BIOACCUMULATION OF MICROPLASTICS IN MARINE SPONGES OF THE GENUS TETHYA: EVIDENCE OF PLASTIC POLLUTION ON BEACHES OF THE COAST OF PERNAMBUCO, BRAZIL
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.56238/revgeov16n5-213Keywords:
Bioindicators, Anthropogenic Sources, Environmental Contamination, Reef Environments, Synthetic ParticlesAbstract
Microplastics are emerging pollutants widely distributed and persistent in the marine environment, representing a growing scientific concern. Marine sponges, as benthic filter-feeding organisms, accumulate particles present in the water column and serve as important bioindicators of contamination. This study identified and quantified microplastics in sponges of the genus Tethya collected from reef areas at the beaches of Boa Viagem, Paiva, and Porto de Galinhas, on the coast of Pernambuco, Brazil. Samples were manually collected during low tide and analyzed at the IATI Environmental Studies Laboratory following a protocol of organic matter digestion, filtration, and stereomicroscopic sorting. All sponges contained microplastics, totaling 1,806 particles, with a predominance of fibers especially blue fibers suggesting strong influence from urban and tourism-related anthropogenic sources. Boa Viagem exhibited the highest concentration of particles. The results confirm Tethya as an efficient biological model for biomonitoring, highlighting the need for mitigation actions along the coast of Pernambuco.
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