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Can fiddler crab bioturbation activity in situ modify the distribution of microplastics in sediments and the influence on their bioaccumulation?
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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.
Fiddler crabs are known as “eco-engineers” who maintain habitat health through sediment bioturbation, being able to interact with microplastics (MP) due to their daily contact with the sediment. Here, we evaluated MP contamination in mangrove substrates in Isla del Carmen, southern Gulf of Mexico, comparing MP content between burrows and pellets resulting from bioturbation and MP bioaccumulation in the soft tissues of the Minuca rapax. In general, MP was more abundant and diverse in burrow sediment than in pellets, however, in less urbanized sites (< amount of MP), pellets seem to concentrate more MP than burrows. The MP characteristics in the pellet and in the tissues reflected those of the burrows. Bioturbation concentrated MP in pellets and tissues, depending on how urbanized the area is, showing a strong top-down effect of MP in subtropical tidal flats. M. rapax is an important structuring agent of sedimentary MP in subtropical tidal flats.
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Can the bioturbation activity of the fiddler crab Minuca rapax modify the distribution of microplastics in sediments?
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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.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.