Concentrations of organophosphate esters (OPEs) plasticizers were analysed in the present study. Fifty-five fish samples belonging to three highly commercial species, European sardine (Sardina pilchardus), European anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus), and European hake (Merluccius merluccius), were taken from the Western Mediterranean Sea. OPEs were detected in all individuals, except for two hake samples, with concentrations between 0.38 and 73.4 ng/g wet weight (ww). Sardines presented the highest mean value with 20.5 ± 20.1 ng/g ww, followed by anchovies with 14.1 ± 8.91 ng/g ww and hake with 2.48 ± 1.76 ng/g ww. The lowest OPE concentrations found in hake, which is a partial predator of anchovy and sardine, and the higher δ¹⁵N values (as a proxy of trophic position), may indicate the absence of OPEs biomagnification. Eleven out of thirteen tested OPEs compounds were detected, being diphenyl cresyl phosphate (DCP) one of the most frequently detected in all the species. The highest concentration values were obtained for tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TDClPP), trihexyl phosphate (THP), and tris(2-butoxyethyl) phosphate (TBOEP), for sardines, anchovies, and hakes, respectively. The human health risk associated with the consumption of these fish species showing that their individual consumption would not pose a considerable threat to public health regarding OPE intake.

We investigated the tissue distribution, trophic transfer, and ecological risk of 13 trace elements in 26 East Asian finless porpoises (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis sunameri), an endangered species found in the Liaodong Bay and the north Yellow Sea. All the investigated trace elements were detected in the tissue and food web of the East Asian finless porpoises. The concentrations of the potentially toxic elements were 2.37 × 10⁻⁵ – 754 mg kg⁻¹ dry weight (dw) in stranded porpoises and 0.01–159 mg kg⁻¹ dw in their food web. Tissue-specific distribution of the trace elements generally ranked as: liver > kidney > heart > lung > muscle. Zn was the dominant contaminant in the five investigated tissues. Significant positive correlations were found between body length or age and some trace elements, especially Cd. Adults (≥2 years old) presented higher concentrations of most of the trace elements than juveniles (<2 years old). Sex-dependent distribution of the trace elements was insignificant except for Mn, Ni, and Zn in muscle and renal tissue. As, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, and V biodiluted across the East Asian finless porpoise food web while Zn biomagnified. However, Hg, Cd, Co, Cr, Se, and Sn did not exhibit apparent trophic transfer trends. Overall, ecological risk assessment of trace elements in East Asian finless porpoises suggested that greater attention should be given to Hg, As, Cd, and Se.

This review synthesises information from published articles on the incorporation of pollutants by macroinvertebrates from sandy beaches, including both field samplings and bioassays. The hypothesis that macroinvertebrates quantitatively reflect the presence of pollutants in sediment, acting as biomonitors, was tested through a meta-analysis based on studies performed in situ. More than half of the studies were conducted in the Mediterranean. Of the 53 articles based on field samplings, less than half (40%) determined the concentration of pollutants in the sediment as well as in the organisms. Donacidae, Talitridae, and Hippidae were tested as biomonitors, mainly of trace elements. Donacidae and Talitridae reflected in their soft tissues the presence of most trace elements in the sediment, which was not the case with Hippidae. Few studies (≤2 articles) evaluated the response of these macroinvertebrates to persistent organic pollutants, hydrocarbons, or microplastic. A selection based on sampling of sediment and species not yet tested as biomonitors is necessary due to the scarcity of a baseline worldwide and because responses to pollutants may be species-specific.

To understand the fate of plastic in oceans and the interaction with marine organisms, we investigated the incorporation of (bio)polymers and microplastics in selected benthic foraminiferal species by applying FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared) microscopy. This experimental methodology has been applied to cultured benthic foraminifera Rosalina globularis, and to in situ foraminifera collected in a plastic remain found buried into superficial sediment in the Mediterranean seafloor, Rosalina bradyi, Textularia bocki and Cibicidoides lobatulus. In vitro foraminifera were treated with bis-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) molecule to explore its internalization in the cytoplasm. Benthic foraminifera are marine microbial eukaryotes, sediment-dwelling, commonly short-lived and with reproductive cycles which play a central role in global biogeochemical cycles of inorganic and organic compounds. Despite the recent advances and investigations into the occurrence, distribution, and abundance of plastics, including microplastics, in marine environments, there remain relevant knowledge gaps, particularly on their effects on the benthic protists. No study, to our knowledge, has documented the molecular scale effect of plastics on foraminifera.Our analyses revealed three possible ways through which plastic-related molecules and plastic debris can enter a biogeochemical cycle and may affect the ecosystems: 1) foraminifera in situ can grow on plastic remains, namely C. lobatulus, R. bradyi and T. bocki, showing signals of oxidative stress and protein aggregation in comparison with R. globularis cultured in negative control; 2) DEHP can be incorporated in the cytoplasm of calcareous foraminifera, as observed in R. globularis; 3) microplastic debris, identified as epoxy resin, can be found in the cytoplasm and the agglutinated shell of T. bocki.We hypothesize that plastic waste and their associated additives may produce modifications related to the biomineralization process in foraminifera. This effect would be added to those induced by ocean acidification with negative consequences on the foraminiferal biogenic carbon (C) storage capacity.

Contaminant levels are lower in Antarctica than elsewhere in the world because of its low anthropogenic activities. However, the northern region of the Antarctic Peninsula, is close to South America and experiences the greatest anthropogenic pressure in Antarctica. Here, we investigated, in two Antarctic Peninsula islands, intra and interspecific factors that influence the concentrations of 17 trace elements (TEs) in blood and feathers of three penguin species breeding sympatrically in relation to their trophic ecology assessed via a stable isotopic approach (C, N and S). Geographical location, foraging zone (δ¹³C and δ³⁴S) and diet influences the interspecific difference, and sex and maturity stage diet influence the intraspecific difference of Pygoscelis penguins. Penguins from Livingston showed higher values (mean, ng. g⁻¹, dry weight - dw) of Zn (103), Mn (0.3), and Fe (95) than those from King George Island (Zn: 80, Mn: 1.9, and Fe: 11). Gender-related differences were observed, as males showed significantly higher values (mean, ng. g⁻¹, dw) of Rb (3.4) and δ¹⁵N in blood of gentoo, and Ca (1344) in Adélie feathers. Chicks of gentoo and Adélie presented higher Zn, Mg, Ca, and Sr and lower ¹³C values in blood than adults. The highest concentrations (mean, ng. g⁻¹, dw) of Cd (0.2) and Cu (26), and the lowest δ¹⁵N values were found in chinstrap. Geographical, intraspecific (i.e., ontogenetic and gender-related) and interspecific differences in feeding seemed to have influenced TE and stable isotope values in these animals. The TE bioaccumulation by penguins may have also been influenced by natural enrichment in environmental levels of these elements, which seems to be the case for Fe, Zn, and Mn. However, the high level of some of the TEs (Mn, Cd, and Cr) may reflect the increase of local and global human activities.

Microplastic abundances have been studied intensively in the last years in marine and freshwater environments worldwide. Though several articles have been published about the Mediterranean Sea, only few studies about the Black Sea exist. The Black Sea drains into the Mediterranean Sea and may therefore significantly contribute to the Mediterranean marine pollution. So far, only very few articles have been published about micro-, meso- and macroplastic abundances in the Western Black Sea. In order to fill this knowledge gap and to decipher the number of plastics on the water surface, 12 samples were collected from surface waters with a neustonic net (mesh size 200 μm) in the Black Sea close to the Danube Delta and the Romanian shore. Organic matter was digested and plastic particles were isolated by density separation. The results of visual inspection, pyrolysis GC-MS (for microplastics) and ATR-FTIR (for mesoplastics >5 mm) revealed an average concentration of 7 plastic particles/m³, dominated by fibers (∼76%), followed by foils (∼13%) and fragments (∼11%). Only very few spherules were detected. The polymers polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE) dominated which is in line with other studies analyzing surface waters from rivers in Western Europe as well as in China. Statistical analyses show that the plastic concentration close to the mouth of the Danube River was significantly higher than at four nearshore regions along the Romanian and Bulgarian coastline. This could be explained by plastic inputs from the Danube River into the western part of the Black Sea.

Microplastic contamination in ecosystems has emerged as an environmental issue of global significance. This research quantified microplastics in oysters from 22 sites along Taiwan coastlines. In total, 6630 microplastic items were found in 660 oysters of two genera (Crassostrea and Saccostrea). The average content of microplastics was 3.24 ± 1.02 items/g (wet weight), ranging from 0.63 ± 0.52 items/g to 37.94 ± 19.22 items/g. Over half of the microplastics were smaller than 100 μm, and the most common shape was fragments (67%), followed by fibers (29%). The dominant color was transparent (49.76%), followed by black (25.66%). Polymer types were identified using a μRaman microscope, and the major component was polyethylene terephthalate (PET) (69.54%). Microplastic contamination was higher overall in wild than in farmed oysters. In addition, the microplastic content of oysters from northeastern waters was significantly greater than that of other oysters; this result is similar to the findings of previous research on floating marine litter and beach cleaning data. The results indicated that the average content of microplastic in oysters along the Taiwan coastline was similar to that in oysters in adjacent regions. This study suggests that innovative technologies should be implemented for monitoring and removing pollution, tracking marine pollution origins, and improving accountability and that plastic limitation strategies should be strengthened.

Beaches are key attractions for tourism and recreation, and considerable effort is made to keep beaches clean, yet many beaches still have substantial litter loads. Lasting solutions to reduce the amounts of marine litter require an understanding of litter sources. We collected bottles and other single-use containers at 32 sites around the South African coast to infer their sources based on their age and country of manufacture. Bottle densities varied greatly among beaches (8–450 bottles·km⁻¹), depending on proximity to local urban centres and beach cleaning frequency. Most bottles were plastic, despite well-developed recycling initiatives for PET and HDPE bottles in South Africa. Street litter was dominated by bottles made in South Africa (99%), but foreign-manufactured bottles comprised up to 74% of bottles at some beaches, with an increase from urban (4%) through semi-urban (24%) to remote beaches (45%). Most foreign bottles were PET drink bottles from China and other Asian countries, followed by South America and Europe, with little regional variation in the contribution from these sources. This fact, coupled with their recent manufacture dates (mainly <2 years old), indicates that most foreign PET drink bottles are dumped illegally from ships. By comparison, foreign HDPE bottles were more common along the southeast coast of South Africa than along the west coast, consistent with many of these bottles arriving by long-distance drift across the Indian Ocean from southeast Asia. The most common country of origin for these bottles was Indonesia, and most newly-arrived HDPE bottles were 4–6 years old. To tackle beach litter in South Africa we need to greatly reduce plastic leakage from land-based sources, both locally and in southeast Asia, as well as improve measures to prevent the illegal dumping of plastics and other persistent wastes from ships.

Microplastics (MPs) are currently one of the primary marine pollution problems around the world. MPs are distributed throughout the water column, dependent mainly on the density that is given by the polymer type, as well as the location, depth, and velocities of the water flows. This situation allows all aquatic organisms to be exposed to MPs. Furthermore, toxic substances can adhere to the MPs, making the consumption of fish with MPs a risk to human health. The aim of this study was to evaluate and characterize the microplastics present in the gastrointestinal tract of six species of fish which had the highest human consumption in Campeche, Mexico and their relationship with the density of MPs founded. A total of 316 microplastic particles from 240 individuals were found with 1.31 ± 2.59 of microplastics per fish. The results indicate that there are differences (KW–H = 53.14) between the densities of the MPs present in demersal fish (1.41 ± 0.4 g cm⁻³) with respect to the pelagic species (1.04 ± 0.24 g cm⁻³). Likewise, differences were found between fibers, fragments, and pellets present in the studied fish with a pelagic: demersal ratio of 1: 2.4 for all microplastics. The demersal species Haemulon plumierii (n = 40) presented the highest number of MPs with 115 items in total, 73 fibers, and 42 fragments. The results of this research show the first evidence that the density of the material from which microplastics are made play a key role determining their fate in marine fish habitats.