Environment and gut morphology influence microplastic retention in langoustine, Nephrops norvegicus

Welden, Natalie A.; Cowie, Phillip R.

doi:10.1016/j.envpol.2016.03.067

Cited by 193 publications

(117 citation statements)

References 44 publications

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“…More recently, Welden found that polyethylene, polypropylene, and nylon rope in subtidal conditions (10 m depth) of the Clyde Sea area (Scotland) exhibited a reduction in weight, averaging between 0.39% and 1.02% per month, and suggested that this weight loss was the result of the release of microplastic particles. Of interest is that Welden found no correlation between the reduction in mechanical properties and the reduction in weight of the ropes. This finding suggests that microplastic particles may be produced from degrading plastic material before a significant reduction in mechanical properties.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

From macroplastic to microplastic: Degradation of high‐density polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene in a salt marsh habitat

Weinstein

Crocker

Gray

2016

Enviro Toxic and Chemistry

416

180

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As part of the degradation process, it is believed that most plastic debris becomes brittle over time, fragmenting into progressively smaller particles. The smallest of these particles, known as microplastics, have been receiving increased attention because of the hazards they present to wildlife. To understand the process of plastic degradation in an intertidal salt marsh habitat, strips (15.2 cm × 2.5 cm) of high-density polyethylene, polypropylene, and extruded polystyrene were field-deployed in June 2014 and monitored for biological succession, weight, surface area, ultraviolet (UV) transmittance, and fragmentation. Subsets of strips were collected after 4 wk, 8 wk, 16 wk, and 32 wk. After 4 wk, biofilm had developed on all 3 polymers with evidence of grazing periwinkles (Littoraria irrorata). The accreting biofilm resulted in an increased weight of the polypropylene and polystyrene strips at 32 wk by 33.5% and 167.0%, respectively, with a concomitant decrease in UV transmittance by approximately 99%. Beginning at 8 wk, microplastic fragments and fibers were produced from strips of all 3 polymers, and scanning electron microscopy revealed surface erosion of the strips characterized by extensive cracking and pitting. The results suggest that the degradation of plastic debris proceeds relatively quickly in salt marshes and that surface delamination is the primary mechanism by which microplastic particles are produced in the early stages of degradation. Environ Toxicol Chem 2016;35:1632-1640. © 2016 SETAC.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

From macroplastic to microplastic: Degradation of high‐density polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene in a salt marsh habitat

Weinstein

Crocker

Gray

2016

Enviro Toxic and Chemistry

416

180

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“…In both studies, MPs (predominantly fibers) were detected in 63% [51] and 83% [52] of the examined animals. A recent study by Welden and Cowie [1] with N. norvegicus confirmed that MP exposure negatively affects feeding, body mass, metabolic activity, and energy reserves. An 8-month exposure to PP fibers via food (0.2-5 mm, five fibers per feeding) resulted in formations of MP aggregates in the gut of the langoustine that might have reduced the uptake of nutrients.…”

Section: Other Crustaceansmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…Yet, marine research has shown malnutrition caused by the intensive feeding on MPs replacing parts of the natural diet [1][2][3]. Additionally, further ingestion-related effects include blockages and injuries to the digestive tract [4], inflammatory response [5], and desorption of xenobiotics [6].…”

Section: à3mentioning

confidence: 99%

Interactions of Microplastics with Freshwater Biota

Scherer

Weber

Lambert

et al. 2017

The Handbook of Environmental Chemistry

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The ubiquitous detection of microplastics in aquatic ecosystems promotes the concern for adverse impacts on freshwater ecosystems. The wide variety of material types, sizes, shapes, and physicochemical properties renders interactions with biota via multiple pathways probable.So far, our knowledge about the uptake and biological effects of microplastics comes from laboratory studies, applying simplified exposure regimes (e.g., one polymer and size, spherical shape, high concentrations) often with limited environmental relevance. However, the available data illustrates species-and materialrelated interactions and highlights that microplastics represent a multifaceted stressor. Particle-related toxicities will be driven by polymer type, size, and shape. Chemical toxicity is driven by the adsorption-desorption kinetics of additives and pollutants. In addition, microbial colonization, the formation of heteroaggregates, and the evolutionary adaptations of the biological receptor further increase the complexity of microplastics as stressors. Therefore, the aim of this chapter is to synthesize and critically revisit these aspects based on the state of the science in freshwater research. Where unavailable we supplement this with data on marine biota. This provides an insight into the direction of future research.In this regard, the challenge is to understand the complex interactions of biota and plastic materials and to identify the toxicologically most relevant characteristics of the plethora of microplastics. Importantly, as the direct biological impacts of This chapter has been externally peer reviewed.

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“…Statistical analysis of the results was carried out as outlined in Welden and Cowie (2016a). Data were analysed using 145 R Studio version 1.0.44.…”

Section: Statistical Analysis 144mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The 51 tendency for crustaceans to take in plastic is supported by a number of observations in wild caught animals. Whilst 52 the number of studies is comparatively low, the uptake of microplastics in wild crustaceans has been seen to be 53 highly heterogeneous, varying with location (Devriese et al, 2015;Welden and Cowie, 2016a). This may be partially 54 due to variation in environmental levels of microplastic, however, retention in Nephrops norvegicus has also been 55 linked to size, sex and moult stage (Welden and Cowie, 2016a).…”

Section: Introduction 38mentioning

confidence: 99%

The effects of trophic transfer and environmental factors on microplastic uptake by plaice, Pleuronectes plastessa, and spider crab, Maja squinado

Welden

Abylkhani

Howarth

2018

Environmental Pollution

123

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Microplastic pollution is apparent throughout the marine environment from deep ocean sediments to coastal habitats. Most of this is believed to originate on land, although marine activities, such as fishing and shipping, also contribute to the release and redistribution of microplastic. The relative importance of these maritime plastic sources, the manner by which they are distributed in the environment, and their effect on uptake by marine organisms are yet to be fully quantified. In this study, the relative impact of fishing activities on microplastic uptake by demersal fish and crustaceans was explored. Local fishing intensity, proximity to land and mean water velocity are compared to microplastic uptake in plaice, Pleuronectes platessa, and spider crab, Maja squinado, from the Celtic Sea. Observations were also made of microplastic contamination in ingested sand eels, Ammodytes tobianus, to establish a potential route of trophic transfer. This study is the first to identify microplastic contamination in spider crab and to document trophic transfer in the wild. Individuals were sampled from sites of varied fishing intensity in the Celtic Sea, and their stomach contents examined for the presence of microplastic. Contamination was observed in 50% of P. platessa, 42.4% of M. squinado, and 44.4% of A. tobianus. Locations of highest plastic abundance varied between P. platessa and M. squinado, indicating that different factors influence the uptake of microplastic in these two taxa. No significant link was observed between fishing effort and microplastic abundance; however, proximity to land was linked to increased abundance in M. squinado and Observations of whole prey demonstrate ongoing trophic transfer from A. tobianus to P. platessa. The lack of significant difference in microplastic abundance between predator and prey suggests that microplastic is not retained by P. platessa.

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Environment and gut morphology influence microplastic retention in langoustine, Nephrops norvegicus

Cited by 193 publications

References 44 publications

From macroplastic to microplastic: Degradation of high‐density polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene in a salt marsh habitat

From macroplastic to microplastic: Degradation of high‐density polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene in a salt marsh habitat

Interactions of Microplastics with Freshwater Biota

The effects of trophic transfer and environmental factors on microplastic uptake by plaice, Pleuronectes plastessa, and spider crab, Maja squinado

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