Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
11
Published: April 12, 2023
Although
there
is
growing
concern
about
ingestion
of
microplastics
by
marine
organisms,
little
research
has
been
conducted
on
herbivores.
This
the
first
study
to
document
microplastic
within
family
Sirenia.
Subsamples
were
collected
from
five
locations
in
gastrointestinal
tracts
(GI)
26
dead
manatees
(
Trichechus
manatus
latirostris
)
Tampa
Bay,
Florida.
During
gross
necropsies,
macroplastic
pieces
found
seven
individuals
(26.9%).
Careful
visual
examination
subsampled
portions
GI
contents
indicated
that
19
(73.1%)
contained
plastic
particles.
As
had
both
macro
and
pieces,
overall
frequency
occurrence
was
76.9%.
Due
large
volume
cellulose-rich
ingested
material,
it
not
feasible
analyze
entire
gut
contents,
nor
conduct
chemical
or
enzymatic
digestion;
therefore,
very
likely
many
detected.
Despite
these
technical
challenges,
clear
Bay
are
routinely
consuming
addition
larger
pieces.
Currently,
nothing
known
physiological
effects
sirenians,
however
environmental
plastics
could
be
concentrated
through
subsequent
production
microplastics-laden
feces.
Environmental Pollution,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
342, P. 123094 - 123094
Published: Dec. 8, 2023
Coastal
ecosystems,
such
as
coral
reefs,
are
vulnerable
to
microplastic
pollution
input
from
proximal
riverine
and
shoreline
sources.
However,
deposition,
retention,
transport
processes
largely
unevaluated,
especially
in
relation
hydrodynamics.
For
the
first
time,
we
experimentally
investigate
retention
of
biofilmed
by
branching
3D
printed
corals
(staghorn
Acropora
genus)
under
various
unidirectional
flows
(U
=
{0.15,
0.20,
0.25,
0.30}
ms−1)
canopy
densities
(15
48
m−2).
These
variables
found
drive
trapping
efficiency,
with
79–98%
microplastics
retained
canopies
across
experimental
duration
at
high
flow
velocities
0.25–0.30
ms−1),
compared
10–13%
for
bare
bed,
denser
retaining
only
15%
more
than
sparse
highest
conditions
0.30
ms−1).
Three
fundamental
mechanisms
were
identified:
(a)
particle
interception,
(b)
settlement
on
branches
or
within
coral,
(c)
accumulation
downstream
wake
region
coral.
Corresponding
hydrodynamics
reveal
that
spatial
distribution
is
modulated
energy-dissipative
effects
due
flow-structure
interactions
reducing
in-canopy
generating
localised
turbulence.
The
wider
ecological
implications
systems
discussed
light
findings,
particularly
terms
concentrations
locations
plastic
accumulation.
Environmental Pollution,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
357, P. 124483 - 124483
Published: July 1, 2024
Seagrass
meadows
are
one
of
the
world's
most
diverse
ecosystems
offering
habitats
for
an
extensive
array
species,
as
well
serving
protectors
coral
reefs
and
vital
carbon
sinks.
Furthermore,
they
modify
hydrodynamics
by
diminishing
water
flow
velocities
enhancing
sediment
deposition,
indicating
potential
microplastic
accumulation
in
their
sediments.
The
build-up
microplastics
could
potentially
have
ecological
impacts
threatening
to
ecosystems,
however
little
is
known
about
abundance
controlling
factors
seagrass
Here
we
investigated
characteristics
abundances
within
sediments
underlying
four
meadow
sites
on
Turneffe
Atoll,
Belize.
Sediment
cores
were
collected
sub-sampled
include
a
range
replicate
surface
(0-4
cm)
depth
(sediment
depths
0-2,
2-5,
5-10,
10-20
20-30
cm).
These
analysed
using
25
μm
resolution
μFTIR,
with
spectral
maps
processed
siMPle
software.
Microplastics
prevalent
across
(limit
detection
(LOD)
blank-corrected)
<
LOD
17137
kg
Research in Ecology,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
unknown, P. 41 - 53
Published: Aug. 1, 2024
Microplastics
have
been
detected
in
seagrass
ecosystems,
raising
concerns
about
their
potential
impacts
on
the
ecological
functions
of
seagrasses.
Seagrass
meadows
are
biodiversity
hotspots
as
they
provide
habitats
to
diverse
fish
and
invertebrates.
They
also
play
a
crucial
role
nutrient
cycling,
capturing
carbon,
buffering
coastal
erosion.
This
review
aims
present
fate
microplastics
ecosystems
ecosystems.
A
total
66
scientific
articles
reviewed.
The
highlights
that
intercept
microplastics,
though
relevant
results
currently
inconclusive.
Some
attach
epiphytes
blades
or
while
some
accumulate
sediment,
causing
enrichment
meadows.
Nonetheless,
few
studies
did
not
observe
such
intercepting
effects.
Microplastic
enrichment,
where
observed,
could
be
due
near-bed
turbulent
kinetic
energy
entraps
denser
sinking
microplastics.
can
directly
affect
seagrasses
by
blocking
light
transfer,
affecting
shoot
leaf
turnover,
degenerating
root
oxidative
stress.
However,
study
Zostera
marina
L.
found
short-term
exposure
significantly
impact
bicarbonate
utilization
photosynthetic
efficiency.
additives,
particularly
bisphenol
reduced
chlorophyll
caused
peroxide
accumulation
Cymodocea
nodosa.
presence
biodegradable
plastics
sediment
might
alter
distribution
interaction
species.
Seagrasses
affected
indirectly
through
but
more
needed
confirm
this.
Desorption
pollutants
sorbed
negatively
Further
research
focus
microplastic
ecosystem
processes
therein,
including
cycling.
Disintegration-oriented
techniques
alternatives
conventional
two
strategies
mitigate
prevalence
environment.
