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Distribution and characteristics of microplastics in 16 benthic organisms in Haizhou Bay, China: Influence of habitat, feeding habits and trophic level
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Researchers examined microplastic contamination in 16 species of bottom-dwelling marine organisms in Haizhou Bay, China, and found plastics in every species tested, averaging about 9 particles per individual. The type of habitat, feeding strategy, and position in the food chain all influenced how much microplastic each species accumulated. The study confirms that benthic organisms are reliable indicators of microplastic pollution and that contamination is at a moderately high level by international standards.
Microplastics (MPs) are widely found in the ocean and cause a serious risk to marine organisms. However, fewer studies have been conducted on benthic organisms. This study conducted a case study on the pollution characteristics of MPs on 16 marine benthic organisms in Haizhou Bay, and analyzed the effects of habitat, trophic level, and feeding mode on the MPs pollution characters. The results showed that MPs were detected in all 16 organisms with an average abundance of 8.84 ± 9.14 items/individual, which is in the middle-high level in the international scale. Among the detected MPs, the main material was cellophane. This study showed that benthic organisms can be used as indicator organisms for MPs pollution. MPs in organisms can be affected by their habitat, trophic level, and feeding mode. Comprehensive analysis of MPs in benthic organisms will contribute to fully understand the characterization and source resolution of MPs pollution.
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