In situ microplastics ingestion by Antarctic marine benthic invertebrates

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Hurley ◽  
Jorg Hardege ◽  
Katharina C. Wollenberg Valero ◽  
Simon Morley
Keyword(s):  
Benthic Invertebrates ◽  
Marine Invertebrates ◽  
Ethylene Vinyl Acetate ◽  
Feeding Strategies ◽  
Research Station ◽  
Polar Regions ◽  
Antarctic Marine ◽  
Marine Benthic Invertebrates ◽  
The Antarctic ◽  
Polymer Type

<p>Microplastics have been recognised as persistent marine contaminants and mounting evidence supports their designation as anthropogenic stressors to marine organisms. Despite the remoteness of Antarctica, microplastics contamination has been reported in every marine environment investigated in this area to date. Due to ocean currents and frontal systems, microplastics may become entrapped within polar regions and increase bioavailibilty to inhabiting fauna. Antarctic marine benthic invertebrates represent a research priority due to their sensitivity to change as well as contribution to ecological functioning and food webs. The current study investigated microplastics ingestion by the epifaunal, carnivorous polychaete <em>Barrukia cristata</em> and the infaunal, filter-feeding bivalve, <em>Laternula elliptica</em>. Animals were collected by SCUBA adjacent to Rothera research station, Adelaide Island. After digestion in 10 % potassium hydroxide (KOH) followed by filtration, microplastics ingested by individual animals were separated. Microplastics were then counted and characterised by shape, colour, size and polymer type by Micro-Fourier transform Infrared spectroscopy. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) was the most abundant polymer type, followed by polyacrylonitrile (PAN) and ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA). Congruent to earlier reports, fibres were found to be the most abundant source of microplastics contamination. However, it must be highlighted that fragments were also recovered from the animals analysed. Results determined the current level of microplastics ingestion by two benthic marine invertebrates of different feeding strategies in coastal environments of the Antarctic Peninsula. These findings indicated the bioavailability of microplastics and highlighted the potential of trophic transfer throughout the Antarctic marine food web.</p>

scholarly journals Bacteria Associated with Marine Benthic Invertebrates from Polar Environments: Unexplored Frontiers for Biodiscovery?

Diversity ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 80 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angelina Lo Giudice ◽  
Carmen Rizzo
Keyword(s):  
Benthic Invertebrates ◽  
Marine Invertebrates ◽  
Biologically Active ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Physiological Changes ◽  
Invertebrate Host ◽  
Cold Adapted ◽  
Marine Areas ◽  
Marine Benthic Invertebrates ◽  
Symbiotic Community

The ecological function of bacteria-invertebrate interactions in Polar areas remains poorly understood, despite increasing evidence that microbial metabolites may play pivotal roles in host-associated chemical defense and in shaping the symbiotic community structure. The metabolic and physiological changes that these organisms undergo in response to adapting to extreme conditions result in the production of structurally and functionally novel biologically active molecules. Deepening our knowledge on the interactions between bacteria and their invertebrate host would be highly helpful in providing the rationale for why (e.g., competition or cooperative purpose) and which (whether secondary metabolites, enzymes, or proteins) bioactive compounds are produced. To date, cold-adapted bacteria associated with marine invertebrates from the Arctic and Antarctica have not been given the attention they deserve and the versatility of their natural products remains virtually unexplored, even if they could represent a new attractive frontier in the search for novel natural compounds. This review is aimed at showcasing the diversity of cold-adapted bacteria associated with benthic invertebrates from Polar marine areas, highlighting the yet unexplored treasure they represent for biodiscovery.

scholarly journals Structure, function and molecular adaptations of haemoglobins of the polar cartilaginous fish Bathyraja eatonii and Raja hyperborea

2005 ◽  
Vol 389 (2) ◽  
pp. 297-306 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cinzia Verde ◽  
M. Cristina De Rosa ◽  
Daniela Giordano ◽  
Donato Mosca ◽  
Donatella De Pascale ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cartilaginous Fish ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Polar Regions ◽  
Seasonal Temperature ◽  
Physiological Adaptations ◽  
Antarctic Marine ◽  
Haem Protein ◽  
And Function ◽  
The Antarctic ◽  
Regional Histories

Cartilaginous fish are very ancient organisms. In the Antarctic sea, the modern chondrichthyan genera are poorly represented, with only three species of sharks and eight species of skates; the paucity of chondrichthyans is probably an ecological consequence of unusual trophic or habitat conditions in the Southern Ocean. In the Arctic, there are 26 species belonging to the class Chondrichthyes. Fish in the two polar regions have been subjected to different regional histories that have influenced the development of diversity: Antarctic marine organisms are highly stenothermal, in response to stable water temperatures, whereas the Arctic communities are exposed to seasonal temperature variations. The structure and function of the oxygen-transport haem protein from the Antarctic skate Bathyraja eatonii and from the Arctic skate Raja hyperborea (both of the subclass Elasmobranchii, order Rajiformes, family Rajidae) is reported in the present paper. These species have a single major haemoglobin (Hb 1; over 80% of the total). The Bohr-proton and the organophosphate-binding sites are absent. Thus the haemoglobins of northern and southern polar skates appear functionally similar, whereas differences were observed with several temperate elasmobranchs. Such evidence suggests that, in temperate and polar habitats, physiological adaptations have evolved along distinct pathways, whereas, in this case, the effect of the differences characterizing the two polar environments is negligible.

scholarly journals Juvenile morphology of the large Antarctic canopy-forming brown alga, Desmarestia menziesii J. Agardh

Polar Biology ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 42 (11) ◽  
pp. 2097-2103 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frithjof C. Küpper ◽  
Charles D. Amsler ◽  
Simon Morley ◽  
Bruno de Reviers ◽  
Aurelia Reichardt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antarctic Peninsula ◽  
Life Form ◽  
Research Station ◽  
Polar Regions ◽  
Marguerite Bay ◽  
Open Questions ◽  
Natural Range ◽  
The Antarctic ◽  
Adelaide Island ◽  
Desmarestia Menziesii

Abstract For many types of seaweeds in Polar Regions, open questions remain about how their life cycle contributes to their overall adaptation to the extreme abiotic environment. This applies in particular to the major canopy-forming brown algae in much of the Antarctic Peninsula of the genus Desmarestia, which was investigated here. Diving surveys around Rothera Research Station (Adelaide Island, Antarctica) during December 2017–February 2018 revealed the widespread presence of a hitherto-unknown life form of Desmarestia sp. of a tender, feather-like morphology. Further studies explored whether this could be (1) a new, hitherto undescribed Desmarestia species (2) a new record for the region of a known Desmarestia species previously recorded elsewhere or (3) a so-far unknown life form of a species recorded for the region. Collections enabled the extraction of PCR-friendly DNA and sequencing of ITS1, which unambiguously showed that the samples belonged to Desmarestia menziesii, the only Desmarestia species presently recorded for the Adelaide Island/Marguerite Bay region. The presence of the juvenile morphology was subsequently confirmed throughout much of the natural range of D. menziesii during cruise-based diving surveys along the Western Antarctic Peninsula in 2019 and from collections at Anvers Island in 1989. Our collections thus constitute its juvenile morphology, which is not previously documented in the literature. The wider significance for the Polar seaweeds is discussed in the context of Taxonomy and Ecology.

scholarly journals A Minireview on Biodiscovery in Antarctic Marine Benthic Invertebrates

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Conxita Avila ◽  
Carlos Angulo-Preckler
Keyword(s):  
Natural Products ◽  
Neurodegenerative Diseases ◽  
Benthic Invertebrates ◽  
Marine Natural Products ◽  
Antimicrobial Activities ◽  
Supply Problem ◽  
Antarctic Marine ◽  
Marine Benthic Invertebrates ◽  
Near Future ◽  
Potential Use

Antarctic marine benthic invertebrates are an underexplored source of natural products for biodiscovery. Bioactive marine natural products from Antarctica are reviewed here for their potential use as drugs, considering the main examples in Porifera (15 species), Cnidaria (eight species), Mollusca (one species), Bryozoa (one species), Nemertea (one species), Echinodermata (six species), and Tunicata (five species). A wide variety of bioactivities are reported here, from antitumoral to antimicrobial activities, as well as against neurodegenerative diseases and others. If we aim to use their chemodiversity for human benefits we must maintain the biodiversity, solving the supply problem, speeding up the process, and decreasing research costs to fully exploit the benefits of biodiscovery in Antarctic Marine Natural Products in a near future in a sustainable way.

scholarly journals Field evidence for microplastic interactions in marine benthic invertebrates

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefania Vecchi ◽  
Jessica Bianchi ◽  
Massimiliano Scalici ◽  
Fabrizio Fabroni ◽  
Paolo Tomassetti
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Benthic Invertebrates ◽  
Feeding Strategies ◽  
Filter Feeder ◽  
Hermodice Carunculata ◽  
Field Evidence ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Almost All ◽  
Marine Benthic Invertebrates ◽  
The Impact

AbstractMicroplastics represent an important issue of concern for marine ecosystems worldwide, and closed seas, such as the Mediterranean, are among the most affected by this increasing threat. These pollutants accumulate in large quantities in benthic environments causing detrimental effects on diverse biocenoses. The main focus of this study is on the ‘polychaetes-microplastics’ interactions, particularly on two species of benthic polychaetes with different ecology and feeding strategies: the sessile and filter feeder Sabella spallanzanii (Gmelin, 1791) and the vagile carnivorous Hermodice carunculata (Pallas, 1766). Since not standardized protocols are proposed in literature to date, we compared efficiencies of diverse common procedures suitable for digesting organic matter of polychaetes. After the definition of an efficient digestion protocol for microplastics extraction for both polychaetes, our results showed high microplastics ingestion in both species. Microplastics were found in 42% of individuals of S. spallanzanii, with a mean of 1 (± 1.62) microplastics per individual, in almost all individuals of H. carunculata (93%), with a mean of 3.35 (± 2.60). These significant differences emerged between S. spallanzanii and H. carunculata, is probably due to the diverse feeding strategies. The susceptibility to this pollutant makes these species good bioindicators of the impact of microplastics on biota.

Energy Values of Marine Benthic Invertebrates from the Western English Channel

1989 ◽  
Vol 69 (3) ◽  
pp. 589-595 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean-Claude Dauvin ◽  
Michelle Joncourt
Keyword(s):  
Benthic Invertebrates ◽  
Marine Invertebrates ◽  
Cold Water ◽  
Energy Content ◽  
English Channel ◽  
Temperate Water ◽  
Macrobenthic Communities ◽  
Number Of Species ◽  
Marine Benthic Invertebrates

Energy values of many cold-water marine invertebrates are available (see Wacasey & Atkinson, 1987 and Brey et al, 1988), but energy values of temperate-water marine invertebrates have not been systematically investigated. In an attempt to determine the energy content of the macrobenthic communities from the bay of Morlaix (western English Channel), the caloric values in a large number of species living in these communities has been measured. This paper is presented as a contribution to the knowledge of the energy content of macrobenthic invertebrates from a temperate sea.

Biological Prospecting in Antarctica – A Solution-Based Approach to Regulating the Collection and Use of Antarctic Marine Biodiversity by Taking the BBNJ Process into Account

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-60
Author(s):  
Katharina Heinrich
Keyword(s):  
Biological Diversity ◽  
Sustainable Use ◽  
Extreme Environments ◽  
Marine Biodiversity ◽  
Polar Regions ◽  
United Nations General ◽  
Antarctic Marine ◽  
Antarctic Treaty ◽  
Convention On Biodiversity ◽  
The Antarctic

Areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ) are covering nearly two-thirds of the world’s oceans and are rich in biological diversity. These also include the Polar Regions, where marine organisms adapted to extreme environments and led to increased scientific interest and activities, including bioprospecting activities. As a result, marine biodiversity is increasingly threatened. Thus, the Convention on Biodiversity (CBD) was established to ensure the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity but left ABNJ and bioprospecting activities widely unregulated. In Antarctica, for instance, bioprospecting has raised concerns, and the matter has been discussed since 2002. As a result, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Resolution 69/292 concluded the establishment of a new international legally binding instrument (ILBI) on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity for ABNJ. However, the inclusion of the Antarctic Treaty Area remains unclear. In light of the current BBNJ negotiations, the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM) only acknowledges the Antarctic Treaty System (ATS) as the appropriate framework to regulate these activities in Antarctica. Further, it seems to aim for regulation under the ATS, if at all. Therefore, this paper discusses a solution-based approach for possible regulation of the collection and use of Antarctic marine biodiversity. The negotiations and achievements of the current BBNJ process will be taken into account, as they might provide support for the regulation of these issues in Antarctica and the Southern Ocean.

scholarly journals “Logrolling” in Antarctic governance: Limits and opportunities

Polar Record ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 56 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey McGee ◽  
Bruno Arpi ◽  
Andrew Jackson
Keyword(s):  
Marine Protected Areas ◽  
International Institutions ◽  
Marine Resources ◽  
International Governance ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Current Case ◽  
Antarctic Marine ◽  
Antarctic Treaty ◽  
Kunlun Station ◽  
The Antarctic

Abstract The Antarctic Treaty System (ATS) is considered a successful example of international governance as it has managed tensions over sovereignty claims, avoided militarisation and dealt with marine resources and environmental protection. Recently, China’s influence and assertiveness in many international institutions have significantly grown. What effect this shift in the international politics will have upon Antarctic governance remains to be seen. However, to further thinking on this issue we explore two current case studies that reveal pressure points within the ATS. First, in the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources, Australia has proposed marine protected areas off East Antarctica, to which China and several other states have objected. Second, in the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meetings, China has proposed special management arrangements for the area around the “Kunlun” station, to which Australia and several other states have objected. Negotiation theory suggests “logrolling” (i.e. trade of mutual decision-making support across issue areas) can be an effective strategy to avoid diplomatic deadlocks. We therefore consider the merits of a logrolling strategy for the above issues. We find that while a logrolling strategy in the ATS might facilitate short-term diplomatic success, it would carry significant risks, including the weakening of existing norms.

Dispersal of marine benthic invertebrates through ice rafting

Ecology ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 94 (1) ◽  
pp. 250-256 ◽  
Author(s):  
Colin B. A. Macfarlane ◽  
David Drolet ◽  
Myriam A. Barbeau ◽  
Diana J. Hamilton ◽  
Jeff Ollerhead
Keyword(s):  
Benthic Invertebrates ◽  
Ice Rafting ◽  
Marine Benthic Invertebrates
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