Concerns regarding plastic pollution, especially microplastics, have increased, as they can be present in different environmental compartments, including estuarine areas and saltmarshes. Although saltmarshes are highly vulnerable to human activities pressures, the ability trap/retain contaminants their vegetated sediments. However, there is still little information role of microplastic retention. Thus, study aims investigate capability an saltmarsh trap microplastics by comparing...

Fishes are one of the most important components oceans and exposed to several anthropogenic pressures, namely microplastic (MP), contaminants that now ubiquitous worldwide. Taking advantage 2020 Circumnavigation Expedition carried by NRP Sagres tall ship Portuguese Navy, fish samples from southern Atlantic ocean were collected evaluate possible MP contamination. In a total 14 weeks campaign, seven large migratory fishes commercial interest across middle Ocean along South American coast. All...

This study hypothesized whether microplastics (MPs) contamination of larval stages fishes starts at the commencement exogenous feeding phase and, secondly, estuarine fish species are more exposed to MPs pollution than marine ones. Hence, we assessed for first time, presence in two species, European sardine (Sardina pilchardus), a migrant and common goby (Pomatoschistus microps), an resident inhabiting Douro Estuary (NW Portugal). Both were contaminated with MPs, average 4.1 ± 3.6 (S....

This article presents a comprehensive dataset of physicochemical data from two urban estuaries on the northern Portuguese coast, based five sampling campaigns conducted between October 2021 and November 2022. The includes: a) in-situ vertical profiles water parameters (temperature, salinity, pH, turbidity, dissolved oxygen concentration saturation) collected at 8 stations along Lima estuary (during both ebb flood tides) 11 Douro tides); b) chemical analyses data, including nutrients...

Marine sediments and sessile biota (i.e. oysters) are nowadays recognised to be affected by microplastic (MP) pollution. NOAA proposes two distinct MP extraction protocols for sandy bed sediments, which, however, were already demonstrated suffer from many limitations. Conversely, what concern oysters, works published usually time consuming, requiring a KOH 24-48 h oxidation step. The aim of this study is show how iterative adaptation the protocol allows extract MPs, included PET, marine...

To evaluate the current microplastics (MPs) contamination on NW coast of Portugal, opportunistic samples from coastal areas with different levels anthropogenic impacts were analyzed. Water collected a marine protected area, an urban estuary, submarine wreck, and recreational marina. An optimized protocol for quantification MPs, followed by visual identification FTIR spectroscopy analysis was used to characterize MPs (polymer, type, size, color). found in all case studies. A total 2456 ​MPs...

One of the most used protocols to extract and quantify MPs is NOAA protocol in aquatic environments. However, there still no standardized method estuarine waters. The aim this work was adapt microplastics water provide all details changes improve efficiency method. For that, four types plastic (PE-LD; PET; PA; PE-HD) were artificial samples test steps protocol. Several criteria tested, namely: (i) quantities H2O2 for organic matter degradation; (ii) temperatures drying samples; (iii) density...

Larval stages of fishes are highly vulnerable to environmental shifts and anthropogenic pressures can pose additional stress such a critical phase. The present study aimed investigate controls on the larval fish assemblages Douro Estuary, heavily modified water body with several pressures. Monthly sampling surveys were conducted over two years along estuarine horizontal gradient. assemblage was dominated by few very abundant taxa. Resident Pomatoschistus microps members marine Clupeidae...

The present work aims to evaluate the MP contamination of zooplankton and its impact on trophic transfers at lower levels food web in a field study. During 1 year, seasonal surveys were conducted collect water samples from different sites two estuaries, Douro Lima estuaries (NW, Portugal). was quantified identified into major zooplanktonic groups. Dedicated protocols that had been previously optimized used assess presence most abundant groups (copepods chaetognaths). results showed MPs all...

Marine organisms are affected by the ubiquitous occurrence of microplastics (MPs) in environment. Several protocols have been described to extract and quantify MPs seafood, although their complex matrices, with high level fat, can compromise efficiency extraction. To solve this issue, present study aimed develop a detailed methodology suitable process seafood samples different levels namely fish molluscs, from fresh canned sources, including immersive liquids cans. Sample digestion was...

There is limited research on the occurrence of microplastics (MPs) in canned seafood. All types seafood investigated present study were contaminated. After sample digestion 30 % hydrogen peroxide, a total 40 MPs recovered. Fibers most common type, blue was dominant colour, and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) identified polyester as polymer. Considering all samples, an average 3.5 ± 5.2 MPs/can obtained, with octopus tomato sauce tuna olive oil presenting highest contamination...

The northern coast of the Iberian Peninsula is an important spawning and nursery area for several marine fish species, some which are economically exploited by fisheries under management plans. Larval stages highly sensitive to environmental change anthropogenic pressures, Marine Protected Areas (MPA) can help mitigate impacts on populations. This study investigated drivers temporal spatial patterns larval assemblages inhabiting a small coastal MPA along NW Portuguese Coast. Seasonal surveys...

The European flounder (Platichthys flesus) is a marine flatfish with high plasticity in several life-history traits, including spawning sites and habitat use patterns. With the overarching goal of understanding estuaries connection maturation reproduction adult flounder, this study investigates its reproductive cycle Douro Estuary (NW Portugal), at southern edge geographical distribution. Adults were caught by monthly trawling from November 2016 to 2017. Sex ratio length-weight relationships...

Two of the groups most impacted by microplastics (MPs) are zooplankton and fish larvae, either through MPs ingestion or absorption. Although there has been an increase studies focusing on these organisms, is still no standardized methodology for quantification present in plankton. For example, some reagents normally used to digest plankton recover appear adversely affect plastic characteristics. This can potentially lead underestimating amount types organisms analyzed. Hence, this work aimed...

Fish are one of the most important components ocean, playing relevant ecological roles and providing several ecosystem services. Large migratory fish, such as tunas, mackerels amberjacks, can function valuable indicators ocean health, since they top predators exposed to anthropogenic pressures, including pollution from different sources. Microplastics (MPs), small plastic particles (<5 mm), ubiquitous throughout world, occurring even in habitats with little pressure open sea waters. Taking...

The global production of plastics increased from 1.5 million tons in 1950 to 370 2020. Microplastics (MPs) are plastic particles smaller than 5 mm, with a concerning ubiquitous occurrence marine environments, posing risks wildlife and humans. Seafood is an important source proteins (including all the essential amino acids), other nutrients numerous health benefits. Human exposure MPs through consumption contaminated seafood, together potential these cause risks, motivating better...

In their early life stages, fish are highly susceptible to a wide range of biological and anthropogenic factors (e.g., habitat degradation or pollution) that can influence growth survival. Due size, microplastics (plastic particles with less than 5 mm) pose an additional threat larvae since size coincides prey size. The ingestion by cause gut blockage limit food intake, ultimately affect growth, reproduction, This study aimed evaluate the bioavailability quantify microplastic in urban...