Can the bioturbation activity of the fiddler crab Minuca rapax modify the distribution of microplastics in sediments?
Mar Pollut Bull
; 180: 113798, 2022 Jul.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-35665620
ABSTRACT
Fiddler crabs are known as "eco-engineers" who maintain habitat health through sediment bioturbation. They regularly interact with microplastics (MPs) due to their contact with the sediment. In this study we compared MPs concentration between burrows and pellets resulting from bioturbation, and MPs bioaccumulation in the soft tissues of Minuca rapax (Smith, 1870), along a gradient of urbanization in Isla del Carmen, southern Gulf of Mexico. Overall, MPs shape and color in the pellets and in the tissues reflected those of the burrow's sediments. MPs were more abundant and diverse in burrows (9 ± 12 MPs.g-1) than in pellets (5 ± 5 MPs.g-1) or in the soft tissues (1.3 ± 1.2 MPs.g-1). Bioturbation can concentrate MPs in pellets and tissues, depending on the MPs contamination and urbanization level. M. rapax is an important structuring agent of sedimentary MPs, showing a strong top-down translocation of MPs in subtropical tidal flats.
Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Poluentes Químicos da Água
/
Braquiúros
Limite:
Animals
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Mar Pollut Bull
Ano de publicação:
2022
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de publicação:
ENGLAND
/
ESCOCIA
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GB
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GREAT BRITAIN
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INGLATERRA
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REINO UNIDO
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SCOTLAND
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UK
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UNITED KINGDOM