We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Anthropogenic pollutants in Nephrops norvegicus (Linnaeus, 1758) from the NW Mediterranean Sea: Uptake assessment and potential impact on health
Summary
Researchers examined Norway lobsters from the northwest Mediterranean and found plastic fibers in 85% of their stomachs, with higher counts near Barcelona, though the levels did not appear to cause measurable health damage — suggesting lobsters are ingesting microplastics from surrounding water but that tissue metal levels remain safe for human consumption.
Anthropogenic pollution is considered one of the main threats to the marine environment, and there is an imperious need to assess its potential impact on ecologically and economically relevant species. This study characterises plastic ingestion and tissue levels of potentially toxic metallic elements in Nephrops norvegicus and their simultaneous levels in abiotic compartments from three locations of the Catalan coast (NW Mediterranean Sea). A multidisciplinary assessment of the health condition of N. norvegicus through condition indices, enzymatic biomarkers and histological techniques is provided, and its relationship with anthropogenic pollutant levels explored. Plastic fibres were commonly found in stomachs of N. norvegicus (85% of the individuals), with higher abundances (13 ± 21 fibres · ind-1) in specimens captured close to Barcelona. The presence of long synthetic fibres in near-bottom waters, as well as the mirroring trends in abundance among locations for water and ingested plastics, suggest that uptake from water may be occurring potentially through suspension feeding. The spatial variability in the levels of metallic elements in N. norvegicus was poorly correlated to the variability in sediments. In any case, present levels in abdominal muscle are considered safe for human consumption. Levels of ingested plastics only showed significant, yet weak, correlations with glutathione S-transferase and catalase activities. However, no other health parameter analysed showed any trend potentially associated to anthropogenic pollutant levels. Neither the condition indices nor the histopathological assessment evidenced any signs of pathologic conditions affecting N. norvegicus. Thus, it was concluded that presently there is no evidence of a negative impact of the studied pollutants on the health condition of N. norvegicus in the studied grounds.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Quantification of microplastic ingestion by the decapod crustacean Nephrops norvegicus from Irish waters
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.
Microplastic quantification in Nephrops norvegicus and relationship with body condition and biomarker response in the NW Mediterranean Sea
This conference abstract reports on microplastic quantities found in Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) from the NW Mediterranean and investigates whether microplastic ingestion correlates with the animals' body condition or biomarker stress responses. The study contributes to understanding sublethal effects of microplastics in commercially fished crustaceans.
Preliminary results on the occurrence and anatomical distribution of microplastics in wild populations of Nephrops norvegicus from the Adriatic Sea
Researchers examined microplastics in three tissue compartments of Norway lobster from the Adriatic Sea, finding an average of 17 MPs per individual, with fragments predominating and the hepatopancreas accumulating the highest concentration of fragment-type particles.
Plastics, prawns, and patterns: Microplastic loadings in Nephrops norvegicus and surrounding habitat in the North East Atlantic.
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.
Bioaccumulation of PCBs from microplastics in Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus): An experimental study
Researchers fed PCB-loaded microplastics to Norway lobsters in controlled laboratory experiments to test whether ingested microplastics can transfer adsorbed pollutants to animal tissues. They assessed bioaccumulation of PCBs in lobster tissues following exposure through the dietary microplastic pathway. The study contributes experimental evidence to the ongoing debate about whether microplastics act as meaningful vectors for transferring persistent organic pollutants to marine organisms.