Habitat-forming species trap microplastics into coastal sediment sinks

Smit, Jaco C. de; Antón, Andrea; Martin, Cecilia; Rossbach, Susann; Bouma, Tjeerd J.; Duarte, Carlos M.

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.145520

Cited by 55 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 49 publications

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“…This suggests that "missing plastic" accumulates in environmental sinks. The Arctic sea ice (Obbard et al, 2014;Peeken et al, 2018), deep-sea sediments (Barrett et al, 2020;Kane et al, 2020;Woodall et al, 2014), and coastal sediments (de Smit et al, 2021;Martin et al, 2020;Van Cauwenberghe et al, 2015) have been identified as important permanent and temporary sinks for microplastics. In addition, aggregation of microplastics into marine snow or organisms may serve as temporary sinks (Kvale et al, 2020).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reef‐building corals act as long‐term sink for microplastic

Reichert

Arnold

Hammer

et al. 2021

Global Change Biology

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reef‐building corals act as long‐term sink for microplastic

Reichert

Arnold

Hammer

et al. 2021

Global Change Biology

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“…Similar current generating flume was used by de Smit et al ( 2021) to assess the mechanism of microplastic trapping by three specimens that were, sea meadows, macroalgae and corals, which are predominant in nearshore habitats (de Smit et al 2021). Having larger surface and architectural complexities, corals had the highest number of microplastics within them, and greater than 90% of smaller sized microplastics got entrained within the sediment samples.…”

Section: Marine Canopiesmentioning

confidence: 94%

Microplastics in mangroves and coral reef ecosystems: a review

2021

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Microplastic pollution has recently been identified as a major issue for the health of ecosystems. Microplastics have typically sizes of less than 5 mm and occur in various forms, such as pellets, fibres, fragments, films, and granules. Mangroves and coral reefs are sensitive and restricted ecosystems that provide free ecological services such as coastal protection, maintaining natural cycles, hotspots of biodiversity and economically valuable goods. However, urbanization and industrial activities have started contaminating even these preserved ecosystems. Here we review sources, occurrence, and toxicity of microplastics in the trophic levels of mangrove and coral reef ecosystems. We present detection methods, such as microscopic identification and spectroscopy. We discuss mitigating measures that prevent the entry of microplastics into the marine environment.

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“…The distribution of MPs within the coral reef system is influenced by the presence of habitat-forming species. The complex threedimensional structure of these habitat-forming species results in the physical deposition of MNPs from the water column [69,[71][72][73], and translocation into the sediments (Figure 2). Habitat-forming species may also influence the translocation of suspended MNPs into the food chain.…”

Section: Sedimentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Reef sediments act as sinks for MPs and their associated chemical contaminants [ 69 , 70 ]. Sediments >3.5 cm depth act as permanent sinks as they are unlikely to be resuspended under modal sea conditions.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microplastics: impacts on corals and other reef organisms

Pantos

2022

Emerging Topics in Life Sciences

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Plastic pollution in a growing problem globally. In addition to the continuous flow of plastic particles to the environment from direct sources, and through the natural wear and tear of items, the plastics that are already there have the potential to breakdown further and therefore provide an immense source of plastic particles. With the continued rise in levels of plastic production, and consequently increasing levels entering our marine environments it is imperative that we understand its impacts. There is evidence microplastic and nanoplastic (MNP) pose a serious threat to all the world's marine ecosystems and biota, across all taxa and trophic levels, having individual- to ecosystem-level impacts, although these impacts are not fully understood. Microplastics (MPs; 0.1–5 mm) have been consistently found associated with the biota, water and sediments of all coral reefs studied, but due to limitations in the current techniques, a knowledge gap exists for the level of nanoplastic (NP; <1 µm). This is of particular concern as it is this size fraction that is thought to pose the greatest risk due to their ability to translocate into different organs and across cell membranes. Furthermore, few studies have examined the interactions of MNP exposure and other anthropogenic stressors such as ocean acidification and rising temperature. To support the decision-making required to protect these ecosystems, an advancement in standardised methods for the assessment of both MP and NPs is essential. This knowledge, and that of predicted levels can then be used to determine potential impacts more accurately.

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Habitat-forming species trap microplastics into coastal sediment sinks

Cited by 55 publications

References 49 publications

Reef‐building corals act as long‐term sink for microplastic

Reef‐building corals act as long‐term sink for microplastic

Microplastics in mangroves and coral reef ecosystems: a review

Microplastics: impacts on corals and other reef organisms

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