Microplastic contamination in an urban estuary: Abundance and distribution of microplastics and fish larvae in the Douro estuary

Rodrigues, Sabrina M.; Almeida, C. Marisa R.; Silva, D.; Cunha, Jacinto; Antunes, Carlos; Freitas, Vânia; Ramos, Sandra

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.12.273

Cited by 103 publications

(46 citation statements)

References 51 publications

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“…Conversely, beads (primary MP) are suggested to enter in the marine ecosystem by wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluents after domestic use (Fendall and Sewell, 2009), as these particles may not be retained in the treatment processes. The predominance of fragments in this study is in line with results from a similar study performed in Portugal, in the Douro estuary (Rodrigues et al, 2019) and in Australia, at Clyde, Bega and Hunter estuaries (Hitchcock and Mitrovic, 2019). This suggests that secondary sources of MP prevail, rather than primary sources, and are related with the diverse activities taking place in the nearby urban area, including littering.…”

Section: Distribution Variations According To Particle Shapesupporting

confidence: 91%

“…of Calvi (Collignon et al, 2014) and 0.2 at the Ligurian Sea (Pedrotti et al, 2014). To our knowledge, besides the MP to fish larvae ratio (1.5:1.0; fish eggs excluded) found in Douro river, Portugal (Rodrigues et al, 2019), no studies have assessed the proportion between MP and ichthyoplankton alone (0.091 in average; 1:1.294 maximum), as it has been pooled together with all other zooplankton organisms.…”

Section: Mp:neuston and Mp:ichthyoplankton Ratiosmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This triggered an increase in research aiming at calculating encounter rates between MP and primary consumers, based on their concentrations and ratio (Collignon et al, 2012(Collignon et al, , 2014Hitchcock and Mitrovic, 2019). Yet, such research has been scarcely conducted in Portuguese waters (Frias et al, 2014;Rodrigues et al, 2019), being insufficient for a country where fisheries have a large cultural and social importance (FAO, 2017) and where seafood constitutes a very important diet component (FAO, 2010;Almeida et al, 2015;EUMOFA, 2020).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Distribution Patterns of Microplastics in Seawater Surface at a Portuguese Estuary and Marine Park

Rodrigues

Antunes

Otero

et al. 2020

Front. Environ. Sci.

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Measuring local levels of marine pollution by microplastics (MP) and identifying potential sources in coastal areas is essential to evaluate the associated impacts to environment and biota. The accumulation of floating MP at the sea surface is of great concern as the neustonic habitat consists of a feeding ground for primary consumers (including filter-feeders) and active predators, which makes these organisms a relevant via of MP input into the marine trophic chain. Here, a baseline evaluation of MP accumulation at the sea surface was conducted with a neuston net (335 μm mesh) at the Arrábida coastal area, in Portugal. The study site encompasses a marine protected area and an estuary, both under strong anthropogenic pressures due to multiple activities taking place. A short-term investigation on local spatiotemporal distribution, concentration and composition of MP was performed for the first time, through the monthly collection (summer 2018 to winter 2019) of samples at 6 stations. All the neuston samples contained MP and their mean concentration was 0.45 ± 0.52 items m−3 (mean ± SD). Both the averaged MP:neuston and MP:ichthyoplankton ratios were higher in December, when concentrations of organisms decreased. Temporal distribution patterns followed expected trends, as MP concentration was clearly higher in winter months due to precipitation and runoff. Although mean MP concentrations did not vary significantly between sampling stations, there was a spatial distribution of MP in relation to particle shape and size. Fragments were the most abundant shape and MP belonging to 1–2 mm size class were dominant. Amongst a diversity of 10 polymers identified by FTIR analysis, polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP) and copolymer PP/PE were the most abundant. Potential links between local sources/activities and the different polymers were suggested. Altogether, the information provided in this study aims to raise awareness among the identified sectors and consequently to act toward the prevention of MP inputs in the region.

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Section: Distribution Variations According To Particle Shapesupporting

confidence: 91%

Section: Mp:neuston and Mp:ichthyoplankton Ratiosmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Distribution Patterns of Microplastics in Seawater Surface at a Portuguese Estuary and Marine Park

Rodrigues

Antunes

Otero

et al. 2020

Front. Environ. Sci.

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“…Estuaries have a very high conservational and economic value at global scale, and provide most important ecosystem services [52]. They receive environmental contaminants inputs from both marine and continental origins, including MPs [53,54]. Several of these environmental contaminants may sink and concentrate in particular sites of estuaries.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Neurotoxicity, Behavior, and Lethal Effects of Cadmium, Microplastics, and Their Mixtures on Pomatoschistus microps Juveniles from Two Wild Populations Exposed under Laboratory Conditions―Implications to Environmental and Human Risk Assessment

Miranda

Vieira

Guilhermino

2019

IJERPH

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Microplastics (MPs) were found to modulate the toxicity of other pollutants but the knowledge on the topic is still limited. The goals of this study were to investigate the short-term toxicity of cadmium (Cd) to wild Pomatochistus microps juveniles, the potential modulation of acute Cd toxicity by 1–5 µm polyethylene MPs in this species, and possible differences of sensitivity to Cd and MPs-Cd mixtures between juveniles from two distinct wild populations. Juveniles were collected in the estuaries of Minho (M-est) and Lima (L-est) Rivers (NW Portugal). One 96 h bioassay with M-est juveniles and another one with L-est juveniles were carried out in laboratory conditions. Each bioassay had 12 treatments: control, 5 Cd concentrations, 1 MPs concentration, and 5 MPs-Cd mixtures. No significant differences in Cd-induced mortality between juveniles from distinct estuaries or between juveniles exposed to Cd alone and those exposed to MPs-Cd mixtures were found. The total 96h LC10 and LC50 of Cd alone were 2 mg/L (95% CI: 0–4 mg/L) and 8 mg/L (95% CI: 2–17 mg/L), respectively. Cd alone significantly decreased the post-exposure predatory performance (PEPP) of M-est (≥6 mg/L) and L-est juveniles (≥3 mg/L), and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity of M-est juveniles (13 mg/L). MPs alone (0.14 mg/L) significantly reduced the PEPP and AChE activity of L-est juveniles but not of M-est juveniles. MPs-Cd mixtures (3–13 mg/L of Cd + 0.14 mg/L of MPs) significantly inhibited the PEPP of juveniles from both estuaries and AChE of L-est estuary juveniles but not of M-est juveniles. Evidences of toxicological interactions, namely antagonism, between MPs and Cd were found. Overall, the results indicate that MPs modulated the sub-lethal toxic effects of Cd in wild P. microps juveniles, especially neurotoxicity. Moreover, the environmental conditions of the natural habitats to which juveniles were exposed during pre-developmental phases influence the sub-lethal toxicity of Cd, MPs, and their mixtures. The implications to environmental and human risk assessment are discussed and further research is needed.

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“…These studies also refer that sodium chloride might not be efficient in the density separation step (phase 3) of NOAA protocol, decreasing the protocol’s efficiency and resulting in an underestimation of MPs concentration [4]. All of these factors highlight the need to adapt and establish an efficient methodology specific to estuarine waters to quantify MPs and ensuring an adequate protocol to quantify MPs in the Douro estuary (NW, Portugal) [5].…”

Section: Methods Detailsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Adaptation of a laboratory protocol to quantity microplastics contamination in estuarine waters

2019

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Microplastic contamination in an urban estuary: Abundance and distribution of microplastics and fish larvae in the Douro estuary

Cited by 103 publications

References 51 publications

Distribution Patterns of Microplastics in Seawater Surface at a Portuguese Estuary and Marine Park

Distribution Patterns of Microplastics in Seawater Surface at a Portuguese Estuary and Marine Park

Neurotoxicity, Behavior, and Lethal Effects of Cadmium, Microplastics, and Their Mixtures on Pomatoschistus microps Juveniles from Two Wild Populations Exposed under Laboratory Conditions―Implications to Environmental and Human Risk Assessment

Adaptation of a laboratory protocol to quantity microplastics contamination in estuarine waters

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