Use of estuarine resources by top predator fishes. How do ecological patterns affect rates of contamination by microplastics?

Guilherme V B Ferreira; Mário Barletta; André R A Lima

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.11.229

Use of estuarine resources by top predator fishes. How do ecological patterns affect rates of contamination by microplastics?

Sci Total Environ. 2019 Mar 10:655:292-304. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.11.229. Epub 2018 Nov 16.

Authors

Guilherme V B Ferreira¹, Mário Barletta², André R A Lima¹

Affiliations

¹ Laboratory of Ecology and Management of Coastal and Estuarine Ecosystems, Department of Oceanography, Federal University of Pernambuco (UFPE), Av. Arquitetura S/N, Cidade Universitária, Recife, Pernambuco 50740-550, Brazil.
² Laboratory of Ecology and Management of Coastal and Estuarine Ecosystems, Department of Oceanography, Federal University of Pernambuco (UFPE), Av. Arquitetura S/N, Cidade Universitária, Recife, Pernambuco 50740-550, Brazil. Electronic address: barletta@ufpe.br.

PMID: 30471597
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.11.229

Abstract

This study assessed the seasonal patterns of habitat utilization, feeding ecology and microplastic contamination in different ontogenetic phases of sympatric snooks (Centropomus undecimalis and C. mexicanus) inhabiting a tropical estuary. More than 50% of snooks, in all ontogenetic phases, ingested microplastics (1.5 ± 0.1 and 1.4 ± 0.1 particles ind^-1). Juveniles migrated to nursery grounds in the upper estuary, during the early dry (C. undecimalis 6.5 ± 2.8 ind^-1) (p < 0.01) and early rainy seasons (C. mexicanus 4.1 ± 1.9 ind^-1). There, they fed mostly on invertebrates (Polychaeta) (p < 0.01), and became contaminated by microplastics (C. undecimalis: 0.8 ± 0.4 particles ind^-1; C. mexicanus: 1.7 ± 0.5 particles ind^-1). Sub-adults of both species forage principally in the estuarine habitats after shifting their diet from invertebrates (shrimps) in the upper reaches (1806.4 ± 1729.6 mg ind^-1) to pelagic fishes (R. bahiensis) in seaward habitats (2507.7 ± 1758.4 mg ind^-1). During feeding continues the contamination by microplastics (3.1 ± 0.8 part. ind^-1). Adults use the adjacent coastal as feeding and spawning grounds during the rainy season. In this phase, snooks are mostly piscivorous (R. bahiensis: up to 5303.8 ± 3213.4 mg ind^-1), but also ingest penaeid shrimp as complementary item (up to 175.9 ± 156.7). Microplastics contamination rates increased towards the adult phase, with maximum contamination coinciding with peaks of fish ingestion, suggesting trophic transfer of microplastics. The lower estuary and adjacent coastal zone were important contamination sites, especially during the rainy season (up to 3.1 ± 0.8 part. ind^-1) (p < 0.01), when fishery activities is intense and river basin runoff increases. Consequently, the availability of microplastics is higher during this time of year in the lower portion of the estuary. Snooks had similar prey preferences, but the use of different habitats along the life cycle of each species avoids overlaps in estuarine use and minimizes competition.

Keywords: Estuarine ecocline; Feeding ecology; Habitat use; Life cycle; Marine pollution; Synthetic fibres.

MeSH terms

Animals
Brazil
Environmental Monitoring / methods*
Estuaries*
Feeding Behavior / physiology*
Fisheries
Fishes / growth & development*
Fishes / physiology
Life Cycle Stages
Plastics / analysis*
Rain
Seasons
Water Pollutants, Chemical / analysis*

Substances

Plastics
Water Pollutants, Chemical