Suitability of aquatic mosses for biomonitoring micro/meso plastics in freshwater ecosystems

Abstract

Background Mesoplastics (5–25 mm) and microplastics (0.001–5 mm) are emerging pollutants of great concern. However, reliable methods of monitoring these types of plastic in river ecosystems have not yet been established. The goal of this work was to evaluate, for the first time, the suitability of Fontinalis antipyretica as a biomonitor of meso- and micro-plastics in rivers. With this aim, native samples of the moss and devitalized moss clones, held inside the bags, were compared for the uptake of fluorescent polystyrene particles under laboratory conditions, and for retention of plastic debris in the field, in sites close to wastewater treatment plants. Results In the laboratory experiment, the moss retained smaller microplastics, and a higher number of polystyrene meso and microplastics was counted in the moss bags than in the native moss. In the field study, the moss retained plastic debris chiefly in the form of fibres regardless of the capacity and flow rate of the wastewater treatment plants affecting each sampling site. The uniform morphology of moss clone seems to affect the retention of this type of pollutant. The FTIR analysis confirmed the particles entrapped by the moss bags as plastic, specifically polyethylene and polyamide type 6, among the most common plastic polymers detected in rivers. Conclusions The study findings highlighted the value of using uniform material, as the clone exhibited a greater accumulation efficiency with respect to the native moss. The mesh bags could act as selective filters and/or prevent the loss of adhering plastics. In the field, the bags favour plastic fibres retention despite the river flow. Finally, although FTIR is useful for the identification of plastic type, it is not very sensitive when small quantities of ground samples are used.

Evaluation of intercellular and extracellular synthesis of biogenic amines by the aquatic mossVesicularia dubyana

“…It is worth noting that, until now, studies on aquatic moss species have been relatively limited and mainly referred to their study as effective biomonitoring tools (Carrieri et al 2022;Real et al 2021;Świsłowski et al 2023;Zotina et al 2024). This study was the first to demonstrate the ability of the aquatic moss V. dubyana to produce biogenic amines: histamine, tryptamine, tyramine, kynurenine, and kynurenic acid.…”

“…The model mosses employed in these studies include species Physcomitrium patens, Sphagnum fallax, Ceratodon purpureus, etc. To date, studies on aquatic moss species have been relatively limited and have mainly focused on their use as effective biomonitoring tools (Carrieri et al 2022;García et al 2023;Monaci et al 2021;Świsłowski et al 2023;Zotina et al 2024). Similarly, sporadic work was conducted on the aquatic mosses Calliergon cordifolium, Drepanocladus lycopodioides (Amblysteglaceae), and Fontinalis antipyretica.…”