We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Investigating a probable relationship between the distribution of microplastics and crab burrows in the intertidal zone of Chongming Island, Yangtze Estuary
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers investigated the relationship between crab burrow distribution and microplastic accumulation in intertidal sediments of Chongming Island, finding that crab bioturbation activity influenced the spatial distribution of microplastics, suggesting that benthic fauna behavior plays an underappreciated role in microplastic redistribution.
Crab burrows are common biogeomorphic structures in the sedimentary environment of the intertidal zone. Existing studies have revealed crab burrows could function as traps and sinks for fine sediment particles and organic detritus transported by the overlying water. However, it was unknown whether the distribution of microplastics was related to crab burrows. To build on past work, we investigated the distribution characteristics of microplastics and crab burrows in the intertidal zone of Chongming Island and explored the probable relationship between them. The detection rate and abundance of microplastics in burrows were higher than in no-burrowing areas, indicating that crab burrow have a trapping function for microplastics. Crab burrows also increased the abundance and detection rate of microplastics in the deeper sediment layer, rather than just the surface layer. Furthermore, microplastics were more abundant in large burrows than in small burrows. The microplastics in the large burrow were significantly smaller in size than those in the small burrows and no-burrowing area. The abundance of microplastics positively correlated with the area occupied by burrows in the majority of study sites. Our findings provide a new perspective for exploring the transport and migration of the microplastics between the sediment and water column in the intertidal zone. Further controlled experiments should be carried to investigate the source-sink effects of crab bioturbation in the intertidal flat on microplastics.
More Papers Like This
Microplastic contamination in the dominant crabs at the intertidal zone of Chongming Island, Yangtze Estuary
AI summary Read the abstract
This study investigated microplastic contamination in dominant intertidal crabs (Chiromantes dehaani) at Chongming Island in the Yangtze Estuary, finding widespread microplastic ingestion in a species whose burrowing and bioturbation behaviors may redistribute plastics in sediment.
Fate of microplastics among estuarine habitats utilized by intertidal crabs
AI summary Read the abstract
A study of microplastic distribution across different estuarine habitats found that concentrations and types varied substantially depending on whether samples came from sediment surfaces, burrows of intertidal crabs, or surrounding water. Crabs actively redistributed sediment and created habitat structures that accumulated microplastics differently from the surrounding environment. The findings demonstrate that bioturbation by animals plays an important role in determining where microplastics end up in estuarine sediments.
Can fiddler crab bioturbation activity in situ modify the distribution of microplastics in sediments and the influence on their bioaccumulation?
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers examined fiddler crab (Minuca rapax) bioturbation in mangrove sediments of the southern Gulf of Mexico, finding that crab burrowing activity concentrated microplastics in burrow sediments and that the characteristics of microplastics ingested by the crabs reflected those found in burrows, with the degree of bioturbation-driven MP concentration varying with local urbanization levels.
Can the bioturbation activity of the fiddler crab Minuca rapax modify the distribution of microplastics in sediments?
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers investigated whether the bioturbation activity of the fiddler crab Minuca rapax can modify the distribution of microplastics in sediments along an urbanization gradient in the Gulf of Mexico. The study compared microplastic concentrations between burrows, feeding pellets, and crab tissues, finding that microplastics were more abundant and diverse in burrows. Evidence indicates that fiddler crab burrowing and feeding behaviors actively redistribute microplastics within coastal sediments.
Distribution characteristics of microplastics and corresponding feeding habits of the dominant shrimps in the rivers of Chongming Island
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers investigated spatial-temporal distribution of microplastics in rivers and dominant shrimp species on Chongming Island, revealing correlations between microplastic contamination patterns and shrimp feeding habits.
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.