Distribution and characteristics of microplastics in 16 benthic organisms in Haizhou Bay, China: Influence of habitat, feeding habits and trophic level

Siqi Xie; Kexin Song; Shiwei Liu; You Li; Jiaxuan Wang; Wei Huang; Zhihua Feng

doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115962

Distribution and characteristics of microplastics in 16 benthic organisms in Haizhou Bay, China: Influence of habitat, feeding habits and trophic level

Mar Pollut Bull. 2024 Feb:199:115962. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115962. Epub 2023 Dec 28.

Authors

Siqi Xie¹, Kexin Song², Shiwei Liu¹, You Li¹, Jiaxuan Wang¹, Wei Huang³, Zhihua Feng⁴

Affiliations

¹ Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresources and Environment, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang 222005, PR China.
² 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.
³ Key Laboratory of Marine Ecosystem and Biogeochemistry, Second Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Hangzhou 310012, PR China.
⁴ 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: 38157831
DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115962

Abstract

Microplastics (MPs) are widely found in the ocean and cause a serious risk to marine organisms. However, fewer studies have been conducted on benthic organisms. This study conducted a case study on the pollution characteristics of MPs on 16 marine benthic organisms in Haizhou Bay, and analyzed the effects of habitat, trophic level, and feeding mode on the MPs pollution characters. The results showed that MPs were detected in all 16 organisms with an average abundance of 8.84 ± 9.14 items/individual, which is in the middle-high level in the international scale. Among the detected MPs, the main material was cellophane. This study showed that benthic organisms can be used as indicator organisms for MPs pollution. MPs in organisms can be affected by their habitat, trophic level, and feeding mode. Comprehensive analysis of MPs in benthic organisms will contribute to fully understand the characterization and source resolution of MPs pollution.

Keywords: Benthic organisms; Feeding mode; Habitat; Microplastics; Trophic level.

MeSH terms

Aquatic Organisms
Bays
China
Ecosystem
Environmental Monitoring
Habits
Microplastics* / analysis
Plastics / analysis
Water Pollutants, Chemical* / analysis

Substances

Microplastics
Plastics
Water Pollutants, Chemical