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Barnacles as silent sentinels of microplastic pollution: Evidence from Gujarat coast, India and a global meta-analysis of sessile marine species
Summary
This study found microplastics in all eight barnacle species sampled across 13 coastal sites in Gujarat, India, with fibers and fragments of polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene predominating. A global meta-analysis confirmed that sessile marine organisms like barnacles serve as reliable bioindicators of local microplastic contamination levels.
Microplastics (MPs) are persistent marine pollutants that accumulate in aquatic life and harm ecosystems. This research investigates the suitability of barnacle species as bioindicators of microplastic pollution along coastal regions of Gujarat state, India. Specimens of 8 barnacle species were collected from 13 different sampling sites of Gujarat state, along with sediment and water samples. A total of 484, 491 and 725 MPs were extracted from barnacle, water, and sediment, respectively, with the highest abundance recorded at Shivrajpur. MPs pollution was observed highest in Chthamalus barnesi while lowest in Megabalanus tintinnabulum. MPs abundance varied significantly between study sites and species of barnacles. Fibers was found predominantly with blue, and 1-2 mm sized MPs pollution showed in all metrices. ATR-FTIR identified 7 polymers, mainly polypropylene and polyethylene. Pollution indices revealed severe microplastic pollution at multiple coastal sites. In the global meta-analysis, a total of 80 articles related to MP pollution in sessile organisms published from 2013 to 2024 were used. In different sessile organisms, the sponge Crella affinis showed highest pollution, while the bivalve Mytilus galloprovincialis showed lowest pollution. Fiber was the most dominant shape, with 0.5-1 mm sizes and blue, red, and black colours, with polyethylene (PE) as the most common polymer. The MP abundance in barnacles, water and sediment varied according to the anthropogenic activities being carried out at different study sites. Therefore, barnacles serve as excellent bioindicators of microplastic pollution in the coastal areas of Gujarat state, India.