We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Barnacle analysis as a microplastic pollution bioindicator on the East Coast of Surabaya
Summary
A total of 196 microplastic particles were found in barnacles, water, and sediment on the east coast of Surabaya, with barnacles dominated by very small fragments in the 1-10 micron range. Amphibalanus amphitrite was identified as a potential bioindicator species for microplastic monitoring in coastal environments.
A total of 196 microplastic particles were found in barnacles, water, and sediment. The size of microplastics in barnacles, water, and sediment varied, with the size in barnacles dominated by class 1 (1-10 µm), in water by class 2 (10-50 µm), and in sediments by class 3 (50-100 µm). Fragments dominated the shape of microplastics in barnacles, while water and sediment were dominated by fiber. The microplastic color in barnacles, water, and sediment was dominated by blue, and the microplastic polymer composition on barnacles, water, and sediments was dominated by cellophane (36%). Amphibalanus amphitrite was found to be predominant and identified as a potential microplastic bioindicator because it is a cosmopolitan species. Its population was found to correlate positively with cellophane (CP) accumulation. The Pearson's correlation test between barnacle length and microplastic length at a = 0.05 was inversely proportional to r = - 0.411 (p < 0.05), categorized as a strong enough correlation. These findings are essential in developing monitoring programs and mitigating the impact of microplastics on the marine environment.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
DNA barcoding of intertidal barnacles as potential bioindicators of microplastic pollution in Seribu Islands and Jakarta Bay, Indonesia
Researchers used DNA barcoding to identify barnacle species at Indonesian coastal sites and assessed their potential as bioindicators of microplastic pollution. The barnacle Amphibalanus amphitrite accumulated the highest microplastic concentrations (up to 53 particles per gram), making it a strong candidate for monitoring contamination due to its wide distribution and easy identification. This matters because reliable biological sentinels can simplify large-scale tracking of microplastic pollution in coastal ecosystems.
Experimental accumulation of microplastics in acorn barnacle Amphibalanus amphitrite and its use in estimating microplastic concentration in coastal waters
Researchers assessed the potential of acorn barnacles (Amphibalanus amphitrite) as bioindicators for microplastic pollution, finding that these filter feeders accumulate polypropylene fibers and fragments in ways that could help estimate coastal water contamination levels.
Barnacles as potential bioindicator of microplastic pollution in Hong Kong
Researchers examined microplastic occurrence in four barnacle species collected from 30 sites across Hong Kong waters, finding microplastics — predominantly fibers — in all species and proposing barnacles as potential bioindicators of coastal microplastic pollution.
Barnacles as silent sentinels of microplastic pollution: Evidence from Gujarat coast, India and a global meta-analysis of sessile marine species
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.
Non-selective feeding on microplastics in the acorn barnacle Amphibalanus amphitrite: the implications in assessing barnacles as global microplastics bioindicators
Researchers studied microplastic ingestion by striped barnacles (Amphibalanus amphitrite) by exposing them to three plastic types, two sizes, and two concentrations, with and without biofilm coatings. Barnacles ingested microplastics non-selectively regardless of type or biofilm status, confirming them as useful bioindicators of plastic pollution in marine environments.