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A baseline characterization of microplastic occurrence in the water column and zooplankton and ichthyoplankton of Saint John Harbour, New Brunswick
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Scientists found tiny plastic bits and fibers in seawater and inside baby fish and zooplankton in a Canadian harbor, the building blocks of ocean food chains. Since these tiny fish are eaten by bigger fish that humans eat, this research helps track how much plastic may be entering our seafood over time.
Microplastics (MPs) are ubiquitous in the ocean. Regional assessments are necessary to characterize baseline MP levels, to monitor temporal change, and evaluate ecological risk. We conducted a multi-year survey of MPs present in seawater and ingested by zooplankton and ichthyoplankton in Saint John Harbour, Bay of Fundy, Canada. Microlitter was found in all seawater samples and ingested by 94% of zooplankton taxa. The majority of microlitter particles found were blue or black fibres. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis showed that 62% of particles were cellulose, while only 18% were classified as MPs. Larval fish species had some of the highest MP encounter rates. Of the copepod taxa, Calanus sp. had the highest MP encounter rate. This study is the first to characterize MPs and other microlitter in the water column and zooplankton community in Saint John Harbour and serves as a baseline to which further analyses can be compared.
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Researchers assessed size-based microplastic exposure and ingestion pathways in zooplankton and larval Pacific herring in British Columbia's coastal waters, finding evidence of both direct consumption and trophic transfer of microplastics through the pelagic food web.
A Quantitative Baseline Survey of the Ichthyoplankton, Invertebrate Zooplankton and Microplastics in Saint John Harbour
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This study collected baseline data on ichthyoplankton, invertebrate zooplankton, and microplastics in Saint John Harbour, New Brunswick, as part of Canada's Oceans Protection Plan. Microplastic analysis of selected zooplankton samples using FTIR revealed contamination across the harbour, with data recorded on colour, type, and size of particles.
From freshwaters to bivalves: Microplastic distribution along the Saint-Lawrence river-to-sea continuum
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Researchers traced microplastic distribution along the Saint-Lawrence River-to-sea continuum, finding both large and small microplastics in surface water and marine bivalves, with concentrations and polymer types varying between freshwater and estuarine environments.
Pervasive occurrence of microplastics in Hudson-Raritan estuary zooplankton
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Researchers found microplastics in the majority of zooplankton samples collected across the Hudson-Raritan estuary, with fibers being the most prevalent particle type, indicating that estuarine zooplankton are extensively exposed to microplastic contamination and represent a pathway for plastic entry into the food web.
Low incidence of plastic ingestion among three fish species significant for human consumption on the island of Newfoundland, Canada
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This study reported the first baselines of plastic ingestion in Atlantic cod, Atlantic salmon, and capelin from Newfoundland, Canada, finding a low but nonzero frequency of plastic ingestion in these commercially important fish. The data provides a starting point for tracking future changes in microplastic exposure in North Atlantic food fish.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.