One of the main environmental risks associated with microplastics is their bioavailability to marine organisms. Up to date, ingestion has been widely accepted as the sole way for the animals to uptake microplastics. Nevertheless, microplastics have also been found in some organs which are not involved in the process of ingestion. We hypothesize that the animal might uptake microplastics through adherence in addition to ingestion. To test this hypothesis, we collected mussels from the fishery farms, conducted exposure/clearance experiments and analyzed the accumulation of microplastics in specific organ of mussels. Our studies clearly showed the uptake of microplastic in multiple organs of mussels. In the field investigations, we found that the abundance of microplastic by weight but not by individual showed significant difference among organs, and the intestine contained the highest level of microplastics (9.2items/g). In the uptake and clearance experiment, the accumulation and retention of microfibers could also be observed in all tested organs of mussels including foot and mantle. Our results strongly suggest that adherence rather than ingestion led to the accumulation of microplastics in those organs which are not involved in ingestion process. To our best knowledge, it is the first time to propose that adherence is a novel way for animals to uptake microplastics beyond ingestion. This new finding makes us rethink about the bioavailability, accumulation and toxicity of microplastics to aquatic animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prabhu Kolandhasamy
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China
| | - Lei Su
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China
| | - Jiana Li
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China
| | - Xiaoyun Qu
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China
| | - Khalida Jabeen
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China
| | - Huahong Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China.
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11
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Su L, Xue Y, Li L, Yang D, Kolandhasamy P, Li D, Shi H. Microplastics in Taihu Lake, China. Environ Pollut 2016; 216:711-719. [PMID: 27381875 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2016.06.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 586] [Impact Index Per Article: 73.3] [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: 03/05/2016] [Revised: 06/09/2016] [Accepted: 06/18/2016] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
In comparison with marine environments, the occurrence of microplastics in freshwater environments is less understood. In the present study, we investigated microplastic pollution levels during 2015 in Taihu Lake, the third largest Chinese lake located in one of the most developed areas of China. The abundance of microplastics reached 0.01 × 10(6)-6.8 × 10(6) items/km(2) in plankton net samples, 3.4-25.8 items/L in surface water, 11.0-234.6 items/kg dw in sediments and 0.2-12.5 items/g ww in Asian clams (Corbicula fluminea). The average abundance of microplastics was the highest in plankton net samples from the southeast area of the lake and in the sediments from the northwest area of the lake. The northwest area of the lake was the most heavily contaminated area of the lake, as indicated by chlorophyll-α and total phosphorus. The microplastics were dominated by fiber, 100-1000 μm in size and cellophane in composition. To our best knowledge, the microplastic levels measured in plankton net samples collected from Taihu Lake were the highest found in freshwater lakes worldwide. The ratio of the microplastics in clams to each sediment sample ranged from 38 to 3810 and was negatively correlated to the microplastic level in sediments. In brief, our results strongly suggest that high levels of microplastics occurred not only in water but also in organisms in Taihu Lake.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Su
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China
| | - Yingang Xue
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Protection of Water Environmental Biological Monitoring of Jiangsu Province, Changzhou Environmental Monitoring Centre, Jiangsu 213001, China
| | - Lingyun Li
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China
| | - Dongqi Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China
| | - Prabhu Kolandhasamy
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China
| | - Daoji Li
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China
| | - Huahong Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China.
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Li J, Qu X, Su L, Zhang W, Yang D, Kolandhasamy P, Li D, Shi H. Microplastics in mussels along the coastal waters of China. Environ Pollut 2016; 214:177-184. [PMID: 27086073 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2016.04.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 423] [Impact Index Per Article: 52.9] [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: 02/08/2016] [Revised: 04/03/2016] [Accepted: 04/04/2016] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Microplastic has been confirmed as an emerging pollutant in marine environments. One of the primary environmental risks of microplastics is their bioavailability for aquatic organisms. Bivalves are of particular interest because their extensive filter-feeding activity exposes them directly to microplastics present in the water column. In the present study, we investigated microplastic pollution in mussels (Mytilus edulis) from 22 sites along 12,400 mile coastlines of China in 2015. The number of total microplastics varied from 0.9 to 4.6 items/g and from 1.5 to 7.6 items/individual. M. edulis contained more microplastics (2.7 items/g) in wild groups than that (1.6 items/g) in farmed groups. The abundance of microplastics was 3.3 items/g in mussels from the areas with intensive human activities and significantly higher than that (1.6 items/g) with less human activities. The most common microplastics were fibers, followed by fragments. The proportion of microplastics less than 250 μm in size arranged from 17% to 79% of the total microplastics. Diatom was distinguished from microplastics in mussels for the first time using Scanning Electron Microscope. Our results suggested that the numbers of microplastic kept within a relatively narrow range in mussels and were closely related to the contamination of the environments. We proposed that mussels could be used as a potential bioindicator of microplastic pollution of the coastal environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiana Li
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China
| | - Xiaoyun Qu
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China
| | - Lei Su
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China
| | - Weiwei Zhang
- Division of Marine Chemistry, National Marine Environmental Monitoring Center, Dalian 116023, China
| | - Dongqi Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China
| | - Prabhu Kolandhasamy
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China
| | - Daoji Li
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China
| | - Huahong Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China.
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Abstract
Microplastics have been found in seas all over the world. We hypothesize that sea salts might contain microplastics, because they are directly supplied by seawater. To test our hypothesis, we collected 15 brands of sea salts, lake salts, and rock/well salts from supermarkets throughout China. The microplastics content was 550-681 particles/kg in sea salts, 43-364 particles/kg in lake salts, and 7-204 particles/kg in rock/well salts. In sea salts, fragments and fibers were the prevalent types of particles compared with pellets and sheets. Microplastics measuring less than 200 μm represented the majority of the particles, accounting for 55% of the total microplastics, and the most common microplastics were polyethylene terephthalate, followed by polyethylene and cellophane in sea salts. The abundance of microplastics in sea salts was significantly higher than that in lake salts and rock/well salts. This result indicates that sea products, such as sea salts, are contaminated by microplastics. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on microplastic pollution in abiotic sea products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongqi Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University , Shanghai 200062, China
| | - Huahong Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University , Shanghai 200062, China
| | - Lan Li
- Research Center for Analysis and Measurement, Donghua University , Shanghai 201620, China
| | - Jiana Li
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University , Shanghai 200062, China
| | - Khalida Jabeen
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University , Shanghai 200062, China
| | - Prabhu Kolandhasamy
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University , Shanghai 200062, China
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