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Barnacles as potential bioindicator of microplastic pollution in Hong Kong
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Researchers examined microplastic occurrence in four barnacle species collected from 30 sites across Hong Kong waters, finding microplastics — predominantly fibers — in all species and proposing barnacles as potential bioindicators of coastal microplastic pollution.
Microplastic (MP) pollution is an emerging problem in the marine environment and the assessment of the presence and abundance of microplastics in wild organisms is essential for risk assessment. The occurrence of microplastics in four species of barnacles at 30 sites in Hong Kong waters was investigated. The median number of microplastics ranged between 0 and 8.63 particles g wet weight, or 0 and 1.9 particles individual, with fibers being the most abundant type of microplastics. The chemical composition of 152 pieces out of 606 potential microplastics was analyzed using micro-Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (μ-FTIR). Fifty-two of them were synthetic polymers, 95 natural cotton fibers and five unknowns. Eight types of polymer were identified with cellophane being the most abundant (58%). Correlation analysis was conducted between the abundance of MPs in sediments obtained in our previous study and that in individual barnacle species in this study, and a positive correlation was established for the barnacle Amphibalanus amphitrite, highlighting the potential of using this species as a bioindicator of microplastics.
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Geostatistical estimation of marine microplastics pollution in Hong Kong using benthic fauna as bioindicators.
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This study reused existing data on microplastics found in barnacles and other bottom-dwelling sea creatures in Hong Kong to map pollution across the region. The highest microplastic levels appeared near the northeast bays and areas close to the Pearl River Delta, suggesting pollution from land sources. Barnacles and gastropods were identified as useful indicators for tracking marine microplastic pollution.
Barnacles as silent sentinels of microplastic pollution: Evidence from Gujarat coast, India and a global meta-analysis of sessile marine species
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This study found microplastics in all eight barnacle species sampled across 13 coastal sites in Gujarat, India, with fibers and fragments of polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene predominating. A global meta-analysis confirmed that sessile marine organisms like barnacles serve as reliable bioindicators of local microplastic contamination levels.
Experimental accumulation of microplastics in acorn barnacle Amphibalanus amphitrite and its use in estimating microplastic concentration in coastal waters
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Researchers assessed the potential of acorn barnacles (Amphibalanus amphitrite) as bioindicators for microplastic pollution, finding that these filter feeders accumulate polypropylene fibers and fragments in ways that could help estimate coastal water contamination levels.
Barnacles as emerging sentinels of microplastic contamination: A global synthesis and analytical framing
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Barnacles — the small crustaceans that encrust ship hulls and rocky shores — filter seawater continuously, making them promising sentinels for detecting microplastic pollution levels in the ocean. This global review of 14 field studies across seven countries found that barnacles consistently reflect local microplastic contamination, with fibers and fragments of polyethylene and cellophane being most common. While barnacles show real potential as low-cost monitoring organisms, the authors call for standardized methods to make data from different regions and studies comparable.
Barnacle analysis as a microplastic pollution bioindicator on the East Coast of Surabaya
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A total of 196 microplastic particles were found in barnacles, water, and sediment on the east coast of Surabaya, with barnacles dominated by very small fragments in the 1-10 micron range. Amphibalanus amphitrite was identified as a potential bioindicator species for microplastic monitoring in coastal environments.
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