Plastic pollution poses a significant threat to oceans and marine life globally. Microscopic plastic particles entering aquatic environments can disrupt benthic communities by altering their distribution and activity. Despite the undoubtedly harmful long-term effects on microbiota, the impact of microplastics, chemicals, and synthetic molecules on marine microorganisms remains poorly investigated (Baztan et al., 2018; De Sá et al., 2018). Benthic foraminifera are crucial components of marine ecosystems, playing key roles in ecosystem functioning and biogeochemical cycles. Their sensitivity and rapid response to environmental stress make them effective environmental indicators of past and present changes. To better understand the effects of emerging pollutants on oceans and their interaction with marine organisms, we studied the impacts of plastics and bio-accessible plasticizers (specifically DEHP, bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate) on selected benthic foraminiferal species using μ-FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared) spectromicroscopy. Our analysis revealed the following key findings: i) certain foraminifera species (Cibicidoides lobatulus, Rosalina bradyi, and Textularia bocki) can grow on plastic remnants; ii) plastic-related molecules and debris can be incorporated into the cytoplasm and tests of foraminifera, altering biomineralization processes; iii) DEHP can be incorporated into the cytoplasm of calcareous foraminifera cultured in vitro (Rosalina globularis), potentially entering biogeochemical cycles (Birarda et al., 2021). We hypothesize that plastic waste and associated additives may affect the biomineralization process in foraminifera, compounding the effects of ocean acidification and potentially reducing their biogenic carbon (C) storage capacity. Furthermore, we conducted experiments exposing benthic foraminifera to high concentrations of DEHP over three months in sediment cores from the Santa Gilla lagoon (Cagliari, Italy) and comparing them with the foraminifera from other cores that were left in natural conditions. After the experiment, surviving benthic foraminifera were cataloged. Gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry was used to identify and quantify plastic pollutants in the lagoon sediment. Next steps will involve the study of the incorporation of plastic pollutants into foraminiferal tests and the possible modifications in foraminifera shell (e.g., changes in density) using Scanning Transmission X-ray Microscopy, Low Energy X-ray Fluorescence, and X-ray computed microtomography. These analyses will validate foraminifera as reliable proxies for monitoring ongoing human-generated pollutants. The presence of associated molecules in foraminiferal shells (such as total particulate matter and plastic) could provide insights into anthropogenic pollution history spanning several decades, given foraminifera’s ability to fossilize.
Response of benthic foraminifera to plastic pollution
Buosi C.
;Casu M. A.;De Giudici G.;Marras P. A.;Medas D.;Onnis P.;Pili S.;Pivetta T.;
2024-01-01
Abstract
Plastic pollution poses a significant threat to oceans and marine life globally. Microscopic plastic particles entering aquatic environments can disrupt benthic communities by altering their distribution and activity. Despite the undoubtedly harmful long-term effects on microbiota, the impact of microplastics, chemicals, and synthetic molecules on marine microorganisms remains poorly investigated (Baztan et al., 2018; De Sá et al., 2018). Benthic foraminifera are crucial components of marine ecosystems, playing key roles in ecosystem functioning and biogeochemical cycles. Their sensitivity and rapid response to environmental stress make them effective environmental indicators of past and present changes. To better understand the effects of emerging pollutants on oceans and their interaction with marine organisms, we studied the impacts of plastics and bio-accessible plasticizers (specifically DEHP, bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate) on selected benthic foraminiferal species using μ-FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared) spectromicroscopy. Our analysis revealed the following key findings: i) certain foraminifera species (Cibicidoides lobatulus, Rosalina bradyi, and Textularia bocki) can grow on plastic remnants; ii) plastic-related molecules and debris can be incorporated into the cytoplasm and tests of foraminifera, altering biomineralization processes; iii) DEHP can be incorporated into the cytoplasm of calcareous foraminifera cultured in vitro (Rosalina globularis), potentially entering biogeochemical cycles (Birarda et al., 2021). We hypothesize that plastic waste and associated additives may affect the biomineralization process in foraminifera, compounding the effects of ocean acidification and potentially reducing their biogenic carbon (C) storage capacity. Furthermore, we conducted experiments exposing benthic foraminifera to high concentrations of DEHP over three months in sediment cores from the Santa Gilla lagoon (Cagliari, Italy) and comparing them with the foraminifera from other cores that were left in natural conditions. After the experiment, surviving benthic foraminifera were cataloged. Gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry was used to identify and quantify plastic pollutants in the lagoon sediment. Next steps will involve the study of the incorporation of plastic pollutants into foraminiferal tests and the possible modifications in foraminifera shell (e.g., changes in density) using Scanning Transmission X-ray Microscopy, Low Energy X-ray Fluorescence, and X-ray computed microtomography. These analyses will validate foraminifera as reliable proxies for monitoring ongoing human-generated pollutants. The presence of associated molecules in foraminiferal shells (such as total particulate matter and plastic) could provide insights into anthropogenic pollution history spanning several decades, given foraminifera’s ability to fossilize.
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