Multispecies Assessment of Anthropogenic Particle Ingestion in a Marine Protected Area

Abstract

We have applied a multispecies ecosystem approach to analyse the ingestion of anthropogenic particles (AP) in the gastrointestinal tract of 313 individuals (17 fish species and 8 invertebrate species) from pelagic, demersal and benthic habitats in a marine protected area off the Western Mediterranean (Cabrera National Park). We have quantified and characterized the ingestion at several taxonomic levels of fish, sea urchins, sea cucumbers, bivalves, and jellyfish in relation to biotic/abiotic factors based on taxonomic groups, trophic guilds (functional groups) and habitats. AP ingestion occurrence ranged from 26 to 100% with no significant differences among taxonomic groups. The fish within the MPA showed an overall ingestion occurrence ranging from 0 to 100%, the echinoderms from 29 to 100%, the bivalves from 72 to 96% and the jellyfish 36% ingestion. The ecosystem approach applied to evaluate overall AP ingestion within the species reported that for trophic guilds, the omnivorous species ingested the highest amounts of anthropogenic items, while herbivores ingested significantly fewer items than all other trophic guilds. Moreover, no significant differences were found amongst habitats, indicating a homogeneous spatial distribution of APs at all studied habitats. The multispecies approach provided insight into the high APs exposure to species within Cabrera MPA, highlighting the potential harm linked with marine litter that threatens marine biodiversity.

Monitoring microplastics in coastal waters of a biosphere reserve: a case study in Menorca (Spain)

“…According to characteristics of quantified items, fibres predominated over fragments, films, pellets, and foams which is different to previous observations in the same study area where fragments (75.35%) were the most abundant type but it has to be noted that fibres were not considered in this latter study (Fagiano et al 2022 ). It is important to highlight that according to some authors, fibres are considered as one of the most concerning microplastic type given its ubiquous distribution and that they are present in species of different trophic levels (Compa et al 2022a , b ; Ois Remy et al 2015 ). Moreover, in the research conducted by van der Hal et al ( 2017 ), light-coloured (white or transparent) fragments were by far more abundant than other types of plastics which also differs from our results given that dark colours (black and blue) accounted for more than 50% of the identified colours followed by light-colours (white and transparent; 36%).…”

“…A recent study has documented microplastic (MP) abundance ranging from 5576 to 379,965 items/km 2 along the sea surface of north-western Mediterranean harbours possibly linked to the fact that these areas hold industrial and transportation activities which are important entering points of plastic pollution to the ocean (Tesán Onrubia et al 2021 ). Not only anthropogenic areas are exposed to plastic pollution but some studies indicate that Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) or areas with some type of protection status can be even more exposed to plastic pollution than anthropogenic areas (Compa et al 2022a , b ). Additionally, similar sea surface plastic abundances have been quantified in protected areas, with no local land-based contamination sources, and high anthropized areas in the western Mediterranean Sea (Fagiano et al 2022 ).…”

“…Moreover, plastics quantified in the protected areas were made up of small items, mainly fragments (Fagiano et al 2022 ), which could be indicating the transportation and fragmentation of larger plastic items into smaller particles in the marine environment. Marine protected areas are frequently made up of small islands and islets which are generally exposed to meteorological factors that might enhance plastic accumulation and retention (Compa et al 2022a , b ). In this sense, there is scientific evidence that microplastic abundances deposited in sediments are higher in MPAs than in areas exposed to human pressures (Alomar et al 2016 ; Cohen-Sánchez et al 2022 ), and its distribution can also be affected by the characteristics of the seafloor (Rios-Fuster et al 2023 ).…”

“…The Balearic Islands, located in the western Mediterranean Sea, are vulnerable to plastic pollution, especially during the high touristic season, in summer, in which its population increases drastically and this fact is reflected in microplastic abundances quantified in marine ecosystems of this area (Compa et al 2022a , b ). In this sense, sea surface water samples collected during August around coastal areas contained almost two-fold as much plastic than samples obtained during July and September and the number of items decreased significantly with distance from the coastline (Compa et al 2020 ).…”

Are seafloor habitats influencing the distribution of microplastics in coastal sediments of a Marine Protected Area?

“…This fact can be explained by the phenomenon mentioned above that exposes the ability of some vegetal species such as Posidonia oceanica to trap MPs generating aegagropilaes jointly with the lignocellulosic debris of P. oceanica which under extreme meteorological conditions are washed ashore, reducing the presence of these particles in the water environment (Sanchez-Vidal et al 2021). In addition to the presence of relevant species such as P. oceanica, some benthic species inhabiting the area such as sea cucumbers can alter the distribution of MPs in marine sediments as a consequence of the high ingestion of MPs and the consequent accumulation of these particles due to its non-selective feeding behavior (Compa et al 2022a;Rios-Fuster et al 2022a).…”