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Assessing anthropogenic pollution in an oriented nature reserve using Anemonia viridis as a bioindicator
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Researchers evaluated the Mediterranean snakelocks anemone Anemonia viridis as a bioindicator of coastal plastic pollution in a protected Italian nature reserve, detecting anthropogenic microparticles — predominantly fibres including PET and cellulose acetate — in nearly 90% of specimens, including surface-adhered and ingested particles, raising concern given this species is consumed in some local communities.
In this study, the feasibility of using the Mediterranean snakelocks anemone Anemonia viridis to monitor anthropogenic microparticles (APs) was evaluated for the first time at two sites within an Oriented Nature Reserve in the Mediterranean Sea (Italy): Faro Lake and Beach Rock (Capo Peloro). Both surface-adhered and ingested APs were isolated and characterized by size, shape, colour, and polymer type using micro-Raman and FT-IR spectroscopy. Also the risk assessment was performed to evaluate the ecological and health implications. Overall, 191 APs were detected (mean 5.30 items/specimen; 0.70 items/g; frequency of occurrence (FO%) 88.89%. Fibres (90.58%) were the predominant shape. Among identified APs (n = 88), cotton (28.41%), polyethylene terephthalate (PET; 14.77%), and cellulose acetate (12.50%) were the most prevalent. A. viridis is a sensitive bioindicator, reflecting local pollution profiles and providing a valuable tool for coastal plastic monitoring and management. Furthermore, the detection of APs in A. viridis, a species traditionally consumed in certain Mediterranean coastal communities (e.g., fried or in soups), raises potential concerns regarding human dietary exposure to microplastics and associated toxicological risks during cooking processes.
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Uptake of microplastics by the snakelocks anemone (Anemonia viridis) is commonplace across environmental conditions
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The snakelocks anemone (Anemonia viridis) was found to ingest microplastics under a range of environmental conditions in both laboratory and field settings, suggesting that uptake is a common occurrence rather than an exceptional event. The findings point to anthozoans like sea anemones and corals as consistently exposed to plastic particles in coastal waters.
The sea anemone Bunodosoma cangicum as a potential biomonitor for microplastics contamination on the Brazilian Amazon coast
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Researchers documented for the first time microplastic ingestion in the sea anemone Bunodosoma cangicum on the Brazilian Amazon coast, finding plastic particles in 75.6% of 90 individuals examined, with fibers comprising 84% of ingested items. Ingestion rates were significantly higher at more urbanized and populous sampling sites, suggesting the species as a potential biomonitor for coastal microplastic contamination.
Beadlet anemone: A novel bio-indicator of microplastic pollution in the marine environment
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This study proposes sea anemones as a new bioindicator species for monitoring microplastic pollution in marine environments, finding that anemones accumulate smaller microplastics (under 0.5 mm) and a wider diversity of polymer types than the surrounding water or sediment at the same locations. Six different polymer types were identified in anemones versus fewer in sediment and water, suggesting these sessile filter feeders efficiently concentrate microplastics from their immediate environment. Using sea anemones offers a relatively fast and reliable approach to characterizing microplastic contamination in coastal marine ecosystems.
Phthalate levels in common sea anemone Actinia equina and Anemonia viridis: A proxy of short-term microplastic interaction?
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Researchers measured phthalate concentrations in two sea anemone species (Actinia equina and Anemonia viridis) as a proxy for short-term microplastic contamination in marine environments, where direct microplastic measurement can be challenging. The study evaluated whether anemones could serve as reliable bioindicators of local plastic pollution.
Microplastic pollution in the littoral environment: insights from the largest Mediterranean Sabellaria spinulosa (Annelida) reef and shoreface sediments
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Researchers measured microplastic concentrations in and around a rare Mediterranean bioconstruction reef — the largest Sabellaria spinulosa polychaete reef in the Mediterranean — along the southern Adriatic coast of Italy. The western side of the site had significantly higher microplastic levels, driven by coastal currents rather than the reef-building activity itself, with PET fibers as the dominant type. The findings reveal that polychaete reefs act as temporary microplastic traps, accumulating contamination in ways that could harm these fragile and ecologically important benthic habitats.
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