Effects of inbreeding on reproductive success in endangered North Atlantic right whales.

Only approximately 356 North Atlantic right whales (Eubalaena glacialis) remain. With extremely low levels of genetic diversity, limited options for mates, and variation in reproductive success across females, there is concern regarding the potential for genetic limitations of population growth from inbreeding depression. In this study, we quantified reproductive success of female North Atlantic right whales with a modified de-lifing approach using reproductive history information collected over decades of field observations. We used double-digest restriction site-associated sequencing to sequence approximately 2% of the genome of 105 female North Atlantic right whales and combined genomic inbreeding estimates with individual fecundity values to assess evidence of inbreeding depression. Inbreeding depression could not explain the variance in reproductive success of females, however we present evidence that inbreeding depression may be affecting the viability of inbred fetuses-potentially lowering the reproductive success of the species as a whole. Combined, these results allay some concerns that genetic factors are impacting species survival as genetic diversity is being retained through selection against inbred fetuses. While still far fewer calves are being born each year than expected, the small role of genetics underlying variance in female fecundity suggests that variance may be explained by external factors that can potentially be mitigated through protection measures designed to reduce serious injury and mortality from human activities.

Similar teleconnection patterns of ENSO-NAO and ENSO-precipitation in Colombia: linear and non-linear relationships.

The Central-Pacific (CP) and Eastern-Pacific (EP) types of El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and their ocean-atmosphere effect cause diverse responses in the hydroclimatological patterns of specific regions. Given the impact of ENSO diversity on the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO), this study aimed to determine the relationship between the ENSO-NAO teleconnection and the ENSO-influenced precipitation patterns in Colombia during the December-February period. Precipitation data from 1981 to 2023, obtained from the Climate Hazards Group (CHIRPS), were analyzed using nine ENSO and NAO indices spanning from 1951 to 2023. Using Pearson's correlation and mutual information (MI) techniques, nine scenarios were devised, encompassing the CP and EP ENSO events, neutral years, and volcanic eruptions. The results suggest a shift in the direction of the ENSO-NAO relationship when distinguishing between the CP and EP events. Higher linear correlations were observed in the CP ENSO scenarios (r > 0.65) using the MEI and BEST indices, while lower correlations were observed when considering EP events along with the Niño 3 and Niño 1.2 indices. MI show difference in relationships based on the event type and the ENSO index used. Notably, an increase in the non-linear relationship was observed for the EP scenarios with respect to correlation. Both teleconnections followed a similar pattern, exhibiting a more substantial impact during CP ENSO events. This highlights the significance of investigating the impacts of ENSO on hydrometeorological variables in the context of adapting to climate change, while acknowledging the intricate diversity inherent to the ENSO phenomenon.

Anthropogenic particles determination in northern krill (Meganyctiphanes norvegica) from the Azores region: A keystone species for marine food webs.

Plastic pollution poses a significant threat to marine ecosystems. Microfibres from fabrics have become the most prevalent shape of microplastic found in the marine environment. The northern krill (Meganyctiphanes norvegica) is the most abundant euphausiid species in the northern hemisphere, playing a crucial role in various pelagic ecosystems. Anthropogenic microparticles in northern krill was assessed for the first time in samples collected in the Azores on two occasions - April 2019 (n = 480) and April 2023 (n = 480). Analysis of all individuals revealed 533 anthropogenic particles, with an average abundance of 0.56 ± 0.14 items per individual and, no significant differences between years. Microfibres were the most common shape (94.8 %), with the remaining items being fragments (5.2 %), and blue and black were the predominant colours. MicroFourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis (µFTIR) of 22.1 % of the total number of particles, showed that they were mainly cellulosic (65.3 %) - either natural or semisynthetic - followed by polyester (7.6 %). Our finding of microplastics in the northern krill raises important questions due to its crucial role in marine food webs. The intake of anthropogenic particles, particularly those that are 100 % synthetic, suggests that the northern krill may act as a transfer vector of these pollutants to higher trophic levels.

Insights on long-term ecosystem changes from stable isotopes in historical squid beaks.

BACKGROUND: Assessing the historical dynamics of key food web components is crucial to understand how climate change impacts the structure of Arctic marine ecosystems. Most retrospective stable isotopic studies to date assessed potential ecosystem shifts in the Arctic using vertebrate top predators and filter-feeding invertebrates as proxies. However, due to long life histories and specific ecologies, ecosystem shifts are not always detectable when using these taxa. Moreover, there are currently no retrospective stable isotopic studies on various other ecological and taxonomic groups of Arctic biota. To test whether climate-driven shifts in marine ecosystems are reflected in the ecology of short-living mesopredators, ontogenetic changes in stable isotope signatures in chitinous hard body structures were analysed in two abundant squids (Gonatus fabricii and Todarodes sagittatus) from the low latitude Arctic and adjacent waters, collected between 1844 and 2023. RESULTS: We detected a temporal increase in diet and habitat-use generalism (= opportunistic choice rather than specialization), trophic position and niche width in G. fabricii from the low latitude Arctic waters. These shifts in trophic ecology matched with the Atlantification of the Arctic ecosystems, which includes increased generalization of food webs and higher primary production, and the influx of boreal species from the North Atlantic as a result of climate change. The Atlantification is especially marked since the late 1990s/early 2000s. The temporal patterns we found in G. fabricii's trophic ecology were largely unreported in previous Arctic retrospective isotopic ecology studies. Accordingly, T. sagittatus that occur nowadays in the high latitude North Atlantic have a more generalist diet than in the XIXth century. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that abundant opportunistic mesopredators with short life cycles (such as squids) are good candidates for retrospective ecology studies in the marine ecosystems, and to identify ecosystem shifts driven by climate change. Enhanced generalization of Arctic food webs is reflected in increased diet generalism and niche width in squids, while increased abundance of boreal piscivorous fishes is reflected in squids' increased trophic position. These findings support opportunism and adaptability in squids, which renders them as potential winners of short-term shifts in Arctic ecosystems.

Plastic ingestion and trace element contamination of Manx shearwaters Puffinus puffinus on the Faroe Islands.

Procellariiform seabirds can accumulate high levels of plastic in their gastrointestinal tracts, which can cause physical damage and potentially provides a contamination route for trace elements. We examined plastic ingestion and trace element contamination of fledgling Manx shearwaters Puffinus puffinus that were harvested for human consumption in 2003 and 2018 on Skúvoy, Faroe Islands (North Atlantic Ocean). Overall, 88% of fledglings contained plastic in their gastrointestinal tracts, with a mean (± SD) of 7.2 ± 6.6 items weighing 0.007 ± 0.016 g. Though the incidence was similar, fledglings ingested significantly more plastic in 2018 compared to 2003. Hepatic trace element concentrations were unrelated to plastic ingestion. Hepatic carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) stable isotope values were significantly lower in birds sampled in 2018 versus 2003, potentially reflecting further offshore feeding at lower trophic levels. Future research is needed to understand the extent of plastic ingestion by Faroe Islands seabirds.

Climatic resilience: Marine heatwaves do not influence the variations of green crab (Carcinus maenas) megalopae supply patterns to a Western Iberian estuary.

Extreme climatic events like marine heatwaves (MHWs) are becoming more frequent, intense, and longer lasting all around the world. The consequences of these anomalously warm periods are devastating for marine ecosystems. Still, little is known about these extreme events off the western Iberia coast. Here we analyzed MHW events occurring from 1982 to 2020 on the Aveiro coast, western Iberia coast of Portugal. A total of 79 events were detected for the region, with an average duration of 15.8 days, and a mean intensity of 1.9 °C ± 0.4 °C above the 90th percentile of sea surface temperatures (SST) for the region. The maximum intensity of the events has increased by 0.5 °C over the last decade. The relation between SST, and therefore, MHW events, the North Atlantic Oscillation index (NAO), and the regional Iberian Upwelling Index (UI) was identified. The intense upwelling of the region seems to mitigate the duration of warming conditions, resulting in shorter MHW events. Furthermore, the impacts of SST and MHW events on the supply patterns of Carcinus maenas megalopae were examined, utilizing daily data from 2002, 2006-2009, 2012, and 2013, collected at the entrance of Ria de Aveiro. Cross-correlations were employed to assess the effect of SST on megalopae supply, while ordinary least square cumulative sums were used to identify variations over time. The influence of SST on supply was noticed with a 5-to-11-day lag, but this relation changed over the years. Contrary to our hypothesis, we found no evidence supporting a diminishment in megalopae supply due to MHW events. These elusive findings, coupled with the apparent lack of influence of these extreme events, highlight the relatively weak intensity and brief duration of the MHW events in the region, coupled with the high thermal tolerance of these species.

Climate-driven shifts in decapod larvae assemblages in a temperate estuary.

The study examines the complex impact of climatic patterns, driven by the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO), on regional climate, hydrology, and sea surface temperatures. Focused on the period from 2003 to 2012, the research specifically investigates the influence of thermal variability on decapod larval communities. Monthly zooplanktonic sampling conducted at the Mondego Estuary, Portugal, entrance over a decade revealed the prevalence of Carcinus maenas, Diogenes pugilator, and Pachigrapsus marmoratus larvae. These assemblages displayed notable interannual and seasonal fluctuations, often corresponding with changes in sea surface temperatures. Significant system shifts around 2007, instigated by the large-scale NAO, led to subsequent modifications in sea surface temperature and decapod larvae communities' dynamics. Post-2007, there was an upward trajectory in both species' abundance and richness. Phenologically during the former period, the community exhibited two abundance peaks, with the earlier peak occurring sooner, attributed to heightened temperatures instead of the unique peak exhibited before 2007. The research further elucidated the occurrences of Marine Heatwaves (MHW) in the region, delving into their temporal progression influenced by the NAO. Although water temperature emerged as a crucial factor influencing decapod larvae communities annually and seasonally, the study did not observe discernible impacts of MHW events on these communities. These communities represent essential trophic links and are crucial for the survival success of adult decapods. Given the rapid pace of climate change and increasing temperatures, it is imperative to assess whether these environmental shifts, particularly in thermal conditions, affect these meroplanktonic communities.

Changes in Atlantic climatic regulation mechanisms that underlie mesozooplankton biomass loss in the northern Baltic Sea.

The effects of climate-induced, long-term changes on mesozooplankton biomasses were studied based on monitoring data collected since 1966 in the northern Baltic Sea. We found that the biomasses of marine and brackish mesozooplankton had decreased significantly from 1966 to 2019, and a remarkable biomass and functional biodiversity loss took place in the mesozooplankton community. Our results put emphasis on the impact of two climate-driven regime shifts for the region's mesozooplankton community. The regime shifts took place in 1975 and 1976 and in 1989 and 1990, and they were the most important factor behind the abrupt biomass changes for marine mesozooplankton and total and marine Copepoda. Only the latter regime shift influenced the biomasses of brackish Copepoda, marine Cladocera, and total Rotifera. The decreasing length of the ice-cover period drove the decrease of the biomass of limnic Limnocalanus macrurus (Copepoda), while the winter North Atlantic Oscillation was behind biomass changes in the total and the brackish Cladocera. These findings may have important implications for planktivorous fish, such as Baltic herring, particularly in terms of their impact on commercial fishing.

The role of the North Atlantic Ocean on the increase in East Asia's spring extreme hot day occurrences across the early 2000s.

The occurrence frequency of East Asia's extreme hot day in boreal spring has increased since 1979. Using observational data and a Linear baroclinic model experiment, our study suggests that the occurrence of hot day is mainly due to anomalous high pressure over East Asia associated with a horizontal stationary wave train originating from a positive phase of the North Atlantic Tripole (NAT) sea surface temperature (SST) in spring. The effect of a positive phase of the NAT SST is evident in the 2000s, apparently associated with the linear trend of the North Atlantic SST like a positive phase of the NAT SST. Before 2000s, in contrast, SST forcing in the Indian Ocean and eastern tropical Pacific, which is associated with a negative phase of the NAT SST, may contribute to induce the East Asian hot days through atmospheric teleconnections. This implies that the relationship between a positive phase of the NAT SST and the occurrence of hot days in East Asia has been changed during the 2000s.

Microplastics in beach sediments of the Azores archipelago, NE Atlantic.

Oceanic islands are exposed to plastic debris that has accumulated in the open ocean, particularly in the subtropical gyres. This study investigates the abundance and typology of microplastics (from 0.1 to 5 mm) on 19 sandy beaches spread across 8 oceanic islands of the Azores archipelago. Between January and April 2016, a total of 341 particles retrieved from all beaches, were identified as microplastics. The highest concentration (50.19 ± 21.93 particles kg-1 dw) was found in Terceira Island. Beach morphology and grain size were important factors explaining microplastic concentration. Fibres were the most dominant morphology recovered (80.9 %), followed by fragments (12.3 %). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) revealed that 41 % of the fibres consisted of polyester and 60 % of the fragments were polyethylene. This research underlines the widespread contamination of microplastics in oceanic islands of the Atlantic Ocean.

A nationwide registry-based observational study of thyroid disease incidence in the Faroe Islands.

OBJECTIVE: The occurrence of thyroid disease varies among populations. While the iodine nutrition level of the Faroese seems to have been decreasing over the past decades, there is no systematic evaluation of the thyroid disease pattern in the Faroe Islands. Such knowledge of thyroid disease occurrence in the North Atlantic region may support healthcare planning and prevention. To investigate incidence rates, including subtypes of thyroid diseases, and demographic characteristics of thyroid disease patients in the Faroe Islands, to improve understanding of the patterns and trends of these disorders. DESIGN AND METHOD: A registry-based observational study was conducted over 10 years, encompassing all adult Faroese individuals. PATIENTS AND MEASUREMENTS: Health records from general practitioners and hospitals were used to identify incident cases of thyroid diseases. Validation was performed using multiple data sources. The incidence rates were standardised using population data from the middle of the study period 2006-2018. RESULTS: Among the 1152 individuals diagnosed with thyroid disease, the standardised incidence rates per 100,000 person-years were 55 for hyperthyroidism and 112 for hypothyroidism, and around four times higher in women than in men. Hashimoto's thyroiditis was the dominant cause of hypothyroidism, while Graves' disease was the leading cause of hyperthyroidism. The incidence of hypothyroidism increases with age. A decreasing trend was observed over time for both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. CONCLUSION: Considering the decrease in iodine nutrition levels over the past decades, we were surprised by the high incidence of autoimmune thyroid disease. The findings highlight the need for continuous monitoring of thyroid disease occurrence in coastal areas of the North Atlantic Ocean.

Novel Microsatellite Tags Hold Promise for Illuminating the Lost Years in Four Sea Turtle Species.

After hatching, sea turtles leave the nest and disperse into the ocean. Many years later, they return to their natal coastlines. The period between their leaving and their returning to natal areas, known as the "Lost Years", is poorly understood. Satellite tracking studies aimed at studying the "Lost Years" are challenging due to the small size and prolonged dispersal phases of young individuals. Here, we summarize preliminary findings about the performance of prototype microsatellite tags deployed over a three-year period on 160 neonate to small juvenile sea turtles from four species released in the North Atlantic Ocean. We provide an overview of results analyzing tag performance with metrics to investigate transmission characteristics and causes of tag failure. Our results reveal that, despite certain unfavorable transmission features, overall tag performance was satisfactory. However, most track durations were shorter than those observed on individuals of similar size in other studies and did not allow for detailed analyses of trajectories and turtle behavior. Our study further suggests that tracking durations are correlated with the targeted species, highlighting a lack of robustness against some neritic behaviors. Unprecedented diving data obtained for neonate sea turtles in this study suggest that the vertical behaviors of early juveniles are already too strenuous for these miniaturized tags. Our findings will help to inform the biologging research community, showcasing recent technological advances for the species and life stages within our study.

Husbandry Protocols for Juvenile Loggerhead Sea Turtles (Caretta caretta) Based on Stress Response to Stocking Density and Dry-Dock Time.

When necessary, sea turtles are held captive for veterinarian care and research purposes. Protocols and basic guidelines have been described for husbandry of sea turtles with veterinarian needs but not considering physiological indicators of animal welfare. Because all sea turtle are imperiled species, monitoring their welfare is important. The aim of this study was to standardize husbandry protocols for loggerhead (Caretta caretta) juveniles held under seminatural conditions, based on circulating concentration of plasma corticosterone (Cort) and behavior. Two experiments were performed to analyze physiological and behavioral responses of the animals facing changes in stocking density and different dry-docking times. Cort analyses suggested that the number of animals per tank can be modified occasionally, without affecting their health and welfare. However, dry-docking time should be < 30 min, as indicated by the significant elevation of circulating Cort at ≥ 30 min, rising from 1.51- ng/ml to 5.28-ng/ml. Protocols tested did not affect behavioral responses, except for the breaths per move, which increased while Cort increased, despite differences exhibited by experimental animals in behavioral responses according to daily times (morning vs afternoon) and the sex of the animals.

Identifying potential high-risk zones for land-derived plastic litter to marine megafauna and key habitats within the North Atlantic.

The pervasive use of plastic in modern society has led to plastic litter becoming ubiquitous within the ocean. Land-based sources of plastic litter are thought to account for the majority of plastic pollution in the marine environment, with plastic bags, bottles, wrappers, food containers and cutlery among the most common items found. In the marine environment, plastic is a transboundary pollutant, with the potential to cause damage far beyond the political borders from where it originated, making the management of this global pollutant particularly complex. In this study, the risks of land-derived plastic litter (LDPL) to major groups of marine megafauna - seabirds, cetaceans, pinnipeds, elasmobranchs, turtles, sirenians, tuna and billfish - and a selection of productive and biodiverse biogenic habitats - coral reefs, mangroves, seagrass, saltmarsh and kelp beds - were analysed using a Spatial Risk Assessment approach. The approach combines metrics for vulnerability (mechanism of harm for megafauna group or habitat), hazard (plastic abundance) and exposure (distribution of group or habitat). Several potential high-risk zones (HRZs) across the North Atlantic were highlighted, including the Azores, the UK, the French and US Atlantic coasts, and the US Gulf of Mexico. Whilst much of the modelled LDPL driving risk in the UK originated from domestic sources, in other HRZs, such as the Azores archipelago and the US Gulf of Mexico, plastic originated almost exclusively from external (non-domestic) sources. LDPL from Caribbean islands - some of the largest generators of marine plastic pollution in the dataset of river plastic emissions used in the study - was noted as a significant input to HRZs across both sides of the Atlantic. These findings highlight the potential of Spatial Risk Assessment analyses to determine the location of HRZs and understand where plastic debris monitoring and management should be prioritised, enabling more efficient deployment of interventions and mitigation measures.

Revealing the spatiotemporal patterns of water vapor and its link to North Atlantic Oscillation over Greenland using GPS and ERA5 data.

Precipitation plays an important role in the interannual mass variations of Greenland Ice Sheet (GrIS) and is highly influenced by atmospheric circulation change. The relationship between precipitation and North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) has been revealed by many studies, but the role of water vapor transportation in the NAO-precipitation relationship was rarely investigated. Therefore, to fill the knowledge gap of how water vapor changes and responds to NAO in space and time, we applied Multichannel Singular Spectral Analysis (MSSA) to the Global Positioning System (GPS) and the fifth-generation reanalysis dataset of the European Center for Medium-Range Weather Forecasting (ERA5) Precipitable Water Vapor (PWV) data to extract the interannual PWV signals in Greenland. Results show that the interannual PWV signals overall increased in 2008-2011, decreased in 2011-2015, and increased in 2015-2021. The amplitudes of the interannual signals derived from both the GPS PWV and ERA5 basin-averaged PWV exhibited an overall southwest-northeast decreasing gradient. We also found anticorrelation between the interannual PWV signals and the NAO signal over Greenland but the correlation coefficients are not statistically significant, and the correlation coefficients in most cases were less than -0.65, indicating that positive (negative) NAO phase decreased (increased) the water vapor content. The Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) results illustrated that the interannual signals derived from both the GPS site-dependent and the ERA5 basin-averaged PWV had similar dominant frequencies to that of the NAO signal, reinforcing their correlations. This study reveals the spatiotemporal pattern of the interannual water vapor and its linkage to the NAO, providing a new perspective for understanding the climate change on Greenland.

Merging trait-based ecology and regime shift theory to anticipate community responses to warming.

Anthropogenic warming is altering species abundance, distribution, physiology, and more. How changes observed at the species level alter emergent community properties is an active and urgent area of research. Trait-based ecology and regime shift theory provide complementary ways to understand climate change impacts on communities, but these two bodies of work are only rarely integrated. Lack of integration handicaps our ability to understand community responses to warming, at a time when such understanding is critical. Therefore, we advocate for merging trait-based ecology with regime shift theory. We propose a general set of principles to guide this merger and apply these principles to research on marine communities in the rapidly warming North Atlantic. In our example, combining trait distribution and regime shift analyses at the community level yields greater insight than either alone. Looking forward, we identify a clear need for expanding quantitative approaches to collecting and merging trait-based and resilience metrics in order to advance our understanding of climate-driven community change.

Fin whale song evolution in the North Atlantic.

Animal songs can change within and between populations as the result of different evolutionary processes. When these processes include cultural transmission, the social learning of information or behaviours from conspecifics, songs can undergo rapid evolutions because cultural novelties can emerge more frequently than genetic mutations. Understanding these song variations over large temporal and spatial scales can provide insights into the patterns, drivers and limits of song evolution that can ultimately inform on the species' capacity to adapt to rapidly changing acoustic environments. Here, we analysed changes in fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) songs recorded over two decades across the central and eastern North Atlantic Ocean. We document a rapid replacement of song INIs (inter-note intervals) over just four singing seasons, that co-occurred with hybrid songs (with both INIs), and a clear geographic gradient in the occurrence of different song INIs during the transition period. We also found gradual changes in INIs and note frequencies over more than a decade with fin whales adopting song changes. These results provide evidence of vocal learning in fin whales and reveal patterns of song evolution that raise questions on the limits of song variation in this species.

Climatic effects on the synchrony and stability of temperate headwater invertebrates over four decades.

Important clues about the ecological effects of climate change can arise from understanding the influence of other Earth-system processes on ecosystem dynamics but few studies span the inter-decadal timescales required. We, therefore, examined how variation in annual weather patterns associated with the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) over four decades was linked to synchrony and stability in a metacommunity of stream invertebrates across multiple, contrasting headwaters in central Wales (UK). Prolonged warmer and wetter conditions during positive NAO winters appeared to synchronize variations in population and community composition among and within streams thereby reducing stability across levels of ecological organization. This climatically mediated synchronization occurred in all streams irrespective of acid-base status and land use, but was weaker where invertebrate communities were more functionally diverse. Wavelet linear models indicated that variation in the NAO explained up to 50% of overall synchrony in species abundances at a timescale of 4-6 years. The NAO appeared to affect ecological dynamics through local variations in temperature, precipitation and discharge, but increasing hydrochemical variability within sites during wetter winters might have contributed. Our findings illustrate how large-scale climatic fluctuations generated over the North Atlantic can affect population persistence and dynamics in inland freshwater ecosystems in ways that transcend local catchment character. Protecting and restoring functional diversity in stream communities might increase their stability against warmer, wetter conditions that are analogues of ongoing climate change. Catchment management could also dampen impacts and provide options for climate change adaptation.

Quantitative and qualitative saccharide analysis of North Atlantic brown seaweed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and infrared spectroscopy.

Brown seaweeds contain a variety of saccharides which have potential industrial uses. The most abundant polysaccharide in brown seaweed is typically alginate, consisting of mannuronic (M) and guluronic acid (G). The ratio of these residues fundamentally determines the physicochemical properties of alginate. In the present study, gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) was used to give a detailed breakdown of the monosaccharide species in North Atlantic brown seaweeds. The anthrone method was used for determination of crystalline cellulose. The experimental data was used to calibrate multivariate prediction models for estimation of total carbohydrates, crystalline cellulose, total alginate and alginate M/G ratio directly in dried, brown seaweed using three types of infrared spectroscopy, using relative error (RE) as a measure of predictive accuracy. Diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS) performed well for the estimation of total alginate (RE = 0.12, R2 = 0.82), and attenuated total reflectance (ATR) showed good prediction of M/G ratio (RE = 0.14, R2 = 0.86). Both DRIFTS, ATR and near infrared (NIR) were unable to predict crystalline cellulose and only DRIFTS performed better in determining total carbohydrates. Multivariate spectral analysis is a promising method for easy and rapid characterization of alginate and M/G ratio in seaweed.

Lagrangian tracking of long-lasting plastic tags: From lobster fisheries in the USA and Canada to Macaronesia.

Plastic waste from the fishing industry, particularly lobster trap identification tags from the USA and Canada, poses a significant threat to marine ecosystems due to its resilience. This study unveils a novel link between North American fisheries and the appearance of these plastic tags in Macaronesia. Collected in the Azores and Canary Islands, these tags offer a unique insight into the sources and spatio-temporal scales of marine plastic pollution. Ocean model data indicates the Labrador Current and Gulf Stream as key forces transporting these tags. Virtual particle simulations show a small fraction reaching Macaronesia (4.12 % in the Azores, 0.76 % in the Canary Islands), suggesting real ocean drift. The Azores, with more collected tags, are more susceptible, and tags can reach Macaronesia in under a year. These findings underscore the urgency of better waste management and emphasize the role of citizen science in monitoring and combating marine pollution.