Microplastic distribution in urban vs pristine mangroves: Using marine sponges as bioindicators of environmental pollution

• Published in: Environmental pollution (1987) Vol. 284; p. 117391
• Main Authors: Celis-Hernández, Omar, Ávila, Enrique, Ward, Raymond D., Rodríguez-Santiago, María Amparo, Aguirre-Téllez, José Alberto
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.09.2021
• Subjects: Gulf of Mexico; Isla del carmen; Mangroves; Marine sponges; Microplastics; Marine sponges; Mangroves; Microplastics; Isla del carmen; Gulf of Mexico
• ISSN: 0269-7491; 1873-6424
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.117391

Sessile benthic organisms are considered good bioindicators for monitoring environmental quality of coastal ecosystems. However, these environments are impacted by new pollutants such as microplastics (MPs), where there is limited information about organisms that can be used as reliable bioindicators of these emerging contaminants. We evaluated MP concentrations in three compartments: surface sediment, water and in three marine sponge species (Haliclona implexiformis, Halichondria melanadocia and Amorphinopsis atlantica), to determine whether these organisms accumulate MPs and reflect their possible sources. Results showed MPs in all three compartments. Average concentrations ranged from 1861 to 3456 items kg−1 of dry weight in marine sponges, 130 to 287 items L−1 in water and 6 to 11 items kg−1 in sediment. The maximum MP concentration was in the sponge A. atlantica, which registered 5000 items kg−1 of dry weight, in water was 670 items L−1 and in sediment was 28 items kg−1, these values were found in the disturbed study area. The three sponge species exhibited MP bioaccumulation and showed significant differences between disturbed and pristine sites (F = 11.2, p < 0.05), suggesting their use as bioindicators of MP. [Display omitted] •Fibres were the only microplastic type in marine sponges from Isla del Carmen.•Sponges exhibited MP concentrations from 556 to 5000 items kg−1.•Sponges bioaccumulate 17 times more MPs than seawater concentrations.•Marine sponges act as a quantitative bioindicator of MPs to aquatic environments.•Fishing, sewage and laundry activities were the main anthropogenic sources of MPs. Bioaccumulation of marine sponges show how these organisms could be considered as possible bioindicators to evaluate MP pollution in coastal ecosystems.