Do weathered microplastics impact the planktonic community? A mesocosm approach in the Baltic Sea.

Microplastics (MPs) are ubiquitous pollutants of increasing concern in aquatic systems. However, little is still known about the impacts of weathered MPs on plankton at the community level after long-term exposure. In this study, we investigated the effects of weathered MPs on the structure and dynamics of a Baltic Sea planktonic community during ca. 5 weeks of exposure using a mesocosm approach (2 m3) mimicking natural conditions. MPs were obtained from micronized commercial materials of polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, polystyrene, and polyamide (nylon) previously weathered by thermal ageing and sunlight exposure. The planktonic community was exposed to 2 µg L-1 and 2 mg L-1 of MPs corresponding to measured particle concentrations (10-120 µm) of 680 MPs L-1 and 680 MPs mL-1, respectively. The abundance and composition of all size classes and groups of plankton and chlorophyll concentrations were periodically analyzed throughout the experiment. The population dynamics of the studied groups showed some variations between treatments, with negative and positive effects of MPs exhibited depending on the group and exposure time. The abundance of heterotrophic bacteria, pico- and nanophytoplankton, cryptophytes, and ciliates was lower in the treatment with the higher MP concentration than in the control at the last weeks of the exposure. The chlorophyll concentration and the abundances of heterotrophic nanoflagellates, Astromoeba, dinoflagellate, diatom, and metazooplankton were not negatively affected by the exposure to MPs and, in some cases, some groups showed even higher abundances in the MP treatments. Despite these tendencies, statistical analyses indicate that in most cases there were no statistically significant differences between treatments over the exposure period, even at very high exposure concentrations. Our results show that weathered MPs of the studied conventional plastic materials have minimal or negligible impact on planktonic communities after long-term exposure to environmentally relevant concentrations.

Microplastic and mesoplastic pollution in surface waters and beaches of the Canary Islands: A review.

The Canary Archipelago is a group of volcanic islands located in the North Atlantic Ocean with high marine biodiversity. This archipelago intercepts the Canary Current, the easternmost branch of the Azores Current in the North Atlantic Subtropical Gyre, which brings large amounts of litter from remote sources via oceanic transportation. It is, therefore, particularly vulnerable to marine plastic pollution. Here, we present a review of the available studies on mesoplastics and microplastics in the Canary Islands over the last decade to evaluate the level and distribution of plastic pollution in this archipelago. Specifically, we focused on data from beaches and surface waters to assess the pollution level among the different islands as well as between windward and leeward zones, and the main characteristics (size, type, colour, and polymer) of the plastics found in the Canary Islands. The concentrations of meso- and MPs on beaches ranged from 1.5 to 2972 items/m2 with a mean of 381 ± 721 items/m2. The concentration of MPs (>200 µm) in surface waters was highly variable with mean values of 998 × 103 ± 3364 × 103 items/km2 and 10 ± 31 items/m3. Plastic pollution in windward beaches was one order of magnitude significantly higher than in leeward beaches. The accumulation of MPs in surface waters was higher in the leeward zones of the high-elevation islands, corresponding to the Special Areas of Conservation (ZECs) and where the presence of marine litter windrows (MLW) has been reported. Microplastic fragments of polyethylene of the colour category "white/clear/uncoloured" were the most common type of plastic reported in both beaches and surface waters. More studies on the occurrence of MLW in ZECS and plastic pollution in the water column and sediments, including small-size fractions (<200 µm), are needed to better assess the level of plastic pollution and its fate in the Canary Islands. Overall, this review confirms that the Canary Archipelago is a hotspot of oceanic plastic pollution, with concentrations of MPs in surface waters in the highest range reported for oceanic islands and one of the highest recorded mean concentrations of beached meso- and microplastics in the world.

Ecospirituality and Health: A Systematic Review.

Environmental changes are affecting human health. A renewal of the way we understand and relate to the planet is needed. Ecospirituality brings together the terms spirituality and environment and is born as a means of solution to this dilemma. This systematic review aimed to find out the influence of ecospirituality on global health. A search of scientific literature was carried out in the main health science databases. A review was conducted to critically evaluate the studies that identified relevant ecospiritual aspects regarding health care for communities. After a systematic search and screening, and following specified methodological criteria, a total of 14 articles were selected in the review. The findings of the review suggest that a new perspective in our worldview such as ecospirituality will provide us with the necessary keys to improve health. To understand ecospirituality, we must keep in mind the indigenous way of life, which is the clear example to follow to achieve environmental health and global health. Ecospirituality leads to a healthier environment, and as this is directly related to health, there is also an improvement in global health.

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.

A nationwide monitoring of atmospheric microplastic deposition.

Plastic production continues to increase every year, yet it is widely acknowledged that a significant portion of this material ends up in ecosystems as microplastics (MPs). Among all the environmental compartments affected by MPs, the atmosphere remains the least well-known. Here, we conducted a one-year simultaneous monitoring of atmospheric MPs deposition in ten urban areas, each with different population sizes, economic activities, and climates. The objective was to assess the role of the atmosphere in the fate of MPs by conducting a nationwide quantification of atmospheric MP deposition. To achieve this, we deployed collectors in ten different urban areas across continental Spain and the Canary Islands. We implemented a systematic sampling methodology with rigorous quality control/quality assurance, along with particle-oriented identification and quantification of anthropogenic particle deposition, which included MPs and industrially processed natural fibres. Among the sampled MPs, polyester fibres were the most abundant, followed by acrylic polymers, polypropylene, and alkyd resins. Their equivalent sizes ranged from 22 µm to 398 µm, with a median value of 71 µm. The particle size distribution of MPs showed fewer large particles than expected from a three-dimensional fractal fragmentation pattern, which was attributed to the higher mobility of small particles, especially fibres. The atmospheric deposition rate of MPs ranged from 5.6 to 78.6 MPs m-2 day-1, with the higher values observed in densely populated areas such as Barcelona and Madrid. Additionally, we detected natural polymers, mostly cellulosic fibres with evidence of industrial processing, with a deposition rate ranging from 6.4 to 58.6 particles m-2 day-1. There was a positive correlation was found between the population of the study area and the median of atmospheric MP deposition, supporting the hypothesis that urban areas act as sources of atmospheric MPs. Our study presents a systematic methodology for monitoring atmospheric MP deposition.

Searching for hotspots of neustonic microplastics in the Canary Islands.

In this study, we investigated the concentration, distribution, and characteristics of neustonic MPs in the Canary Islands, with a particular focus on the island leeward zones, where a high accumulation of floating marine microplastics is expected. Samples were collected with a manta net at 15 different sites from Alegranza to La Gomera during the IMPLAMAC expedition. The microplastic concentration in surface waters ranged from 0.27 MPs/m3 in Alegranza to 136.7 MPs/m3 in the south of Gran Canaria. The highest concentration of MPs found was due to the presence of a sea-surface slick, also called "marine litter windrow", formed in the south of Gran Canaria. The most abundant zooplankton group in the neuston was copepods, except at the marine litter windrow where fish larvae and eggs predominated. This indicates that coastal areas where marine litter windrows are formed have a high risk of MP ingestion and potential adverse effects on biota.

Trophic transfer of DDE, BP-3 and chlorpyrifos from microplastics to tissues in Dicentrarchus labrax.

Microplastic pollution and associated chemical contaminants is a topic of growing interest. In recent years, the number of publications reporting the presence of microplastics (MPs) in marine organisms has increased exponentially. However, there is a gap in knowledge about the trophic transfer of contaminants from microplastics to animal tissues, as well as possible health effects. In this study we analyzed the trophic transfer and biomagnification of three chemical pollutants present in microplastics: dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE-p,p'), benzophenone 3 (BP-3) and chlorpyrifos (CPS). The reference values used were concentrations found in environmental microplastics in the Canary Islands (minimum and maximum). European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) were fed for 60 days with 5 different treatments: A) feed; B) feed with chemical pollutants at maximum concentration; C) feed + 10 % virgin MPs; D) feed + 10 % MPs with chemical pollutants at minimum concentration; E) feed + 10 % MPs with chemical pollutants at maximum concentration. We detected trophic transfer of DDE-p,p', CPS and BP-3 from the feed (treatment B) to the muscle and liver of fish. In the case of DDE-p,p', transfer to liver and muscle was also observed in the treatments consisting of feed plus plastics with different levels of contamination (C, D and E). No effect of the experimental treatments on fish condition indices was observed.

Microplastics ingestion and chemical pollutants in seabirds of Gran Canaria (Canary Islands, Spain).

Plastic pollution constitutes an environmental problem in the Canary Islands nowadays. Nevertheless, studies evaluating the impact of plastics on its avifauna are still scarce. Gastrointestinal tracts of 88 birds belonging to 14 species were studied for the presence of plastics. Moreover, their livers were analyzed for the determination of bromodiphenyl ethers (BDEs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs). Among Cory's shearwaters (n = 45), the frequency of occurrence of plastic ingestion was considerably high (88.89 %). This species had the highest mean value of items (7.22 ± 5.66) and most of them were compatible with lines derived from fishing gear. PCBs and PAHs were detected in all of the samples and OCPs in the great majority of them (98.86 %). Our results highlight the problems that plastic debris (mainly for seabirds) and organic pollutants pose to these species.

La sexualidad cuando se porta una ostomía. Una revisión de los estudios cualitativos entre 2012 y 2022 / Sexuality in persons with an ostomate. A review about qualitative investigations between 2012 and 2022

Introducción: portar un estoma ocasiona una afectación impactante a la persona a nivel integral. Las afectacio nes abarcan desde las fisiológicas a las psicológicas, emocionales, sociales y familiares. La sexualidad no queda al margen al verse alterada la anatomía, fisiología e imagen corporal de la perso na. Objetivo general: revisar los estudios de metodología cualitativa publicados entre 2012 y 2022 que se han publicado en español, inglés y portugués acerca de cómo se ve afectada la sexualidad de una persona al portar una ostomía. Me todología: se plantea una revisión biblio gráfica de diseño descriptivo y retrospec tivo en lengua castellana, inglés y portu gués entre agosto y septiembre de 2022 en las bases de datos Dialnet, Cuiden, Scielo, Lilacs, Pubmed, Science Direct y EBSCO. Resultados: las disfunciones fisiológicas y alteraciones anatómicas suponen una afectación de la imagen corporal que estigmatiza a la persona que porta una ostomía llegando a poder renunciar a su vida sexual por temor a lesionar el estoma o por afectación psi cológica siendo importante el papel de la enfermera estomaterapeuta para superar estos problemas. Conclusiones: se ha de atender al paciente que porta una osto mía de manera holista y durante todo el proceso quirúrgico y abordar la sexualidad sin tabúes. Se ve necesaria la inves tigación cualitativa para comprender me jor al paciente en este nuevo contexto (AU)

Introduction: carrying a stoma has a shocking affectation for a person at an integral level. The effects range from physiological to psychological, emotional, social and family. Sexuality is not left out when the person's anatomy, physiology and body image are altered. General ob jective: to review the qualitative methodo logy studies published between 2012 and 2022 that have been published in Spa nish, English and Portuguese on how a person's sexuality is affected by having an ostomy. Methodology: a bibliographic review of descriptive and retrospective design is proposed in Spanish, English and Portuguese between August and September 2022 in the Dialnet, Cuiden, Scielo, Lilacs, Pubmed, Science Direct and EBSCO databases. Results: the physiological dysfunctions and anatomi cal alterations imply an affectation of the body image that stigmatizes the person who carries an ostomy, being able to give up their sexual life due to fears of injuring the stoma or due to psychological affec tations, the role of the stomatherapist nurse being important to overcome these problems. Conclusions: the patient with an ostomy must be cared holistically and throughout the surgical process and se xuality must be approached without ta boos. Qualitative research is necessary to better understand the patient in this new context (AU)

Changes in the Chemical Composition of Edible Grasshoppers (Sphenarium purpurascens) Fed Exclusively with Soy Sprouts or Maize Leaves.

In recent times, insects have gained attention because of their nutritional characteristics as well as the environmental advantages of their production. In this research, the effect of the diet of grasshoppers (Sphenarium purpurascens) under controlled conditions on their chemical and nutritional content was studied. The insects were divided into two groups: maize leaf-fed grasshoppers (MFG) and soy sprout-fed grasshoppers (SFG). To evaluate the changes in composition, chemical analysis (protein, fiber, fat, ashes, and chitin) was carried out in triplicate according to AOAC procedures, and a Student's t-test was used to determine any significant differences. The results showed a higher content of crude protein, in vitro protein digestibility percentage, and sum of non-essential amino acids (NEAAs) in the MFG samples compared with the SFG samples. The total dietary fiber, insoluble dietary fiber, soluble dietary fiber, sum of the EAA, non-essential amino acid percentage (EAA%), and biological value percentage (BV%) were higher in the SFG than the MFG, while in the amino acid profile and chitin content, no significant differences were obtained, although an increase in oleic acid in the SFG was observed. In FTIR, a ß-sheet appeared in the SFG, which could be related to the low in vitro protein digestibility. The use of a soy sprout diet caused changes in the chemical composition and nutritional content of grasshoppers. This represents an opportunity to improve their nutritional value for commercial interests.

First inventory of marine debris on Alegranza, an uninhabited island in the Northeast Atlantic.

Alegranza is the most northerly island of the Canary Islands archipelago, the first obstacle crossed by the Canary Current. From July to October 2020, six expeditions were led to the island to make a first inventory of marine debris and its possible source and origin. In total, 3667 objects weighing 321 kg were removed, excluding wooden objects. Of these, 97.7% were plastics, the most abundant being drink bottles (25.4%). While knowing the origin, source and pathway of debris is difficult, legible labels provided valuable information. In Alegranza, 66.7% of the legible bottle labels indicated Asian countries of manufacture, which is evidence that the source is maritime traffic in the region. The lobster trap license labels from the east coast of the United States and Canada were dated from 1999 to 2018, supporting both the exogenous origin and long lifetime in the ocean of these debris.

Urgencia odontopediátrica asociada a Bola Adiposa de Bichat: informe de un caso / Pediatric dental emergency associated with Bichat ́s fat pad: a case report

Objetivo: Presentar la resolución quirúrgica de un caso clínico poco frecuente en un paciente pediátrico luego de ha- ber sufrido la herniación traumática de la Bola Adiposa de Bichat. Caso clínico: Un paciente de 3 años concurre a la guar- dia del Hospital Interzonal Especializado Materno Infantil "Don Victorio Tetamanti" de Mar del Plata, luego de haber sufrido un traumatismo que le provocó el desplazamiento par- cial de la Bola Adiposa de Bichat. Si bien este tipo de urgencias es poco frecuente, es impor- tante tener los conocimientos para un correcto diagnóstico y tratamiento (AU))

Aim: To present the surgical resolution of an infrequent clinical case in a pediatric patient who suffered traumatic herniation of Bichat's fat pad. Clinical case: A 3-year-old patient who visited the Emergency Service at the "Don Victorio Tetamanti" Hospital in Mar del Plata after suffering a trauma which caused the partial displacement of Bichat's fat pad. Although this type of emergency is quite rare, it is important to know how to per- form proper diagnosis and treatment (AU)

Ingestion of polyethylene microspheres occur only in presence of prey in the jellyfish Aurelia aurita.

Microplastic ingestion was studied in A. aurita, a bloom-forming, circumglobal medusa. Here, we determined whether factors such as the concentration of polyethylene microspheres (75-90 µm) or the absence/presence of prey affect the ingestion, duration of microspheres in the gastrovascular cavity (time of presence), and retention time. The presence of polyethylene microspheres' was determined by exposing medusae during 480 min to three different treatments (5000, 10,000, 20,000 particles L-1), and was checked every 10 min to ascertain whether they had incorporated any. Preliminary results show that microsphere ingestion occurred only in the presence of prey (⁓294 Artemia nauplii L-1). The time of presence of microbeads in A. aurita increased (103, 177, and 227 min), with increasing microplastic concentration, and the microbeads were egested within 150 min. This study initiates the understanding of the potential implications that arise of the encounter between jellyfish and microplastic agglomerates, and with perspectives for future research.

Bioaccumulation of additives and chemical contaminants from environmental microplastics in European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax).

Marine microplastic pollution is one of the biggest environmental problems we face. The growth of plastic production has not ceased since the 1950s and it is currently estimated that 368 tons of plastic were produced in 2019 (PlascticsEurope, 2020). Geyer et al. (2017) estimate that 79% of the plastic produced in the world still remains in the environment; this plastic due to the effect of degradation and subsequent fragmentation, is present in the form of microplastics in all oceans and, due to its small size can be ingested by fish and filter-feeding organisms. In addition, microplastics have additives and chemical contaminants associated with them, and the potential effect of microplastic ingestion on marine organisms, and through them, the potential risk to humans, is unknown. In the present study, European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) were fed for 60 days with three treatments: Control (feed), MP (feed with 10% virgin microplastics) and EMP (feed with 10% environmental microplastics), being the first study to evaluate long-term accumulation of contaminants due to ingestion of environmental microplastics (EMP) in fish. Both plastic additives such as PBDEs, and chemical contaminants adsorbed from the environment such as PCBs and DDE, were analyzed in the EMP, feed and liver. The concentration of microplastics in the feed was calculated based on the MPs/zooplankton wet weight (WW) ratio of 0.1 found in an area of maximum accumulation in the Canary Islands. Therefore, it is an experiment that simulates real conditions, but in the worst-case scenario, using both, concentrations based on data obtained in oceanographic campaigns and microplastics collected from the environment. Our results show that in this scenario, additives and chemical contaminants adsorbed on EMPs bioaccumulate in fish liver due to long-term ingestion of microplastics.

Impact of polypropylene microplastics and chemical pollutants on European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) gut microbiota and health.

Plastic pollution has become a global problem for marine ecosystems. Microplastics (MPs) are consumed by several marine organisms, including benthic and pelagic fish species that confuse them with food sources, thus contributing to bioaccumulation along the food chain. In addition to structural intestinal damage, ingestion of MPs represents a pathway for fish exposure to potentially hazardous chemicals, too. Most of them are endocrine disrupters, genotoxic or induce immune depression in fish. Accordingly, we assessed the combined toxicological effects of microplastics (MPs) and adsorbed pollutants by adding them to marine fish diet. European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) juveniles were fed for 60 days with feeds containing polypropylene MPs, either virgin or contaminated with chemical pollutants (a blend of dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene, chlorpyrifos, and benzophenone-3). The data demonstrated a synergic action of MPs and chemical pollutants to induce an inflammatory-like response in distal intestine of sea bass as shown by the up regulation of cytokine il-6 and tnf-α expression. Morphological analysis detected the presence of a focus of lymphocytes in anterior and posterior intestinal segments of fish fed with contaminants in the diet. With regard to microbiota, significant changes in bacterial species richness, beta diversity, and composition of gut microbiota were observed as a consequence of both pollutants and polluted MPs ingestion. These perturbations in gut microbial communities, including the reduction of beneficial lactic acid bacteria and the increase in potential pathogenic microorganism (Proteobacteria and Vibrionales), were undeniable signs of intestinal dysbiosis, which in turn confirmed the signs of inflammation caused by pollutants, especially when combined with MPs. The results obtained in this study provide, therefore, new insights into the potential risks of ingesting MPs as pollutant carriers in marine fish.

An annual study on plastic accumulation in surface water and sediment cores from the coastline of Tenerife (Canary Island, Spain).

Sediment core samples from high tide lines and in submerged zones as well as surface water samples from eight beaches of Tenerife were analysed. Sampling was conducted over a period of one year in intervals of 5 weeks. The majority of particles were found in the high tide sediment (66%), followed by water samples (23%) and finally in sediment from submerged zones (11%). Regarding the particle amount per volume (items/L), accumulation in sediment samples was statistically higher compared to water samples. Mean values of items/L were higher in high tide sediments. In high tide and water samples, mostly white and transparent particles >1 mm were found. More than 70% were represented by fragments. In sediments from submerged zones, yellow and blue microparticles (<1 mm) were predominant and 61.9% consisted of fibres. Larger particles were mainly identified as PP, PE, PS, PTFE and PVC, while polymer types of smaller particles were more variable.

Micro and Nano-Plastics in the Environment: Research Priorities for the Near Future.

Plastic litter dispersed in the different environmental compartments represents one of the most concerning problems associated with human activities. Specifically, plastic particles in the micro and nano size scale are ubiquitous and represent a threat to human health and the environment. In the last few decades, a huge amount of research has been devoted to evaluate several aspects of micro/nano-plastic contamination: origin and emissions, presence in different compartments, environmental fate, effects on human health and the environment, transfer in the food web and the role of associated chemicals and microorganisms. Nevertheless, despite the bulk of information produced, several knowledge gaps still exist. The objective of this paper is to highlight the most important of these knowledge gaps and to provide suggestions for the main research needs required to describe and understand the most controversial points to better orient the research efforts for the near future. Some of the major issues that need further efforts to improve our knowledge on the exposure, effects and risk of micro/nano-plastics are: harmonization of sampling procedures; development of more accurate, less expensive and less time-consuming analytical methods; assessment of degradation patterns and environmental fate of fragments; evaluating the capabilities for bioaccumulation and transfer to the food web; and evaluating the fate and the impact of chemicals and microorganisms associated with micro/nano-plastics. The major gaps in all sectors of our knowledge, from exposure to potentially harmful effects, refer to small size microplastics and, particularly, to the occurrence, fate and effects of nanoplastics.

Microplastics in marine biota: A review.

Plastics are the most important component in marine debris. In turn, within plastics, microplastics (<5 mm) are those that most affect marine biota. Thus, this review has as its main objective to show the current state of studies of microplastics, as well as to determine the groups of vertebrates most affected by microplastics, and the type and predominant color of microplastics. For this research, we review a total of 132 articles, from 2010 to May of 2020. Our results show that the group more affected are turtles with 88% of the specimens contaminated by microplastics and median of 121.73 particles/individue. The predominant type is fibers (67.3%), polymer is polyethylene (27.3%), size is less than 2 mm (73.6%), and color is blue (32.9%).

Evidence of microplastic ingestion by cultured European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax).

The presence of microplastics (MPs) in the marine environment is a concerning topic due to the ecotoxicological effects and possible seafood contamination. Data is needed to evaluate human exposure and assess risks, in the context of a healthy and beneficial seafood consumption. While microplastic ingestion by wild fish has been reported since the early 70's, farmed fish are rarely investigated. Here, for the first time the presence of microplastics in fish cultivated in the coastal water of Tenerife (Canary Island, Spain) was evaluated. From 83 examined individuals, 65% displayed microplastics in their gastrointestinal tracts, with averages between 0.6 ± 0.8 (SD) and 2.7 ± 1.85 (SD) particles per fish. The total number of microplastics detected was 119. Fibres (81%) and fragments (12%) were the predominant shapes. FTIR analysis showed that fibres were mostly composed by Cellulose (55%) and Nylon (27%), whereas fragments by PE (25%) and PP (25%).