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Impact of mangrove restoration on microplastic bioaccumulation in fiddler crabs across degraded, restored, and natural ecosystems
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Researchers compared microplastic accumulation in fiddler crabs across degraded, restored, and natural mangrove ecosystems in the Southern Gulf of Mexico. They found that mangrove restoration influenced the amount and types of microplastics that accumulated in the crabs and surrounding sediment. The study suggests that restoring mangrove habitats may help reduce microplastic exposure for the organisms living within them.
Understanding the role of mangroves in microplastic (MPs) bioaccumulation is crucial to addressing the pollution in these ecosystems, particularly in restored areas. Here, we 1) evaluate the MPs plastic-biota-sediment accumulation factor (pBSAf) in the fiddler crab Minuca rapax and 2) describe MPs type, colour, and polymeric characteristics in areas with varying restoration and degradation levels in the Southern Gulf of Mexico. We used regression models to evaluate the role of mangrove tree height, basal area, and crab individuals' density in explaining pBSAf. The highest pBSAf values were observed in natural and restored mangrove areas, particularly those with higher crab densities and taller trees. MPs were more diverse in composition in both crabs and sediments from natural areas. Mangrove biota tissue's bioaccumulation may provide insights into ecosystem health and food web impacts and indicate restoration progress.
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Fiddler crabs (Tubuca arcuata) as bioindicators of microplastic pollution in mangrove sediments
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Researchers used fiddler crabs as bioindicators of microplastic pollution in mangrove sediments, finding that crab tissue microplastic loads correlated with sediment contamination levels and reflected spatial differences in pollution across mangrove sites.
Can fiddler crab bioturbation activity in situ modify the distribution of microplastics in sediments and the influence on their bioaccumulation?
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Researchers examined fiddler crab (Minuca rapax) bioturbation in mangrove sediments of the southern Gulf of Mexico, finding that crab burrowing activity concentrated microplastics in burrow sediments and that the characteristics of microplastics ingested by the crabs reflected those found in burrows, with the degree of bioturbation-driven MP concentration varying with local urbanization levels.
Ecological interception effect of mangroves on microplastics
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Researchers found that mangroves act as an ecological barrier intercepting microplastics, with MP abundance decreasing from river inputs toward the ocean, demonstrating the role of mangrove ecosystems in filtering plastic pollution before it reaches open waters.
Assessing the presence of microplastics in fiddler crabs (Afruca tangeri) and sediments of the salt marshes of Cadiz Bay (Spain).
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Researchers assessed microplastic contamination in fiddler crabs and surrounding coastal sediments, finding plastic particles in both organisms and their habitat. The results demonstrate that microplastics are integrated into coastal invertebrate food webs through both direct ingestion and sediment contact.
Ecological traits influence the bioaccumulation of microplastics in commercially important estuarine crabs from the southeastern Gulf of Mexico
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Researchers found that microplastic accumulation in two commercially important estuarine crab species in the Gulf of Mexico varied significantly based on ecological traits such as feeding behavior and habitat use, with gills and digestive tracts showing higher contamination than muscle tissue.
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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.