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Monitoring plastics in the Mediterranean Sea with an emerging commercial species, the deep-water rose shrimp (Parapenaeus longirostris).
Summary
Researchers monitored microplastic contamination in deep-sea crustaceans from the Mediterranean Sea, including Aristeus antennatus and Nephrops norvegicus, to assess plastic pollution in commercial fishing species. Both species were found to contain microplastics, indicating contamination reaches deep-water habitats used by commercially exploited stocks.
Microplastic (MP) pollution is currently one of the most concerning threats to marine wildlife. Several studies have been conducted on its detection on a wide range of organisms, including decapod crustaceans such as Aristeus antennatus and Nephrops norvegicus, which have highlighted their potential as indicators of plastic pollution. However, limited attention has been given to the deep-water rose shrimp (Parapenaeus longirostris), a Mediterranean crustacean with increasing ecological and commercial value. The present study aims to analyse variations in MP ingestion in P. longirostris throughout the year, as well as potential effects on their health status in the Mediterranean Sea. Individuals were collected bimonthly over the course of a year off the coast of Barcelona at depths of 200-500m. The digestive contents of shrimps were examined to detect the presence of plastic fibres and balls (tangled fibres), which were characterized using optical microscopy and FTIR spectroscopy. The prevalence of MP was high, with over 80 Also see: https://micro2024.sciencesconf.org/558825/document
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