Microplastics (MPs) become ubiquitous contaminants in Marine Protected Areas (MPA) that have been planned as a conservation strategy. The present study provides a comprehensive overview of the ...occurrence, abundance, and distribution of MPs potentially affecting MPA worldwide. Data on MP occurrence and levels in sediment and biota samples were collected from recent peer-reviewed literature and screened using a GIS-based approach overlapping MP records with MPA boundaries. MPs were found in 186 MPAs, with levels ranging from 0 to 9187.5 items/kg in sediment and up to 17,461.9 items/kg in organisms. Peaked MPs concentrations occurred within multiple-use areas, and no-take MPAs were also affected. About half of MP levels found within MPA fell into the higher concentration quartiles, suggesting potential impacts on these areas. In general, benthic species were likely more affected than pelagic ones due to the higher concentrations of MP reported in the tissues of benthic species. Alarmingly, MPs were found in tissues of two threatened species on the IUCN Red List. The findings denote urgent concerns about the effectiveness of the global system of protected areas and their proposed conservation goals.
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•177 articles provided 2745 records on microplastic (MP) contamination.•GIS-based vector analysis was used to overcome the boundary limits of MPAs.•MPs was found in 186 MPAs worldwide and in 2 threatened species.•High MPs levels reached multiple-use areas, but no-take MPAs were also affected.•The conservation goals of MPA contaminated by MP may be threatened.
•Degradability and greenwash practices were assessed in commercial plastic products.•Most samples were not degradable in sea water despite claiming a sustainable status.•Greenwashing practices as ...hidden trade-off, no proof and vagueness were detected.•Misleading purchase decision and improper plastic disposal are harmful consequences.•Strategies should be adopted to avoid this environmental rip off.
Concerns about plastic pollution and global public policies have encouraged consumers to acquire environmentally friendly products. Thus, products made of biodegradable plastics have been preferred by the public, despite their costs. However, greenwashing practices, promising more environmental benefits than the products actually offer, has become frequent. Nevertheless, no studies assessing the occurrence of greenwashing in commercial plastic products sold in large world economies have been performed. The present study aimed to experimentally evaluate alterations in structure and chemical composition of selected plastic products marketed in Canada, USA and Brazil. The aging experiments carried out by seawater immersion for 180 days showed no evidence of degradation in 4 out of the 6 studied samples, despite product claims of biodegradability or 100% degradability status. This finding denotes unequivocal greenwashing practices, even including bags made of polyethylene, an ordinary non-biodegradable polymer. Thus, the inadequate adoption of green marketing is deceiving to consumers and may lead to improper disposal of these materials. These practices are highly counterproductive in view of the global public policies recently adopted to control plastic pollution. Therefore, considering the technologies currently available for identification of polymers, a strict control should be exercised over products that claim biodegradable status.
Tributyltin (TBT) environmental concentrations as well as imposex levels have been declining in several coastal areas worldwide. However, recent studies have shown that TBT contamination is still an ...important issue along some Latin American coastal areas. Thus, the incidence of imposex and butyltin compounds (BTs) in sediments and gastropod tissues was spatially and temporally (2009 and 2012) appraised in Lima (Peru) along potential TBT sources (harbors and marinas). Despite the general pattern of reduction close to Callao harbor, a clear increment in the levels of imposex (RPLI = 0.0 to 8.4 and 0.0 to 28.4/VDSI = 0.0 to 3.3 and 0.0 to 3.5) and TBT in tissues (25 to 112 and 62 to 146 ng Sn g−1) of Thaisella chocolata were seen from 2009 to 2012 in two sampling sites, respectively, located nearby a newly established marina. Thus, despite the international restrictions on the use of TBT-based antifouling paints are apparently reducing the inputs at international harbors, the present study clearly shows that marinas are still acting as important sources of TBT to the study area due possibly to the lack of legal restrictions on production, trading and/or use of TBT. The present findings reinforce what has been seen along many other Latin American coastal areas.
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•Temporal trends of imposex and butyltin were evaluated along TBT sources in Peru.•TBT and imposex levels decreased in areas close to Callao commercial harbor.•TBT and imposex levels increased after establishment of a new marina.•Marinas are becoming important potential sources of fresh TBT contamination.•Nationwide regulations on production, trade and use of TBT are needed.
This study aimed to report personal protective equipment (PPE) contamination in Santos beaches (Brazil) using standardized procedures for the first time while comparing two periods to understand the ...progression of PPE contamination. The occurrence of PPE items was ubiquitous in all sampled sites, although the densities were relatively low compared to those in other parts of the world. Unlike previous studies, reusable face masks were the most common type of PPE. PPE density in the studied areas was similar in both sampling seasons, probably because of the influence of tourism, urbanization, and local hydrodynamic aspects. PPE items can release microfibers into the aquatic environment and pose entanglement hazards to marine biota. A wider monitoring of PPE pollution, accompanied by surveys on PPE usage and behavior, as well as chemical characterization of the discarded PPE items, is needed to fully understand this unprecedented form of plastic pollution.
•Personal protective equipment (PPE) was monitored in two seasons in Santos Bay.•A total of 118 items were found with a mean of 21.8 items per sampling campaign.•The most abundant type of PPE was reusable face mask, followed by surgical.•No apparent changes were observed between the two sampling seasons.•PPE items may pose environmental threats and be a source of microplastics.
The present study is a literature-based analysis investigating occurrence and the possible consequences of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in marine protected areas (MPAs) of Latin America and ...Caribbean. The approach using overlapping of georeferenced MPA polygons with data compiled from peer-reviewed literature, published during the last 15 years, showed 341 records of PAH in 9 countries. PAH was reported to occur within the boundaries of 36 MPAs located in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, Nicaragua and Uruguay. According to quality guidelines, low to moderate impacts are expected in MPAs categorized in different management classes. Considering sediment samples, 13% of the records presented concentrations enough to cause occasional toxicity. Such level of risk was also seen in Ramsar sites and in Amazonian MPAs. In addition, based on concentrations reported in biota, occasional deleterious effects on organisms from Biosphere Reserves might occur. Diagnostic ratios pointed out petrogenic and pyrolytic processes as PAH predominant sources, and were mainly attributed to the proximity to ports, industries and urban areas. MPAs located in the vicinity of impact-generating areas may be under threat and require government attention and action, mainly through implementation of contamination monitoring programs.
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•PAH occurrence was seen by 341 records in 36 MPA of Latin America and Caribbean.•Affected MPA were seen in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, Nicaragua and Uruguay.•Low to moderate effects upon organisms were suggested to occur in such MPA.•Petrogenic and pyrolytic processes were predominant sources.•Conservancy goals might be under threat in Latin America.
The conservancy goals of MPA from Latin America and Caribbean, located in the vicinity of impact-generating areas, are under threat due to PAH contamination.
Despite the fact that the occurrence of emerging contaminants in the environment has become frequent in recent decades, the seasonal dynamics of contaminants in different environmental compartments ...are little studied in protected areas influenced by effluent discharges. In this study, the seasonal and spatial occurrence of 33 pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) was investigated in surface waters and sediments from Anil and Bacanga rivers (northeast of Brazil). The studied area is located within a Wetland of International Importance by Ramsar Convention (Amazon Estuary and its Mangroves). Sample preparation was carried out using solid-phase extraction and QuEChERS, for water and sediment samples, respectively and all determinations were performed by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Eleven PPCPs were detected in water samples and 14 in sediments. In aqueous samples, caffeine was the most occurring compound reaching 13,798 ng L−1. In addition, high levels of acetaminophen, ibuprofen, sulfamethoxazole, carbamazepine and diclofenac were also observed. In the sediment samples, triclocarban, benzophenone-3, ketoconazole and methylparaben were also detected. The spatial and temporal distribution of the assessed molecules indicates urbanization and anthropic activities as relevant sources of PPCPs in the region. Moreover, the levels of acetaminophen, caffeine, diclofenac, ibuprofen, benzophenone-3, triclosan and triclocarban measured within the Ramsar site pose a high risk to aquatic and terrestrial organisms. These findings indicate potential threats to the allegedly protected biodiversity and, therefore, urgent actions are needed to effectively protect this unique and vulnerable area.
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•20 PPCPs were detected in environmental samples obtained in a Ramsar site from Brazil.•WWTPs outfalls are the main source of PPCPs in the studied area.•Seasonal variations were observed, with increase of PPCPs in the dry season.•Distribution coefficients sediment/water were determined.•Risk assessment was carried out and 7 PPCPs present RQ > 1.
Filter-feeder organisms such as oyster and mussels are exposed to particles like microplastics (MPs). Although widely used to monitor MPs contamination, little is known about their performance as ...sentinels, which are biological monitors accumulating contaminants without significant adverse effects. This study comparatively evaluated the quantitative and qualitative accumulation of MPs by oysters (Crassostrea brasiliana) and mussels (Perna perna) along a gradient of contamination in a highly urbanized estuarine system of Brazil. In the most contaminated site, both species presented the worst status of nutrition and health, and also one of the highest MPs levels reported for molluscs to date (up to 44.1 particles·g−1). Despite some inter-specific differences, oysters and mussels were suitable and showed an equivalent performance as sentinels, reflecting the gradient condition demonstrated for other contaminants in the region. The similarity in MPs accumulation was also observed for qualitative aspects (polymer composition, sizes, shapes and colors). Particles were mostly <1000 μm, fibrous, colorless and composed by cellulose and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). Thus, despite small variations, the usage of C. brasiliana and P. perna is recommended and provides reliable information for environmental levels of microplastics.
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•Microplastic (MPs) levels in oysters and mussels were assessed in field conditions.•Gradients of MPs contamination along the estuary were seen for both species.•The highest MPs levels ever reported for molluscs were recorded.•Concentrations, polymer composition, size, shapes and colors of MPs were similar.•Oysters and mussels showed an equivalent performance as sentinels of MPs.
Effects of contamination on aquatic organisms have been investigated and employed as biomarkers in environmental quality assessment for years. A commonly referenced aquatic organism, mollusks ...represent a group of major interest in toxicological studies. Both gastropods and bivalves have external mineral shells that protects their soft tissue from predation and desiccation. These structures are composed of an organic matrix and an inorganic matrix, both of which are affected by environmental changes, including exposure to hazardous chemicals. This literature review evaluates studies that propose mollusk shell alterations as biomarkers of aquatic system quality. The studies included herein show that changes to natural variables such as salinity, temperature, food availability, hydrodynamics, desiccation, predatory pressure, and substrate type may influence the form, structure, and composition of mollusk shells. However, in the spatial and temporal studies performed in coastal waters around the world, shells of organisms sampled from multi-impacted areas were found to differ in the form and composition of both organic and inorganic matrices relative to shells from less contaminated areas. Though these findings are useful, the toxicological studies were often performed in the field and were not able to attribute shell alterations to a specific molecule. It is known that the organic matrix of shells regulates the biomineralization process; proteomic analyses of shells may therefore elucidate how different contaminants affect shell biomineralization. Further research using approaches that allow a clearer distinction between shell alterations caused by natural variations and those caused by anthropogenic influence, as well as studies to identify which molecule is responsible for such alterations or to determine the ecological implications of shell alterations, are needed before any responses can be applied universally.
•26 mollusks species exhibited shell alterations related to chemical contamination.•Changes in form and in shell matrices have been used as assessment endpoints.•Proteomic techniques can help elucidate the pathways inducing shell alterations.•Bias results of non-anthropogenic factors should be assessed before use this tool.
Antifouling paints incorporate biocides in their composition seeking to avoid or minimize the settlement and growing of undesirable fouling organisms. Therefore, biocides are released into the ...aquatic environments also affecting several nontarget organisms and, thus, compromising ecosystems. Despite global efforts to investigate the environmental occurrence and toxicity of biocides currently used in antifouling paints, the specific active ingredients that have been used in commercial products are poorly known. Thus, the present study assessed the frequencies of occurrence and relative concentrations of biocides in antifouling paint formulations registered for marketing worldwide. The main data were obtained from databases of governmental agencies, business associations, and safety data sheets from paint manufacturers around the world. The results pointed out for 25 active ingredients currently used as biocides, where up to six biocides have been simultaneously used in the examined formulations. Cuprous oxide, copper pyrithione, zinc pyrithione, zineb, DCOIT, and cuprous thiocyanate were the most frequent ones, with mean relative concentrations of 35.9 ± 12.8%, 2.9 ± 1.6%, 4.0 ± 5.3%, 5.4 ± 2.0%, 1.9 ± 1.9%, and 18.1 ± 8.0% (w/w) of respective biocide present in the antifouling paint formulations. Surprisingly, antifouling paints containing TBT as an active ingredient are still being registered for commercialization nowadays. These results can be applied as a proxy of biocides that are possibly being used by antifouling systems and, consequently, released into the aquatic environment, which can help to prioritize the active ingredients that should be addressed in future studies.
