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Spatial distribution of microplastics pollution in sediments and surface waters of the Aras River and reservoir: An international river in Northwestern Iran
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Researchers investigated ingestion of microplastics by Antarctic krill, a keystone species in the Southern Ocean food web. Krill readily ingested polystyrene microspheres in laboratory experiments and excreted compacted pellets, suggesting a potential mechanism for transporting microplastics to the deep sea.
Microplastics (MPs) in freshwater environments have been recognized as one of the important sources of plastic contamination in marine ecosystems. Reducing the amount and spatial distribution of MPs reaching the sea through accumulation behind dams remains unclear. In this study we analyzed the spatial distribution of sediment and surface water MPs in the Aras Dam and from nineteen upstream and downstream locations of the Dam in the Aras River. The MPs abundance ranged from 32 to 528 items/kg dry weight (mean 217.8 ± 132.6) and 1 to 43 items/m (mean 12.8 ± 10.5) in the sediment and surface water stations, respectively. MPs abundance in surface waters collected within the Dam reservoir was significantly higher than those found either upstream or downstream (P < 0.05). For sediments, reservoir MPs concentration was generally higher than upstream and downstream, although their differences were not significant. High MPs concentration was observed in the vicinity of urban areas. Moreover, MPs abundance was positively correlated with total organic carbon (TOC) and clay content (P < 0.01). GAM analysis revealed that clay is the most important variable with lowest Akaike information criterion (AIC) and explained 61.3 % of deviance (R-sq.(adj) = 0.344) in MPs abundance. MP particles ranged from 0.1 to 5 mm in size and were dominated by fibers (53.5 %), black color (24 %) and PE polymer (36.6 %). Our results highlight the high MPs distribution in the Aras River and demonstrate that they accumulate in the surface waters behind the Dam. Consequently, the fate and effects of MPs in international rivers is one of the most politicized issues between countries with a common boundary and therefore needs joint management policies that help mitigate this insidious problem.
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Scientists found tiny plastic particles called microplastics inside Antarctic krill, the small shrimp-like creatures that many ocean animals eat. The plastic pollution was widespread across different areas of Antarctica, with larger krill containing more plastic particles than smaller ones. This matters because krill are a key food source in ocean food chains, meaning these plastics could work their way up to fish and other seafood that humans eventually eat.
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Microplastics were quantified in the gut contents of Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) collected from the Southern Ocean, with specimens examined using microscopy and spectroscopy for plastic particle identification. The study provides evidence that a keystone species at the base of the Antarctic food web is ingesting microplastics, with potential implications for polar ecosystem health.
Microplastics in Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) from Antarctic region
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Researchers examined Antarctic krill from two regions of the Southern Ocean and found microplastics in these ecologically critical organisms. The most common particles were fibers, and the polymer types included polyethylene and polyester. Since Antarctic krill are a foundational species in the polar food web, their contamination with microplastics has implications for the broader Antarctic marine ecosystem.
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Researchers used penguin fecal samples collected from three species across the Antarctic Peninsula over seven breeding seasons to assess microplastic ingestion in these seabirds. Finding microplastics in Antarctic penguin feces confirms that plastic pollution has reached even remote polar food webs, with krill serving as a potential pathway for transferring microplastics to penguins.
Enrichment characteristics of microplastics in Antarctic benthic and pelagic fish and krill near the Antarctic Peninsula
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Researchers examined microplastic contamination in 15 species of Antarctic fish and Antarctic krill collected near the Antarctic Peninsula. They found microplastics in all species studied, with fish accumulating significantly more particles than krill, and fibers being the most common type. The study demonstrates that microplastic pollution has reached even the most remote marine ecosystems on Earth.
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