MDPI - Publisher of Open Access Journals

10 pages, 1039 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Oxidative Stress in Mussel Mytilus trossulus Induced by Different-Sized Plastics

by Nadezhda Vladimirovna Dovzhenko, Valentina Vladimirovna Slobodskova, Andrey Alexandrovich Mazur, Sergey Petrovich Kukla, Aleksandra Anatolyevna Istomina, Victor Pavlovich Chelomin and Dmitriy Denisovich Beskhmelnov

J. Xenobiot. 2024, 14(4), 1826-1835; https://doi.org/10.3390/jox14040097 - 22 Nov 2024

Viewed by 1323

Abstract

Polyethylene and polystyrene are massively used around the world in various applications and are the most abundant plastic waste. Once in the marine environment, under the influence of physical and chemical factors, plastic products degrade, changing from the size category of macroplastics to microplastics. In order to study the effect of plastic on marine organisms, we modeled the conditions of environmental pollution with different-sized plastic—polystyrene microparticles of 0.9 µm and macro-sized polyethylene fragments of 10 cm—and compared their effect on biochemical parameters in the tissues of the bivalve mollusk Mytilus trossulus. Using biomarkers, it was found that regardless of the size and type of polymer, polystyrene microparticles and polyethylene macrofragments induced the development of oxidative stress in mussels. A significant decrease in the level of lysosomal stability in mussel hemocytes was observed. Increases in the level of DNA damage and the concentration of malonic dialdehyde in the cells of gills and the digestive gland were also shown. The level of total antiradical activity in cells varied and had a tissue-specific character. It was shown that both ingested polystyrene particles and leachable chemical compounds from polyethylene are toxic for mussels. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Ecotoxicology)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

12 pages, 2555 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Plastics at an Offshore Fish Farm on the South Coast of Madeira Island (Portugal): A Preliminary Evaluation of Their Origin, Type, and Impact on Farmed Fish

by Mariana Martins, Ana Pombo, Susana Mendes and Carlos A. P. Andrade

Environments 2024, 11(9), 202; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments11090202 - 14 Sep 2024

Viewed by 1667

Abstract

Plastic pollution is a global problem affecting all ecosystems, and it represents most of the marine litter. Offshore aquaculture is a sector particularly vulnerable to this issue. To investigate this concern, the present study employed videography to monitor macroplastics at an offshore fish farm on Madeira Island (Portugal) and analysis of fish gut content to evaluate macroplastic ingestion by farmed sea bream Sparus aurata. Our analysis revealed that the majority of identified plastic debris originated from domestic use (66.66%) and fisheries/aquaculture activities (24.99%). While the number of dead fish suitable for sampling was limited (1.05% of the total mortality), macroplastic debris ingestion was identified in 5.15% of the total mortalities and reported for the first time in species in offshore farming conditions. Fish ingested fragmented plastic sheets, with the amount positively correlated with fish weight (r = 0.621, p = 0.031, n = 12). Notably, the stretched length of these fragments exceeded 50% of the standard length of most fish. Inconsistencies were observed in the number of samples collected per cage and per week. To ensure robust results, these discrepancies should be rectified in future studies. Additionally, extending the sampling period to encompass all seasons would be beneficial for a more comprehensive understanding of seasonal variations in plastic occurrence. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plastics Pollution in Aquatic Environments)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 3726 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Analysis of Plastic Ingestion by Juvenile Loggerhead Sea Turtles (Caretta caretta) Stranded from Tenerife, Canary Islands

by Marina Tortosa, Juan Jesús Bellido and José Carlos Báez

Sustainability 2024, 16(16), 7147; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16167147 - 20 Aug 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2551

Abstract

The exponential rise in plastic debris in oceans poses a severe threat to marine biodiversity, including loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) due to their widespread distribution and feeding habits. The present study aimed to assess plastic ingestion in juvenile loggerhead sea turtles stranded in Tenerife, Canary Islands. Among the 312 turtles admitted to the Wildlife Recovery Center “La Tahonilla” from July 2018 to November 2020, bycatch (20.8%) and entanglement (15.4%) were the primary admission causes, with significantly higher strandings in the island’s western region. Of these, 37 turtles (11.9%) had ingested plastic debris, totaling 546 pieces (average 14.59 ± 26.57 per turtle). Predominantly, filaments (44%), sheets (34%), and fragments (23%) were identified, with most being macroplastics (67%) in white or transparent colors. These findings, consistent with similar studies, underscore loggerhead sea turtles’ role as bioindicators of sea water pollution. They also highlight the urgent need for sustainable practices to mitigate plastic pollution in marine environments, preserve marine biodiversity, and achieve global sustainability goals. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Sustainability, Biodiversity and Conservation)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

24 pages, 9037 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Macroplastics in the Bottom of the Veracruz Reef System National Park

by Citlalmina Morales Jiménez, Fabiola Lango Reynoso, María del Refugio Castañeda Chávez and Gabycarmen Navarrete Rodríguez

Sustainability 2023, 15(8), 6934; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15086934 - 20 Apr 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2691

Abstract

The presence of macroplastics in the marine ecosystem is one of the most serious types of pollution today. On the seabed of reef ecosystems, macroplastics are an indicator of contamination because they are easily observable due to their size greater than 2.5 cm. When these wastes sink, they cause serious damage, such as physical changes to the seabed, entanglement, ingestion and transport of invasive species, and can serve as vectors for other pollutants. The main types of macroplastics found in this research work correspond to 57% fishing gear, 14% plastic fragments and 9% textiles. Most of the macroplastics were located in the Veracruz reef subsystem, in the Gallega, Anegada de adentro, Ingenieros, Pájaros and Hornos reefs; In the Antón Li-zardo reef subsystem, macroplastics were found in the Anegadilla reef and in the middle. In reference to the concentration of macroplastics at the bottom of the PNSAV, it is possible to point out that the higher the density of the material with respect to seawater, the economic activities carried out near the reefs have a greater influence, both in the distribution and in the classification of macroplastics, compared to the hydrodynamics. Finally, with all these elements, a theoretical model of distribution and concentration of macroplastics in reef bottoms is proposed. Full article

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

18 pages, 5388 KiB

Open AccessReview

Marine Litter Impact on Sandy Beach Fauna: A Review to Obtain an Indication of Where Research Should Contribute More

by Leonardo Lopes Costa, Lucia Fanini, Mohamed Ben-Haddad, Maurizio Pinna and Ilana Rosental Zalmon

Microplastics 2022, 1(3), 554-571; https://doi.org/10.3390/microplastics1030039 - 9 Sep 2022

Cited by 41 | Viewed by 7072

Abstract

In order to identify how research contributes to the knowledge of marine litter as a pressure on beaches, we reviewed interactions of beach fauna with this pollutant. Entanglement of pinnipeds in fishing gear, negative correlations between macroinvertebrates abundance and sediment pollution, and the presence of plastic surrounding burrows were primary evidence of beach fauna interacting with stranded litter. Ingestion represents the main body of research; microplastic uptake by invertebrates has been studied by laboratory experiments and field collections to report the presence of polymers in tissues. In the natural context, the higher the urbanization surrounding beaches and sediment pollution, the higher the concentration of microplastics in organs of bivalves. This approach currently constitutes the main research direction, but ecotoxicological assays are emerging prospects to assess the effects of exposure to microplastics. Beached macroplastics entangle and entrap invertebrates and vertebrates, and studies have reported increasing negative interactions with seals and sea turtles. Changes in nesting and feeding behavior of resident and transient organisms have been shown as typical early warning indicators of marine litter impacts. The focus on fauna–litter interactions holds terrific potential for research and citizen science projects, which finally becomes a powerful driver towards environmental awareness on sandy beaches. Full article

(This article belongs to the Collection Current Opinion in Microplastics)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

6 pages, 946 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Macroplastic in Seabirds at Mirny, Antarctica

by Sergey Golubev

Birds 2020, 1(1), 13-18; https://doi.org/10.3390/birds1010003 - 8 Dec 2020

Cited by 19 | Viewed by 3679

Abstract

Plastic debris makes up the majority of marine debris around the world, and pollution is a serious threat to marine wildlife. Threats represent two types of biological interactions with plastic: entanglement and ingestion. This paper describes interactions of seabirds with plastic in Mirny and draw the attention of researchers to the existing problem. In 2012/2013 and 2015/2016, year-round observations of the author were carried out at Mirny station and Haswell Islands (area of about 12 km²), east Antarctica. One case of entanglement of a molting adult Adélie penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae) in a fishing line was been identified; in addition to one case of an adult emperor penguin (Aptenodytes forsteri) mistakenly ingesting plastic braided rope and subsequently feeding it as part of a food lump to the chick, and two cases of macroplastics found in pellets of south polar skuas (Catharacta maccormicki). Registrations of entanglement and ingestion of macroplastic by seabirds in Mirny are rare. They signal to us about problem that needs to be included in the monitoring for the health of terrestrial biota of the Haswell archipelago. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers of Birds 2021)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Search Results (6)

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI

Saved Queries

Search Filter Reset All

Years

Feature Papers

Subjects

Journals

Article Types

Countries / Regions

Search Results (6)

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI