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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Abundance of microplastic in different coastal areas using Phragmatopoma caudata (Kroyer in Morch, 1863) (Polychaeta: Sabelariidae) as an indicator
ClearQuantitative evaluation of microplastics in colonies of Phragmatopoma caudata Krøyer in Mörch, 1863 (Polychaeta-Sabellariidae): Analysis in sandcastles and tissues and identification via Raman spectroscopy
Researchers found microplastics embedded in the sand tubes and body tissues of Phragmatopoma caudata, a tube-building marine worm that constructs its home from sand grains. This study shows that filter-feeding and sediment-associated organisms incorporate microplastics into their structures, spreading plastic contamination through marine ecosystems.
Indicator Function of Ragworm (Nereididae) on Sediment Microplastic in Haizhou Bay Intertidal Zone
This study used ragworms collected from intertidal sediments in Haizhou Bay, China, as biological indicators of microplastic contamination in the surrounding sediment. The worm data closely reflected sediment microplastic levels, suggesting ragworms can serve as useful bioindicators for monitoring coastal pollution.
First attempt to quantify microplastics in Mediterranean Sabellaria spinulosa (Annelida, Polychaeta) bioconstructions
Researchers found microplastics concentrated within the reef-like structures built by the tube worm Sabellaria spinulosa along the Italian Adriatic coast, with higher abundance and different particle shapes inside the bioconstruction than in the surrounding seafloor sediment. This suggests that the physical architecture of biogenic reefs can act as a trap for microplastic pollution, with potential consequences for the organisms living in and around these coastal habitats.
Microplastic quantification in Sabellaria reefs: a validated protocol for extraction from biogenic agglutinated matrices
Scientists developed a new method to accurately measure tiny plastic particles trapped in underwater reefs built by marine worms. These reef structures act like filters that collect microplastics from ocean water, which can then enter the food chain when other sea creatures eat organisms living on the reefs. This improved testing method will help researchers better track plastic pollution in coastal waters and understand how it might affect seafood that people eat.
Microplastics in a mosaic of Marine Protected Areas from southeastern Brazil: An assessment based on filter-feeding bivalves
Researchers used filter-feeding bivalves as biological monitors to assess microplastic contamination across 28 marine protected areas along a heavily populated stretch of coastline in southeastern Brazil. They found microplastics in bivalves from all sites surveyed, demonstrating that protected status alone does not shield marine areas from plastic pollution. The study highlights how diffuse, transboundary plastic contamination reaches even designated conservation zones.
Evidence of microplastics in the polychaete worm (capitellids—Capitella capitata) (Fabricicus, 1780) along Thoothukudi region
Microplastic occurrence was documented for the first time in the polychaete worm Capitella capitata collected from two sites near Thoothukudi, India, with the worm's non-selective feeding making it a useful pollution bioindicator.
Microplastics in rocky shore mollusks of different feeding habits: An assessment of sentinel performance
Researchers examined microplastic levels in three types of rocky shore mollusks with different feeding habits along a pollution gradient in Brazil. Filter-feeding oysters accumulated the most microplastics, followed by plant-eating limpets and meat-eating snails, suggesting that how an animal feeds affects how much plastic it ingests. The study proposes that all three species could serve as useful sentinel organisms for monitoring microplastic contamination in coastal areas.
Suitability of Free-Living Marine Nematodes as Bioindicators: Status and Future Considerations
This review examines how free-living marine nematodes have been used for over 40 years as biological indicators of ocean pollution, particularly for heavy metals and hydrocarbons. Researchers highlight their potential as bioindicators for microplastic contamination, an understudied class of pollutants threatening global biodiversity. The study calls for improved international collaboration and standardized methods to expand the use of these organisms in monitoring marine environmental health.
Marine Polychaetes as Biomonitoring Tools for Total Mercury in BTS Beach Environments
Researchers collected marine polychaete worms from Todos os Santos Bay in Brazil to monitor mercury contamination in the coastal environment. These bottom-dwelling worms are effective biomonitors because they live in and feed within sediments where toxic metals tend to accumulate. The study demonstrates the utility of polychaetes as biomonitoring tools for tracking mercury pollution in beach environments affected by industrialization and urbanization.
Effects of microplastics on sessile invertebrates in the eastern coast of Thailand: An approach to coastal zone conservation
Researchers assessed microplastic contamination in three abundant intertidal invertebrate species along Thailand's eastern coast, including rock oysters, barnacles, and periwinkles. They found microplastic accumulation rates of 0.2 to 0.6 particles per gram across all species, with filter-feeding organisms showing higher accumulation. The study suggests that sessile intertidal organisms can serve as effective bioindicators for monitoring coastal microplastic pollution levels.
Abundance and Diversity of Polychaete Worms in Kapuas Estuary, West Kalimantan
This paper is not about microplastics — it surveys polychaete worm diversity and abundance in the Kapuas estuary as an indicator of organic pollution.
Microplastics in Florida, United States: A Case Study of Quantification and Characterization With Intertidal Snails
Researchers quantified and characterized microplastic contamination in Florida coastal waters using intertidal snails as indicator organisms, documenting the extent of MP pollution along beaches that are subject to heavy tourism and hurricane disturbance.
Microplastics abundance in marine sediments and stomach contents of benthic organisms
Researchers quantified microplastic abundance in marine sediments and benthic organism stomachs across the Eastern South Pacific Ocean and Southern Caribbean Sea, finding finer sediments retained more microplastics, blue and red fibers under 2 mm dominated both regions, and polychaetes were the primary consumers — making them useful bioindicators of microplastic pollution.
Microplastics inside bodies: contamination of MPs in Phallusia nigra
Researchers investigated microplastic contamination in the marine invertebrate Phallusia nigra, a sessile tunicate found in coastal and estuarine environments, examining its potential as a bioindicator of plastic pollution in warm coastal waters from Bermuda to Brazil and other regions.
Mangrove mud clam as an effective sentinel species for monitoring changes in coastal microplastic pollution
Researchers collected mangrove mud clams from 18 stations along China's Leizhou Peninsula to evaluate their effectiveness as sentinel organisms for monitoring coastal microplastic pollution. They found that microplastic contamination in the clams correlated with local pollution levels, making them useful biological indicators. The study suggests that this widely distributed species could serve as a standardized tool for tracking changes in coastal microplastic contamination over time.
Multiple species ingest microplastic but few reflect sediment and water pollution on sandy beaches: A baseline for biomonitoring
Researchers surveyed 45 species on sandy beaches and found that while many animals ingest microplastics, only a small fraction of species ingested them in proportion to how polluted the surrounding water and sediment actually were. This means choosing the right "biomonitor" species matters enormously — most animals are poor proxies for actual pollution levels. The study provides a critical baseline for designing reliable coastal microplastic monitoring programs.
Bivalves with potential for monitoring microplastics in South America
Researchers tested three South American mussel species and found that all of them accumulated microplastics in their tissues, feces, and pseudofeces, suggesting these bivalves can serve as reliable bioindicators — living monitors — for microplastic contamination in coastal waterways.
Meso- and microplastic composition, distribution patterns and drivers: A snapshot of plastic pollution on Brazilian beaches
A standardized survey of plastic pollution across 22 sandy beaches spanning over 4600 km of Brazilian coast found widespread contamination in coastal sediments, with polymer type, size, and distribution patterns reflecting diverse sources including fishing activity and urban runoff.
Barnacles as silent sentinels of microplastic pollution: Evidence from Gujarat coast, India and a global meta-analysis of sessile marine species
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.
Microplastic pollution in the littoral environment: insights from the largest Mediterranean Sabellaria spinulosa (Annelida) reef and shoreface sediments
Researchers measured microplastic concentrations in and around a rare Mediterranean bioconstruction reef — the largest Sabellaria spinulosa polychaete reef in the Mediterranean — along the southern Adriatic coast of Italy. The western side of the site had significantly higher microplastic levels, driven by coastal currents rather than the reef-building activity itself, with PET fibers as the dominant type. The findings reveal that polychaete reefs act as temporary microplastic traps, accumulating contamination in ways that could harm these fragile and ecologically important benthic habitats.
Quantification of microplastics along the Caribbean Coastline of Colombia: Pollution profile and biological effects on Caenorhabditis elegans
Researchers quantified microplastics at four beach locations along Colombia's Caribbean coast and tested their biological effects on the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, finding significant contamination at all sites and measurable toxic effects on worm survival, reproduction, and behavior.
Bivalve Mollusks as Biological Monitoring of Microplastic: A Review of Anadara antiquata and Gafrarium sp. in Indonesia
This Indonesian review examines two bivalve species (Anadara antiquata and Gafrarium sp.) as biological monitors of coastal microplastic contamination, synthesizing evidence that these filter feeders accumulate microplastics from seawater and serve as reliable sentinels for pollution in Indonesian coastal ecosystems.
Microplastics determination and quantification in two benthic filter feeders Sabella spallanzanii, Polychaeta and Paraleucilla magna, Porifera
Researchers developed a simple method to extract and quantify microplastics from two benthic filter-feeding species, the fan worm Sabella spallanzanii and the calcareous sponge Paraleucilla magna. Using a potassium hydroxide and hydrogen peroxide solution, they achieved over 98 percent organic matter removal while preserving the plastic particles. The findings suggest these filter feeders could serve as effective bioindicators for monitoring marine microplastic pollution.
Abundance and distribution of small microplastics (≤ 3 μm) in sediments and seaworms from the Southern Mediterranean coasts and characterisation of their potential harmful effects.
Researchers quantified very small microplastics (≤3 µm) in sediment and marine worms from multiple sites along the southern Mediterranean coast and described their morphological and chemical characteristics, finding widespread contamination at sizes typically overlooked by standard methods.