We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Zooplankton exposure to microplastic contamination in a estuarine plume-influenced region, in Northeast Brazil
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers examined microplastic contamination in estuarine plume waters off the coast of northeastern Brazil and its relationship with zooplankton. The study found significantly higher microplastic abundance during the high rainfall season, with fibers and fragments being the dominant types, and elevated concentrations in river plume areas compared to reef-adjacent waters, indicating land-based sources as major contributors.
This work describes the spatio-temporal distribution of suspected plastic and microplastic (MP) particles in estuarine plumes and analyzes the microplastic/zooplankton ratio. Subsurface hauls with a conical-cylindrical net were deployed in the coastal area of Tamandare (Pernambuco, Brazil), covering the plume of two rivers and a bay adjacent to coral reefs. A total of 2079 suspected plastic particles were detected, mostly fibers and fragments (>60%). Organic matter digestion was made using a 30% hydrogen peroxide solution, of which approximately 50% of suspected particles were validated as MPs. The average MP abundance was significantly higher during the high rainfall season (53.8 ± 89.6 and 18.8 ± 32.3 particles/m³, respectively), with higher values registered in the plume area (108.9 ± 158.5 and 44.6 ± 55.5 particles/m³). Polymer identification using FT-IR confirmed that suspected particles were mainly polypropylene, polyamide, and polyurethane. These results confirm the hypothesis of a temporal transport variation of MPs from the river to the coastal environments, particularly since the plume influences debris input. Eleven animal phyla were identified, and the subclass Copepoda was predominant (90%), particularly the nauplius stage (70%). Over 70% of verified MPs range between 20 and 2000 μm, equivalent to the most common size of zooplanktonic organisms. Results support that coastal areas near estuarine plumes are exposed to microplastic contamination, affecting species dependent on zooplankton in marine coastal food webs.
More Papers Like This
Assessing Microplastic Contamination in Zooplanktonic Organisms from Two River Estuaries
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers assessed microplastic contamination in zooplankton sampled from two river estuaries, finding microplastics in a significant proportion of individual organisms from both sites. Fibre shapes dominated ingested plastics, and contamination levels were higher in the more urbanized estuary, indicating that land-based pollution inputs drive microplastic exposure in estuarine zooplankton.
Spatio-seasonal microplastics distribution along a shallow coastal lagoon ecocline within a marine conservation unit
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers conducted monthly sampling along a shallow coastal lagoon ecocline in a Brazilian marine conservation unit and found seasonal variation in microplastic abundance driven by rainfall and river inputs, with polyethylene and polypropylene fibers and fragments dominating the samples.
Microplastic ingestion by zooplankton in surf zone waters of sandy beaches: Are copepods potential reservoirs of these emerging pollutants?
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers investigated microplastic ingestion by tiny zooplankton species in the surf zone of Atlantic beaches in southern Brazil. They found microplastics in the water at concentrations up to 1,750 items per cubic meter, with fibers being the most common type, and confirmed that copepods were ingesting these particles. The study suggests that zooplankton in turbulent nearshore waters may act as reservoirs that introduce microplastics into marine food webs.
Influence of biological, ecological, and anthropogenic factors on microplastic contamination in coastal fishes from Southeastern Brazil
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers analyzed four commercially important fish species from two bays of contrasting human impact in southeastern Brazil, finding microplastics in 83.1% of individuals with blue microfibers predominating, and determined that anthropogenic pressure and summer seasonality — not habitat type or body size — were the strongest predictors of contamination levels.
Microplastics ingestion in zooplankton in tropical estuarine fronts of Terengganu, Malaysia
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers surveyed microplastic ingestion by zooplankton in a tropical estuary in Terengganu, Malaysia, sampling across plume, front, and shelf zones during monsoon season. They found that zooplankton across all zones had ingested microplastics, with fibers being the most common type detected. The findings highlight the risk of microplastic trophic transfer through the marine food chain starting at the zooplankton level in productive tropical estuaries.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.