Relationships between plastic litter and chemical pollutants on benthic biodiversity

Environmental Pollution
Michela D'AlessandroTeresa Romeo

Abstract

Five Descriptors (D) of Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD): marine litter (D10), non-indigenous species (D2) and organic and inorganic pollutants (D8), were estimated in a coastal area of GSA 16 (Augusta harbour, Central Mediterranean Sea) in order to study their effects on the biodiversity (D1) of the benthic community D6) and to improve data for the MSFD. Investigation of plastic debris had led to the identification of 38 fragments divided into four categories, among which microplastics resulted as the most abundant. Six non-indigenous species, belonging to Polychaeta (Kirkegaardia dorsobranchialis, Notomastus aberans, Pista unibranchia, Pseudonereis anomala, Branchiomma bairdi) and Mollusca (Brachidontes pharaonis) were found. Biodiversity and benthic indices suggested a generalised, slightly disturbed ecological status. Anthracene, Zinc and Chrome were the most abundant chemical compounds in analysed sediments. Significant correlations were found between the abundance of trace elements vs biotic indices and between plastic debris vs biodiversity and benthic indices. This study represents the first report about the abundance of plastic debris and its relationship to contaminants and infauna in Augusta harbour. Our re...Continue Reading

Citations

Jun 21, 2019·Water Environment Research : a Research Publication of the Water Environment Federation·Yankui TangXiang Sun
Dec 29, 2020·The Science of the Total Environment·José M Guerra-GarcíaMacarena Ros
Nov 19, 2020·Marine Pollution Bulletin·Chiara SchmidElena Zambello
Nov 14, 2020·The Science of the Total Environment·Yuanqiang TangZisong Yang
Jul 8, 2021·Environmental Science and Pollution Research International·Nawfel MosbahiJean-Claude Dauvin

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