A case study on microplastics pollution characteristics in fouling organisms in typical aquaculture bay, China

Kexin Song; Wei Jin; Guang Yang; Haichao Zhang; Pingjing Li; Wei Huang; Zhihua Feng

doi:10.1016/j.marenvres.2023.106286

A case study on microplastics pollution characteristics in fouling organisms in typical aquaculture bay, China

Mar Environ Res. 2024 Jan:193:106286. doi: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2023.106286. Epub 2023 Dec 1.

Authors

Kexin Song¹, Wei Jin², Guang Yang², Haichao Zhang², Pingjing Li³, Wei Huang⁴, Zhihua Feng⁵

Affiliations

¹ Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresources and Environment, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang, 222005, PR China; Analytical Instrumentation Center, Institute of Deep-sea Science and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Sanya, 572000, PR China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, PR China.
² Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresources and Environment, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang, 222005, PR China.
³ Analytical Instrumentation Center, Institute of Deep-sea Science and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Sanya, 572000, PR China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, PR China.
⁴ Key Laboratory of Marine Ecosystem and Biogeochemistry, Second Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Hangzhou, 310012, PR China.
⁵ Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresources and Environment, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang, 222005, PR China; Co-Innovation Center of Jiangsu Marine Bio-industry Technology, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang, 222005, PR China; Key Laboratory of Coastal Salt Marsh Ecology and Resources, Ministry of Natural Resources, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang, 222005, PR China. Electronic address: fengzhihua@jou.edu.cn.

PMID: 38109802
DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2023.106286

Abstract

Microplastics (MPs) and fouling organisms are prevalent in oceans worldwide. The study aims to investigate the pollution characteristics of MPs in fouling organisms. The study found significant inter-specific differences in the MPs abundance, while the length of MPs is consistent. The average number of MPs in N. exigua is 0.00 ± 0.00. There is a correlation between MPs abundance and weight in sessile group, while gastropods don't. Direct observation has demonstrated that the radulae of N. radula can envelop MPs. Fiber and blue are the predominant forms and colors of MPs found in fouling organisms. It is noteworthy that all film and fragment MPs observed were of a blue hue and had a size limitation of 500 μm. The characteristics of MPs between sessile organisms are more similar than those between gastropods. This study has improved our understanding of the pollution characteristics of MPs in fouling organisms, specifically gastropods.

Keywords: Fouling organism; Indicator organism; Mariculture area; Marine ecology; Microplastic pollution.

MeSH terms

Aquaculture
Bays
China
Environmental Monitoring
Microplastics*
Plastics
Water Pollutants, Chemical* / analysis

Substances

Microplastics
Plastics
Water Pollutants, Chemical