Microplastic retention by marine vegetated canopies: Simulations with seagrass meadows in a hydraulic flume

Santos, Carmen B. de los; Krång, Anna-Sara; Infantes, Eduardo

doi:10.1016/j.envpol.2020.116050

Cited by 55 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…An experimental controlled lab study has revealed that seagrass of increasing density does potentially trap more microplastic particles, but that the nature of such an effect is dependent upon both the density of the microplastics and the water flow velocity [50]. Lighter fractions (e.g.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Canopy Accumulation: Are Seagrass Meadows a Sink of Microplastics?

Unsworth

Higgs

Walter

et al. 2021

Oceans

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A growing body of research is documenting the accumulation of microplastics within marine sediments around the world. The hydrodynamic influences of seagrasses in coastal environments are shown to increase sedimentation of finer particles and as a result there has been speculation that this attribute will lead to seagrass meadows acting as a site of elevated microplastic contamination. To date a range of localised studies have provided conflicting answers to this hypothesis. Seagrass meadows provide multiple ecosystem services including vital support roles for a range of fisheries; therefore, there are considerable human health implications for understanding their role as sinks of microplastics. This research investigated the abundance and diversity of microplastics present in temperate North Atlantic seagrass meadow sediments relative to unvegetated sediments and examined how they correlate with the meadow structure and the sediment type. We also placed this data in the context of the current knowledge of microplastics in seagrass sediments through a global meta-analysis of published data. Eight seagrass meadows and adjacent unvegetated sites around the UK were sampled to test for the abundance of microplastic particles in the sediment. Microplastics were found in 98% of the samples, with fibres making up 91.8% of all microplastics identified. Abundance was recorded to overall be 215 ± 163 microplastic particles (MP) kg−1 Dry Weight (DW) of sediment in seagrass and 221 ± 236 MP kg−1 DW of sediment in unvegetated habitats. There were no significant differences found between the number of MP with respect to vegetation. We report evidence of the almost ubiquitous contamination of seagrass sediments with microplastics both in the UK and globally but find that the contamination reflects a general build-up of microplastics in the wider environment rather than becoming concentrated within seagrass as an enhanced sink. Microplastic build up in sediments is hypothesised to be the result of local hydrodynamics and plastic sources rather than the result of elevated habitat level concentration. Although not of a higher abundance in seagrass, such contamination in seagrass is of cause for concern given the high dependency of many species of fish on these habitat types and the potential for plastics to move up the food chain.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Canopy Accumulation: Are Seagrass Meadows a Sink of Microplastics?

Unsworth

Higgs

Walter

et al. 2021

Oceans

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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%

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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“…The particle trapping ability of these canopies are dependent on the tidal patterns, and so, contamination in these areas may deposit particles within this megafauna. De los Santos et al ( 2021) tried simulating such canopies, using seagrass meadows (Zostera marina) in a hydraulic flume, and found that density of shoot of meadows, density of microplastics and flow velocity are important parameters that had direct influence on deposition of microplastics within these canopies (de los Santos et al 2021). The simulation studies also proved that low flow velocities aided in deposition of both dense and floating polymeric substances, whereas under high flow velocities, the deposition of any kind of particles could not take place suggesting that under certain conditions these marine canopies may serve as sinks of microplastics.…”

Section: Marine Canopiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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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Microplastic retention by marine vegetated canopies: Simulations with seagrass meadows in a hydraulic flume

Cited by 55 publications

References 33 publications

Canopy Accumulation: Are Seagrass Meadows a Sink of Microplastics?

Canopy Accumulation: Are Seagrass Meadows a Sink of Microplastics?

Microplastics: impacts on corals and other reef organisms

Microplastics in mangroves and coral reef ecosystems: a review

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