Microplastic contamination of the drilling bivalve Hiatella arctica in Arctic rhodolith beds

Teichert S, Löder M, Pyko I, Mordek M, Schulbert C, Wisshak M, Laforsch C (2021)

Publication Type: Journal article, Original article

Publication year: 2021

Journal

Scientific Reports Nature Publishing Group: Open Access Journals - Option B

Book Volume: 11

Pages Range: 1-12

Article Number: 14574

DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-93668-w

Open Access Link: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-021-93668-w

Abstract

There is an increasing number of studies reporting microplastic (MP) contamination in the Arctic environment. We analysed MP abundance in samples from a marine Arctic ecosystem that has not been investigated in this context and that features a high biodiversity: hollow rhodoliths gouged by the bivalve Hiatella arctica. This bivalve is a filter feeder that potentially accumulates MPs and may therefore reflect MP contamination of the rhodolith ecosystem at northern Svalbard. Our analyses revealed that 100% of the examined specimens were contaminated with MP, ranging between one and 184 MP particles per bivalve in samples from two water depths. Polymer composition and abundance differed strongly between both water depths: samples from 40 m water depth showed a generally higher concentration of MPs and were clearly dominated by polystyrene, samples from 27 m water depth were more balanced in composition, mainly consisting of polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, and polypropylene. Long-term consequences of MP contamination in the investigated bivalve species and for the rhodolith bed ecosystem are yet unclear. However, the uptake of MPs may potentially impact H. arctica and consequently its functioning as ecosystem engineers in Arctic rhodolith beds.

Authors with CRIS profile

Sebastian Teichert Lehrstuhl für Paläoumwelt Ines Pyko Professur für Paläontologie (Schwerpunkt Faziesanalyse) Christian Schulbert Lehrstuhl für Paläoumwelt

Involved external institutions

Universität Bayreuth DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Teichert, S., Löder, M., Pyko, I., Mordek, M., Schulbert, C., Wisshak, M., & Laforsch, C. (2021). Microplastic contamination of the drilling bivalve Hiatella arctica in Arctic rhodolith beds. Scientific Reports, 11, 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-93668-w

MLA:

Teichert, Sebastian, et al. "Microplastic contamination of the drilling bivalve Hiatella arctica in Arctic rhodolith beds." Scientific Reports 11 (2021): 1-12.

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