Microplastic accumulation and ecological impacts on benthic invertebrates: Insights from a microcosm experiment

Andrea Augusto Sfriso; Abdul-Salam Juhmani; Yari Tomio; Adriano Sfriso; Flavio Rizzolio; Muhammed Adeel; Mohammad Wahsha; Cristina Munari; Michele Mistri

doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116231

Microplastic accumulation and ecological impacts on benthic invertebrates: Insights from a microcosm experiment

Mar Pollut Bull. 2024 Mar 29:202:116231. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116231. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Andrea Augusto Sfriso¹, Abdul-Salam Juhmani², Yari Tomio³, Adriano Sfriso³, Flavio Rizzolio⁴, Muhammed Adeel⁴, Mohammad Wahsha⁵, Cristina Munari⁶, Michele Mistri⁶

Affiliations

¹ Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara 17, 44121 Ferrara, Italy. Electronic address: sfrndr@unife.it.
² Department of Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, The Hashemite University, Zarqa 13133, Jordan.
³ Department of Environmental Sciences, Informatics and Statistics, Ca'Foscari University of Venice, Via Torino, 155, 30170 Venezia-Mestre, Italy.
⁴ Department of Molecular Sciences and Nanosystems, Ca'Foscari University of Venice, Via Torino 155, 30170 Venezia-Mestre, Italy.
⁵ Marine Science Station, The University of Jordan, Aqaba Branch, Aqaba 77110, Jordan.
⁶ Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara 17, 44121 Ferrara, Italy.

PMID: 38554685
DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116231

Abstract

Microplastic (MP) pollution poses a global concern, especially for benthic invertebrates. This one-month study investigated the accumulation of small MP polymers (polypropylene and polyester resin, 3-500 μm, 250 μg L^-1) in benthic invertebrates and on one alga species. Results revealed species-specific preferences for MP size and type, driven by ingestion, adhesion, or avoidance behaviours. Polyester resin accumulated in Mytilus galloprovincialis, Chamelea gallina, Hexaplex trunculus, and Paranemonia cinerea, while polypropylene accumulated on Ulva rigida. Over time, MP accumulation decreased in count but not size, averaging 6.2 ± 5.0 particles per individual after a month. MP were mainly found inside of the organisms, especially in the gut, gills, and gonads and externally adherent MP ranged from 11 to 35 % of the total. Biochemical energy assessments after two weeks of MP exposure indicated energy gains for water column species but energy loss for sediment-associated species, highlighting the susceptibility of infaunal benthic communities to MP contamination.

Keywords: Community; Energy; Fluorescent; Microcosm; Organs; Polyester; Polypropylene.