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Bioindicator species of plastic toxicity in tropical environments
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This research analyzed microplastic contamination in fish from the deep Mediterranean Sea collected by deep-sea trawling. Microplastics were found in the stomachs of fish from depths exceeding 1000 meters, indicating that deep-sea species are not immune to plastic pollution even in their remote habitat.
In French Polynesia, pearl farming represents the second economic resource of the country. The distinctive black pearls produced there are globally recognized and appreciated. However, pearl farms extensively use submerged plastic materials. Through gas chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry detection (GC/MSMS) analysis, we were able to identify various POPs (Persistent Organic Pollutants) and additives released after 24 h of leaching into seawater from these "pearl plastics" composed of PE (Polyethylene) and PP (Polypropylene). Subsequently, we tested different concentrations of this plastic leachate on five tropical species commonly raised in the pearl and aquaculture sector in Polynesia: Pinctada margaritifera, Saccostrea cucullata, Holothuria whitmaei, Litopenaeus stylirostris, and Tripneustes gratilla. Monitoring the embryo-larval development of these organisms allowed us to establish a correlation between the decrease in the percentage of normal larvae and the plastic concentration. Through the use of regression models, the EC50 (Effective Concentration) of the plastic leachate for each species was determined, and demonstrated to range from 6.6 to 71.5 g/L, depending on the species. The most sensitive species was the black teatfish Holothuria whitmaei, a tropical sea cucumber used for the first time for ecotoxicological tests. The sensitivity of this species, its large distribution in tropical areas, and the various advantages presented by its cultivation make it an interesting bio-indicator species for monitoring plastic pollution in tropical lagoons.
More Papers Like This
Recherche D’especes Bioindicatrices De La Pollution Plastique Dans Un Contexte Perlicole En Polynesie Française
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Researchers investigated bioindicator species for plastic pollution in the context of pearl aquaculture in French Polynesia, where the shift from natural to plastic materials since the 1990s has introduced large quantities of plastics into lagoon environments with inadequate waste management. The study identified candidate organisms that accumulate or respond to plastic contamination in pearl farm settings, offering a biological monitoring tool for this economically significant and ecologically sensitive coastal industry.
Chemical toxicity of leachates from synthetic and natural-based spat collectors on the embryo-larval development of the pearl oyster, Pinctada margaritifera
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This study assessed the chemical toxicity of leachates from conventional shade-mesh and three alternative spat collector materials on pearl oyster (Pinctada margaritifera) embryo-larval development in French Polynesia. A newly developed biomaterial (BioM) showed the lowest levels of chemical pollutants and no toxic effects at environmentally relevant concentrations, identifying it as a promising environmentally friendly alternative to conventional plastic shade-mesh collectors.
Microplastics contamination in pearl-farming lagoons of French Polynesia
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Microplastic contamination was documented in pearl-farming lagoons of French Polynesia, establishing a pollution baseline for these economically important tropical ecosystems and identifying local aquaculture activities as a contributing source.
Evaluation of Microplastics Ingested by Sea Cucumber Holothuria Scabra from Pulau Jambongan, Sabah
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Researchers found 7,403 microplastic particles in the digestive tracts of 30 sea cucumbers (Holothuria scabra) collected from a Malaysian island, with 99% being fibers and the dominant polymer being polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). The high contamination level indicates significant marine pollution in the region and shows that bottom-dwelling sea cucumbers — which process large volumes of sediment — are especially exposed to microplastic accumulation. This is relevant to seafood safety since sea cucumbers are commercially harvested for human consumption.
Pearl farming micro-nanoplastics affect both oyster physiology and pearl quality
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Pearl oysters (Pinctada margaritifera) in French Polynesia were exposed to micro-nanoplastics derived from actual farming equipment over a five-month production cycle, and the plastics disrupted the oysters' energy metabolism and altered the crystal structure of growing pearls. The study demonstrates that microplastic contamination in lagoons poses a real economic threat to the pearl industry alongside its ecological impacts.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.