Ingestion of microplastics has been documented across marine species, but exposure remains sparsely described in many seabird species. We assess microplastic (between 0.2 and 5.0 mm) ingestion in two Northwestern Atantic - breeding species for which exposure to microplastics is entirely or largely undescribed: Common Terns (Sterna hirundo) and Roseate Terns (S. dougallii). Common Tern microplastic load did not vary between life stages (p = 0.590); microplastic load did differ in Common Tern adults breeding at two of three colonies explored (p = 0.002), with no other regional differences observed. Roseate Terns ingested significantly more microplastics than Common Terns (p = 0.007). Our results show that microplastic ingestion by terns varies regionally and interspecifically, but not by life stage, trends potentially explained by dietary differences. We provide the first quantification of microplastic fiber ingestion by terns in the Northwestern Atlantic and identify trophic dynamics related to microplastic ingestion, representing an important step toward understanding the risk of the pollutant to terns across regions, as well as toward the use of terns as potential bioindicators of microplastics.

Blue swimming crab (BSC) Portunus pelagicus from the Bali Strait had the lowest Cu, Zn, Cr, Pb, Cd and Hg concentrations compared to those from the Java Sea and the Madura Strait. The order of metal concentrations in BSC was Cu > Zn > Cr > Pb > Cd > Hg. The levels of six metals in BSC from all stations were less than the maximum allowable limits. However, Cr levels in BSC from the Java Sea and the Madura Strait exceeded the provisional tolerable weekly intake. All of the hazardous index values reported were greater than one, indicating that consumption of this crab from these locations appears to be hazardous to human health. Furthermore, because the Cr and Cd target cancer risk values were higher than 10⁻⁴, people who consume this crab from these locations may develop cancer after a lifespan of consumption.

Anthropogenic fibres are an emerging pollutant worldwide. The Can Gio mangrove area is located downstream of the Saigon River, and is characterised by high level of anthropogenic fibres originating from domestic and industrial textile and apparel manufacturing. In this area, biota is thus subjected to a high potential risk of anthropogenic fibre contamination. This study aims to characterise the accumulation of anthropogenic fibres in different tissues, i.e. gills, digestive systems, and remaining tissues, of white clams (Meretrix lyrata) cultivated in the Can Gio beach sand, during a seven-month sampling period. The results showed an average concentration of 3.6 ± 2.1 fibres individual⁻¹ or 2.7 ± 2.4 fibres g⁻¹ ww. Higher fibre accumulation was observed in remaining tissues than in gills and digestive systems, and no temporal variation was observed in all clam tissues. The intake of fibres by humans consuming clams was estimated to be 324 fibres inhabitant⁻¹ yr⁻¹.

The establishment of water quality criteria (WQC) for copper (Cu) was used as the basis for an ecological risk assessment of marine Cu pollution in Liaodong Bay, China. Published ecotoxicity data for Cu were obtained and supplemented with the results of acute Cu toxicity tests. The marine WQC for Cu in Liaodong Bay was developed using a species sensitivity distribution method with a safety factor of 2.0 and the USEPA acute-to-chronic ratio method. The ecological risk of Cu in Liaodong Bay was assessed by comparing the seawater Cu concentrations with the developed WQC. The results of this study showed that the acute and chronic Cu concentrations in Liaodong Bay were 3.31 and 2.18 μg/L, respectively. Comparison of the WQC to Cu concentrations in the bay resulted in risk quotients slightly >1.0 and typically ≤2.0. These data suggest that certain organisms in Liaodong Bay are at risk. These results can assist in the development of a pollution control management approach for the bay.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Microcystins (MCs) are refractory cyclic heptapeptides which mainly due to the release of bloom-forming cyanobacteria and is a problem of emerging environmental concern. The presence of MCs in water poses a severe challenge to the health of human beings. This review is aimed to summarize the recent progress in removing MCs, and to serve the development of theories and technologies for eliminating MCs in the future. RECENT FINDINGS: The traditional methods such as membrane filtration, chemical reagent, and biological enzyme suffer from high cost or second pollution in the process of removing MCs. The magnetic adsorption nanomaterial is regarded as an efficient treatment technology for the removal of MCs due to its easy separation and low cost. The carbon-based photocatalysis possesses a broader prospect for application in eliminating MCs, which could degrade MCs with high efficiency and lower energy consumption. This article reviews the physical, biological, and chemical methods of eliminating MCs. The mechanism of various methods for the removal of MCs was proposed. Additionally, the magnetic adsorption nanomaterial and carbon-based photocatalysis for removing MCs are also discussed. Finally, based on the drawbacks of current research, prospects for future research were discussed. This review is expected to provide a reference for future environmental pollutants remediation particularly within the domain of eliminating MCs.

One of the aims of this study is the development of a pretreatment method for additives, plasticizers and other components of micro-litter (APFs), and small microplastics (SMPs <100 μm) in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of five of the most widely distributed and consumed commercial fish species, Engraulis encrasiculos, Sardina pilchardus, Mullus surmuletus, Solea solea, and Sparus aurata. The second aim was to develop a simultaneous quantification and identification method via Micro-FTIR of APFs and SMPs ingested by these commercial fish species. The distribution of SMPs and APFs is characteristically different for each species investigated. E. encrasiculos and S. pilchardus had a higher weight of SMPs than the other species investigated. Regarding APFs, the highest abundance was observed in E. encrasiculos. This study highlights the importance of studying additives and plasticizers that can be used as efficient proxies of microplastics, as shown by the presence of vulcanizing agents such as Vanax®.

The presence of floating marine anthropogenic litter in marine environments increase the possibility of transportation of fouling organisms using these substrates as a vector, mainly for those species with close affinities to artificial substrates. The objectives were to qualitatively and quantitatively report anthropogenic litter and its associated fouling groups arround Ilha Grande Bay (IGB). Litter was collected, classified and examined for the presence of fouling organisms on beaches located at two different levels of wave exposure during rainy and dry seasons. The types of litter do not differ among beaches, and the highest density and cover of fouling were reported on exposed beaches due the currents, winds, and storm waves. Bryozoans, barnacles, polychaetes, and mollusks were the most frequent fouling groups observed in litter and represents a potential vector for the dispersion of species in the IGB and adjacent coastal areas.

This is the first study to analyze the whole-genome sequence of B. manjavacas Australian (Aus.) strain through combination of Oxford Nanopore long-read seq, resulting in a total length of 108.1 Mb and 75 contigs. Genome-wide detoxification related gene families in B. manjavacas Aus. strain were comparatively analyzed with those previously identified in other Brachionus spp., including B. manjavacas German (Ger.) strain. Most of the subfamilies in detoxification related families (CYPs, GSTs, and ABCs) were highly conserved and confirmed orthologous relationship with Brachionus spp., and with accumulation of genome data, clear differences between genomic repertoires were demonstrated the marine and the freshwater species. Furthermore, strain-specific genetic variations were present between the Aus. and Ger. strains of B. manjavacas. This whole-genome analysis provides in-depth review on the genomic structural differences for detoxification-related gene families and further provides useful information for comparative ecotoxicological studies and evolution of detoxification mechanisms in Brachionus spp.