Journal article
Plastic contamination of a Galapagos Island (Ecuador) and the relative risks to native marine species
Science of the Total Environment, Vol.789(61), pp.1-13
2021
PMID: 34049146
Abstract
Ecuador's Galapagos Islands and their unique biodiversity are a global conservation priority. We explored the presence, composition and environmental drivers of plastic contamination across the marine ecosystem at an island scale, investigated uptake in marine invertebrates and designed a systematic priority scoring analysis to identify the most vulnerable vertebrate species. Beach contamination varied by site (macroplastic 0–0.66 items·m−2, microplastics 0–448.8 particles·m−2 or 0–74.6 particles·kg−1), with high plastic accumulation on east-facing beaches that are influenced by the Humboldt Current. Local littering and waste management leakages accounted for just 2% of macroplastic. Microplastics (including anthropogenic cellulosics) were ubiquitous but in low concentrations in benthic sediments (6.7–86.7 particles·kg−1) and surface seawater (0.04–0.89 particles·m−3), with elevated concentrations in the harbour suggesting some local input. Microplastics were present in all seven marine invertebrate species examined, found in 52% of individuals (n = 123) confirming uptake of microplastics in the Galapagos marine food web. Priority scoring analysis combining species distribution information, IUCN Red List conservation status and literature evidence of harm from entanglement and ingestion of plastics in similar species identified 27 marine vertebrates in need of urgent, targeted monitoring and mitigation including pinnipeds, seabirds, turtles and sharks.
Details
- Title
- Plastic contamination of a Galapagos Island (Ecuador) and the relative risks to native marine species
- Authors
- Jen S Jones (Author) - University of ExeterAdam Porter (Author) - University of ExeterJuan Pablo Muñoz-Pérez (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science, Technology and EngineeringDaniela Alarcón-Ruales (Author) - Universidad San Francisco de QuitoTamara S Galloway (Author) - University of ExeterBrendan J Godley (Author) - University of ExeterDavid Santillo (Author) - University of ExeterJessica Vagg (Author) - University of ExeterCeri Lewis (Author) - University of Exeter
- Publication details
- Science of the Total Environment, Vol.789(61), pp.1-13
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Date published
- 2021
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.147704
- ISSN
- 1879-1026
- PMID
- 34049146
- Copyright note
- © 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
- Organisation Unit
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Science, Technology and Engineering
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99533807902621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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