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Plastic contamination of the Galapagos marine food web and the relative risks to native species1.66 MB
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Preprint
Plastic contamination of the Galapagos marine food web and the relative risks to native species
Research Square, Vol.2 December 2020, pp.1-28
Research Square Company
2020
Abstract
Ecuador’s Galapagos Islands and their unique biodiversity are a global conservation priority. We investigated the presence, partitioning and environmental drivers of plastic contamination across the marine ecosystem, designing a systematic risk scoring analysis to identify the most vulnerable species. Beach contamination varied by site (macroplastic 0 - 0.66 items.m-2, large microplastics 0 - 448.8 particles.m-2, small microplastics 0 – 74.6 particles.kg-1), with high plastic accumulation on east-facing beaches indicating input from the Humboldt Current. Local littering and waste management leakages accounted for 2% of macroplastic. Microplastics (including synthetic cellulosics) were prevalent in 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 local input. Microplastics were present in all seven marine invertebrate species examined, found in 52% of individuals (n = 123). Risk scoring identified 32 species in need of urgent, targeted monitoring and mitigation including pinnipeds, seabirds, turtles, sharks and corals.
Details
- Title
- Plastic contamination of the Galapagos marine food web and the relative risks to native species
- Authors
- Jen Jones (Author) - University of ExeterAdam Porter (Author) - University of ExeterJuan Munoz Perez (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science and Engineering - LegacyDaniela E Alarcón-Ruales (Author) - Galapagos Science Center (Ecuador, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno) - GSCTamara Galloway (Author) - University of ExeterBrendan J Godley (Author) - University of ExeterDavid Santillo (Author) - Greenpeace Research LaboratoriesJessica Vagg (Author) - University of ExeterCeri Lewis (Author) - University of Exeter
- Publication details
- Research Square, Vol.2 December 2020, pp.1-28
- Publisher
- Research Square Company
- Date published
- 2020
- DOI
- 10.21203/rs.3.rs-111140/v1
- ISSN
- 2693-5015
- Copyright note
- This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License.
- Organisation Unit
- School of Science and Engineering - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Science, Technology and Engineering; External
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99492808902621
- Output Type
- Preprint
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