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Comparative microplastic load in two decapod crustaceans Palinurus elephas (Fabricius, 1787) and Nephrops norvegicus (Linnaeus, 1758)
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Researchers compared microplastic contamination in two crustacean species, the European spiny lobster and the langoustine, collected from waters off Sardinia, Italy. The study found 100% microplastic occurrence in specimens of both species, with spiny lobsters being significantly more contaminated, and the scavenging-based feeding strategy of both species likely explaining their high exposure to microplastics derived primarily from single-use plastics.
The present work compares microplastics (MPs) contamination in two charismatic crustaceans: European spiny lobster Palinurus elephas and langoustine Nephrops norvegicus. Samples (P. elephas n = 14; N. norvegicus n = 15) were collected between 76 and 592 m depth, from four sites in west Sardinia, Italy. An extraction protocol was applied on stomachs and intestines, separately, and over 500 particles were further characterized through μFT-IR. We document 100 % occurrence in specimens from both species, with P. elephas being significantly more contaminated (9.1 ± 1.75 vs. 3.2 ± 0.45 MPs individual), ingesting larger MPs with different polymeric composition. The scavenging-based feeding strategy of both species could explain such exposure to MPs, mostly derived by single-use plastic. The overall results highlight that both species are clearly affected by plastic pollution, being valuable bioindicators and charismatic species that could thus represent excellent flagship species for raising awareness toward the global issue of plastic in the marine environment.
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MPs and NPs intake and heavy metals accumulation in tissues of Palinurus elephas (J.C. Fabricius, 1787), from NW Aegean sea, Greece
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Researchers extracted 4,102 plastic particles from the stomach tissues of 63 European spiny lobsters collected from the NW Aegean Sea, with 95.2% of individuals containing plastic and counts ranging from 20 to 273 particles per individual. Fragments dominated at 98.3%, and heavy metals were also elevated in tissues, suggesting dual contamination pathways.
Microplastics in the crustaceans Nephrops norvegicus and Aristeus antennatus: Flagship species for deep-sea environments?
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Researchers found microplastics in 83% of Norwegian lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) and the majority of shrimp (Aristeus antennatus) collected from deep-sea sites around Sardinia at depths of 270-660 m, identifying over 2000 microplastic-like particles by μFT-IR, suggesting deep-sea crustaceans could serve as flagship indicators of microplastic contamination.
Comparative assessment of microplastic ingestion among deep sea decapods: Distribution analysis in Sardinian and Catalan waters
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Researchers examined microplastic ingestion in four species of deep-sea shrimp and lobster from the Mediterranean Sea, finding that nearly 73% of the animals had consumed microplastics. Fiber-shaped microplastics were by far the most common type found, and contamination levels varied between species and regions. The study shows that even deep-sea crustaceans consumed by humans are exposed to significant microplastic pollution.
Plastics, prawns, and patterns: Microplastic loadings in Nephrops norvegicus and surrounding habitat in the North East Atlantic.
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Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) and surrounding habitat in the North East Atlantic were sampled for microplastics, and both the organisms and their environment contained plastic contamination. Microplastic presence in Norway lobster, a commercially important seafood species, raises concerns about human dietary exposure. The species' burrowing behavior and position in the food chain make it a useful bioindicator of seafloor plastic pollution.
Quantification of microplastic ingestion by the decapod crustacean Nephrops norvegicus from Irish waters
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Researchers examined microplastic ingestion in 150 Norway lobsters collected from five Irish fishing grounds. About 69% of the animals had ingested microplastics, averaging 1.75 items per individual, with fibers accounting for 98% of particles found. The study estimates that human exposure to microplastics through Irish seafood consumption could range from 15 to 4,471 particles per year.
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