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Microplastic burden in marine benthic invertebrates depends on species traits and feeding ecology within biogeographical provinces

Author

Listed:
  • Adam Porter

    (University of Exeter)

  • Jasmin A. Godbold

    (University of Southampton)

  • Ceri N. Lewis

    (University of Exeter)

  • Georgie Savage

    (University of Exeter)

  • Martin Solan

    (University of Southampton)

  • Tamara S. Galloway

    (University of Exeter)

Abstract

The microplastic body burden of marine animals is often assumed to reflect levels of environmental contamination, yet variations in feeding ecology and regional trait expression could also affect a species’ risk of contaminant uptake. Here, we explore the global inventory of individual microplastic body burden for invertebrate species inhabiting marine sediments across 16 biogeographic provinces. We show that individual microplastic body burden in benthic invertebrates cannot be fully explained by absolute levels of microplastic contamination in the environment, because interspecific differences in behaviour and feeding ecology strongly determine microplastic uptake. Our analyses also indicate a degree of species-specific particle selectivity; likely associated with feeding biology. Highest microplastic burden occurs in the Yellow and Mediterranean Seas and, contrary to expectation, amongst omnivores, predators, and deposit feeders rather than suspension feeding species. Our findings highlight the inadequacy of microplastic uptake risk assessments based on inventories of environmental contamination alone, and the need to understand how species behaviour and trait expression covary with microplastic contamination.

Suggested Citation

  • Adam Porter & Jasmin A. Godbold & Ceri N. Lewis & Georgie Savage & Martin Solan & Tamara S. Galloway, 2023. "Microplastic burden in marine benthic invertebrates depends on species traits and feeding ecology within biogeographical provinces," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-11, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:14:y:2023:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-023-43788-w
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43788-w
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Bradley J. Cardinale & J. Emmett Duffy & Andrew Gonzalez & David U. Hooper & Charles Perrings & Patrick Venail & Anita Narwani & Georgina M. Mace & David Tilman & David A. Wardle & Ann P. Kinzig & Gre, 2012. "Biodiversity loss and its impact on humanity," Nature, Nature, vol. 486(7401), pages 59-67, June.
    2. Denise M. Mitrano & Wendel Wohlleben, 2020. "Microplastic regulation should be more precise to incentivize both innovation and environmental safety," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 11(1), pages 1-12, December.
    3. Bradley J. Cardinale & J. Emmett Duffy & Andrew Gonzalez & David U. Hooper & Charles Perrings & Patrick Venail & Anita Narwani & Georgina M. Mace & David Tilman & David A.Wardle & Ann P. Kinzig & Gret, 2012. "Correction: Corrigendum: Biodiversity loss and its impact on humanity," Nature, Nature, vol. 489(7415), pages 326-326, September.
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