Application of an enzyme digestion method reveals microlitter in Mytilus trossulus at a wastewater discharge area,

Marine Pollution Bulletin, Volume 130, May 2018, Pages 206-214, ISSN 0025-326X,

Abstract:

The ingestion of microlitter by blue mussels (450) was studied at a
wastewater recipient area in the Baltic Sea. The mussel soft tissues
were digested using enzymatic detergents and the detected litter
particles characterized with FT-IR imaging spectroscopy. Microlitter
concentration in seawater and WWTP effluent were also measured.
Microlitter was found in 66% of the mussels. Mussels from the WWTP
recipient had higher microlitter content compared to those collected at
the reference site. Plastics made up 8% of all the analysed microlitter
particles. The dominating litter types were fibres (~90% of all
microlitter), 42% of which were cotton, 17% linen, 17% viscose and 4%
polyester. The risk of airborne contamination during laboratory work was
lowered when mussels were digested with their shells on instead of
dissecting them first. The approach was found applicable and gentle to
both non-synthetic and synthetic materials including fragile fibres.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1LawtDfKfLJWfxZOMZ5BcVI9cx3LVsUuD
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.03.022.(https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X1830167X)

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High intake rates of microplastics in a Western Atlantic predatory fish, and insights of a direct fishery effect,

Environmental Pollution, Volume 236, May 2018, Pages 706-717, ISSN 0269-7491,

Abstract:
Microplastic contamination was investigated in the gut contents of an economically important estuarine top predator, Cynoscion acoupa, according to spatiotemporal and ontogenetic use of a tropical estuary.

Microplastic contamination was found in more than half of the analysed fish. Ingested microplastics were classified by type, colour and length with most of the particles consisting of filaments (<5 mm). Longer filaments were more frequently ingested in the upper estuary and smaller filaments in the lower estuary, as a result of differences in
hydrodynamic forces and proximity to the probable input sources.
The river is likely an important source of filaments to the estuary and filaments ingested in the upper estuary showed little sign of weathering, when compared with those from the lower estuary, which are subject to intense weathering and consequent break-up of particles to smaller sizes.
Most filaments, of all colours, accumulated in adults of C. acoupa, which are more susceptible to contamination through both direct ingestion and trophic transference as they shift their feeding mode to piscivory. Moreover, the highest ingestion of filaments in adults occurred in the lower estuary, during the late rainy season, likely associated with the intense fishing activities in this habitat, which results in a greater input of filaments from fishing gear, which
are mainly blue in colour.
Overall, 44% of the ingested filaments were blue, 20% purple, 13% black, 10% red and 12% white. The next most common colour, the purple filaments, are most likely blue filaments whose colour has weathered to purple. Red filaments were proportionally more ingested in the lower estuary, indicating a coastal/oceanic source.
White and black filaments were more commonly ingested in the inner estuary, suggesting that they have a riverine origin and/or were actively ingested by juveniles and sub-adults, which inhabit the inner estuary and have zooplankton as an important food resource.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=11dU2qe45pv7Bx2o9FgVQwIEco-gdo-0h

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2018.01.095.

(https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0269749117339143)

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Marine litter in an EBSA (Ecologically or Biologically Significant Area) of the central Mediterranean Sea:
Abundance, composition, impact on benthic species and basis for monitoring entanglement,

Environmental Pollution, Volume 236, May 2018, Pages 405-415, ISSN 0269-7491,

Abstract:
Marine litter is commonly observed everywhere in the ocean. In this
study, we analyzed 17 km of video footage, collected by a Remotely
Operated Vehicle (ROV) at depths ranging between 20 and 220 m, during 19
transects performed on the rocky banks of the Straits of Sicily.

Recently, the Contracting Parties of the Convention on Biological
Diversity (CBD) recognized this site as an Ecologically or Biologically
Significant Area (EBSA). The research aim was to quantify the abundance
of marine litter and its impact on benthic fauna. Litter density ranged
from 0 items/100 m2 to 14.02 items/100 m2 with a mean (±standard error)
of 2.13 (±0.84) items/100 m2. The observed average density was higher
(5.2 items/100 m2) at depths >100 m than at shallower depths (<100 m,
0.71 items/100 m2). Lost or abandoned fishing lines contributed to
98.07% of the overall litter density, then representing the dominant
source of marine debris.
Litter interactions with fauna were frequently observed,
with 30% of litter causing “entanglement/coverage” and 15%
causing damage to sessile fauna. A total of 16 species showed
interaction (entanglement/coverage or damage) with litter items and 12
of these are species of conservation concern according to international
directives and agreements (CITES, Berne Convention, Habitat Directive,
SPA/BD Protocol, IUCN Red List); we also observed 7 priority habitats of
the SPA/BD Protocol.
This research will support the implementation of monitoring “Harm” as
recommended by the UN Environment/MAP Regional Plan
on Marine Litter Management in the Mediterranean, and the Marine
Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD). The institution of a SPAMI in the
investigated area could represent a good management action for the
protection of this hotspot of biodiversity and to achieve a Good
Environmental Status (GES) for the marine environment by 2020, under the MSFD.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=10ZtZSF1Q1hBqTHJaHA8Dg2FTr3ZqBGPx
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2018.01.097.
(https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0269749117330117)

The post Marine litter in an EBSA (Ecologically or Biologically Significant Area) of the central Mediterranean Sea: Abundance, composition, impact on benthic species and basis for monitoring entanglement, appeared first on One Earth - One Ocean e. V..

Marine litter in an EBSA (Ecologically or Biologically Significant Area) of the central Mediterranean Sea:
Abundance, composition, impact on benthic species and basis for monitoring entanglement,

Environmental Pollution, Volume 236, May 2018, Pages 405-415, ISSN 0269-7491,

Abstract:

Marine litter is commonly observed everywhere in the ocean.
In this study, we analyzed 17 km of video footage, collected by a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) at depths ranging between 20 and 220 m, during 19 transects performed on the rocky banks of the Straits of Sicily.

Recently, the Contracting Parties of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) recognized this site as an Ecologically or Biologically Significant Area (EBSA). The research aim was to quantify the abundance of marine litter and its impact on benthic fauna. Litter density ranged from 0 items/100 m2 to 14.02 items/100 m2 with a mean (±standard error) of 2.13 (±0.84) items/100 m2. The observed average density was higher (5.2 items/100 m2) at depths >100 m than at shallower depths (<100 m, 0.71 items/100 m2). Lost or abandoned fishing lines contributed to
98.07% of the overall litter density, then representing the dominant source of marine debris. Litter interactions with fauna were frequently observed, with 30% of litter causing “entanglement/coverage” and 15% causing damage to sessile fauna.
A total of 16 species showed interaction (entanglement/coverage or damage) with litter items and 12 of these are species of conservation concern according to international directives and agreements (CITES, Berne Convention, Habitat Directive, SPA/BD Protocol, IUCN Red List); we also observed 7 priority habitats of the SPA/BD Protocol.

This research will support the implementation of monitoring “Harm” as recommended by the UNEnvironment/MAP Regional Plan on Marine Litter Management in the Mediterranean, and the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD). The institution of a SPAMI in the investigated area could represent a good management action for the
protection of this hotspot of biodiversity and to achieve a Good Environmental Status (GES) for the marine environment by 2020, under the MSFD.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=10ZtZSF1Q1hBqTHJaHA8Dg2FTr3ZqBGPx
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2018.01.097.(https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0269749117330117)

The post Marine litter in an EBSA (Ecologically or Biologically Significant Area) of the central Mediterranean Sea: Abundance, composition, impact on benthic species and basis for monitoring entanglement appeared first on One Earth - One Ocean e. V..

Comparisons of microplastic pollution between mudflats and sandy beaches in Hong Kong,

Environmental Pollution, Volume 236, May 2018, Pages 208-217, ISSN 0269-7491,

Abstract:

Most of the previous studies of microplastic pollution on coastal habitats focused on high energy beaches although low energy areas such as mudflats are supposed to retain more microplastics, not to mention that mudflats are biologically more diverse.

We quantified and characterized microplastics from 10 mudflats and 10 sandy beaches in Hong Kong spanning from the eastern to western waters. Sediment samples were collected at 1.0 m and 1.5 m above chart datum (CD) and at the
strandline. Abundance of microplastics ranged between 0.58 and 2116 items kg−1 sediment with that on mudflats being ten times more than on beaches.
Polyethylene (46.9%) was the most abundant and followed by polypropylene (13.8%) and polyethylene terephthalate (13.5%). Expanded polystyrene was the most abundant in the strandline samples but not at 1.0 m and 1.5 m above CD. Although previous studies have concluded that the input from Pearl River is a major source of microplastics on Hong Kong shores, this study has demonstrated that the contribution of local pollution sources such as discharge from sewage treatment plants to microplastic pollution should not be neglected.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1folzxJOL2Iln0t3mliGIM6k0ZsWa08Nb

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2018.01.031.(https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0269749117345451)

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Sorption behaviors of phenanthrene on the microplastics identified in a mariculture farm in Xiangshan Bay, southeastern China,

Science of The Total Environment,
Volumes 628–629,
2018,
Pages 1617-1626,
ISSN 0048-9697,

Abstract:

Recently, with the accumulation of evidence that microplastic can be ingested by a variety of marine organisms, microplastic sorption behaviors towards organic contaminants (OCs) have become the subject of more studies due to the concerns about the contaminant vector effect.
In this study, the priority microplastics identified in a mariculture farm in Xiangshan Bay, China, including polyethylene (PE) and nylon fibers (i.e., derived from new fishing ropes and nets), were examined for their
sorption behaviors. The results indicate that both plastic fibers show linear isotherms towards phenanthrene, a common target hydrophobic organic contaminant (HOC), revealing the characteristics of a partitioning mechanism. The sorption capacity of PE fiber was found to be 1–2 orders of magnitude higher (evaluated by Freundlich parameter log KF) than that of nylon fiber, suggesting the importance of plastic surface functional groups (i.e., with or without hydrophilic groups). By comparing carbon normalized log KF with literature data, the organic affinity of PE fiber was found to be 1–2 orders of magnitude lower than that of vectors, such as carbonaceous geosorbents (CG), but was 1–2 orders of magnitude higher than that of marine sediments. Small size and rough surface tended to enhance the sorption of plastic fibers of phenanthrene. In addition, phenol (log KOW: 1.46), a low-hydrophobicity
compound, showed approximately 3 orders of magnitude lower sorption amounts onto both fibers compared to phenanthrene (log KOW: 4.46), indicating the selectivity of hydrophobicity. The results of this study demonstrate that the high abundance of plastic fibers distributed in mariculture farms could lead to a higher contaminant transfer effect than marine sediments, and their effects on cultured seafood (e.g., crab and fish) need further investigation.
Keywords: Marine debris; Plastic; Fiber; PAHs; Uptake; Seafood

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1_-3VZFrGlVvqE3595xBJX_OXAc2WfhEh
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.02.146.(http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969718305370)

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Plastic ingestion in aquatic-associated bird species in southern Portugal,

Marine Pollution Bulletin,Volume 126, 2018, Pages 413-418, ISSN 0025-326X,

Abstract:

Excessive use of plastics in daily life and the inappropriate
disposal of plastic products are severely affecting wildlife species in
both coastal and aquatic environments. Birds are top-predators, exposed
to all threats affecting their environments, making them ideal sentinel
organisms for monitoring ecosystems change. We set a baseline assessment
of the prevalence of marine plastic litter affecting multi-species
populations of aquatic birds in southern Portugal. By examining 160
stomach contents from 8 species of aquatic birds, we show that 22.5%
were affected by plastic debris. Plastic was found in Ciconia ciconia,
Larus fuscus and L. michahellis. Ciconia ciconia ingested the highest
amount (number of items and total mass) of plastic debris.
Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS, silicones) was the most abundant polymer and
was recorded only in C. ciconia. Plastic ingestion baseline data are of
crucial importance to evaluate changes through time and among regions
and to define management and conservation strategies.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X1731007X/pdfft?md5=64d43aad628c8830b4cafc9cae885d37&pid=1-s2.0-S0025326X1731007X-main.pdf

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1adEkCYhZiJ2xeiuRjPnBSVAtVHq_gJJH

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.11.050.(http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X1731007X)

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Can the Basel and Stockholm Conventions provide a global framework to reduce the impact of marine plastic litter?

Marine Policy, 2018, ISSN 0308-597X,

Abstract:

The issues resulting from plastic waste in the marine
environment have highlighted a general failure to control this pollutant
on both land and at sea. The international community is now realising
that the increasing growth in the amount of plastic pollution in the
ocean is reaching a critical point. This has led to a questioning of the
current international governance arrangements for marine litter. The
environmental and socio-economic impacts of marine litter are a symptom
of policy failures and greater action is required “upstream” by industry
on land to reduce these impacts. The Stockholm and Basel Conventions are
international binding instruments that offer the best opportunity to
reduce the impacts of plastics and plastic waste globally. We examine
weaknesses in how hazardous wastes are categorised and the options to
close the gaps in the current framework that allow for and keep pace
with innovation. Both conventions are found to be inadequate to manage
the entire lifecycle of all plastic applications. Options are suggested
for strengthening the international legal and policy framework in order
to reduce on a global scale 1) the quantity of plastic waste generated,
and 2) the hazard of plastics throughout their lifecycle.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1iM299sslrADl71ufVeHlKRbYXdIKjLbV

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2018.01.013.(http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0308597X17305146)

The post Can the Basel and Stockholm Conventions provide a global framework to reduce the impact of marine plastic litter? appeared first on One Earth - One Ocean e. V..

Available online 2 March 2018, ISSN 0308-597X,

Abstract:

Derelict fishing nets comprise a significant amount of the marine debris
in the world’s oceans and on its shorelines. These ‘ghost nets’ result
in economic losses for the fishing industry, pose hazards to navigation
at sea, and can entangle marine and terrestrial wildlife. Ghost nets are
an acute problem along Australia’s northern coastline, with most nets
originating from Southeast Asian fishing vessels outside Australia’s
Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). To understand the causes of gear loss and
identify tractable solutions to this transboundary problem, Australian
and Indonesian fishers (N = 54) were asked why, when and in what
circumstances and conditions they are likely to lose gear. Fishers
identified snagging of nets (78%) and gear conflicts (19%) as the main
causes of gear loss. These interviews informed the development of a
fault tree, as a tool to identify the chain of events that result in
gear loss or abandonment. The fault tree analysis provides
recommendations for interventions and improvements in regional fisheries
management to reduce fishing gear loss ultimately resulting from
overcrowding, overcapacity and illegal, unreported and unregulated
Fishing (IUU).

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0308597X17307406/pdfft?md5=1e08fe7b7a5b72b9582a831f2eb5c6fd&pid=1-s2.0-S0308597X17307406-main.pdf

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1RAfJGu0uFTDEtrNppfNI23pEdAFCEbmh
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2018.02.021.(https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0308597X17307406)

The post Understanding causes of gear loss provides a sound basis for fisheries management appeared first on One Earth - One Ocean e. V..

Marine Pollution Bulletin, Volume 126, 2018, Pages 413-418, ISSN 0025-326X,

Abstract:

Excessive use of plastics in daily life and the inappropriate disposal of plastic products are severely affecting wildlife species in
both coastal and aquatic environments. Birds are top-predators, exposed to all threats affecting their environments, making them ideal sentinel organisms for monitoring ecosystems change. We set a baseline assessment of the prevalence of marine plastic litter affecting
multi-species populations of aquatic birds in southern Portugal.

By examining 160 stomach contents from 8 species of aquatic birds, we show that 22.5% were affected by plastic debris.
Plastic was found in Ciconia ciconia, Larus fuscus and L. michahellis. Ciconia ciconia ingested the highest amount
(number of items and total mass) of plastic debris.

Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS, silicones) was the most abundant polymer and was recorded only in C. ciconia. Plastic ingestion baseline
data are of crucial importance to evaluate changes through time and among regions and to define management and conservation strategies.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X1731007X/pdfft?md5=64d43aad628c8830b4cafc9cae885d37&pid=1-s2.0-S0025326X1731007X-main.pdf
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.11.050.(http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X1731007X)

The post Plastic ingestion in aquatic-associated bird species in southern Portugal appeared first on One Earth - One Ocean e. V..