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A sampling campaign promoted by Greenpeace Italia, was performed along the Thyrrenian Coasts (Mediterranean Sea), collecting surface water, sediments and biota samples from sites characterized by different level of anthropogenic pressure (ports, river mouths, MPAs), in order to assess the composition and spatial distribution of MPs. Traditional devices (i.e. Manta net) were adopted to collect sea surface water and sediments samples (i.e. Van veen grab) at depth ranging between 10 and 20 meters. In addition, a Sequential Filtering DeviceSFD (300-100-20 µm mesh size) was used to filter water at different depths (from 5 to 10 meters). Organisms were collected in collaboration with local fishermen, selecting species from different habitats and trophic habits. MPs characterization has been supported by ATR-FTIR analyses. Results highlighted significant differences in MPs concentration along the water column, varying from 0.05 to 4.15 items/m3 in surface water, from 4 to 253 items/m3 in the 5-10 m layer, and from 7.75 to 53.59 items/Kg in sediment. The majority of particles were in the range 1-3 mm in all samples with an increase proportional to depth; microfibers were the most abundant shape in water column and sediment (98%-55%), compared to surface water (10%). Considering chemical composition, PE and PP were the most abundance polymer types for surface water and sea water column while PVC for sediments. As regards ingestion, an average of 2 MPs/specimen was reported for 40% of analyzed organisms. Most MPs extracted from tissues were in the size range of 500-100 µm and microfibers were confirmed also in the biotic compartment as the most frequently typology accounting for 88% of total MPs. This study confirms the vulnerability of the Mediterranean Sea to plastic pollution and suggests the need to perform surveys including different marine compartments to achieve a reliable monitoring strategy for MPs in marine environment. Also see: https://micro2022.sciencesconf.org/426834/document, In MICRO 2022, Online Atlas Edition: Plastic Pollution from MACRO to nano

Micro and nanoplastics are ubiquitous in the marine ecosystem, representing an emerging threat due to their small size able to be taken up by many organisms. The aim of this study was to investigate for the first time the micro and nanoplastics (MPs, NPs) ingestion and ecotoxicological effects in gelatinous zooplankton (Cnidarian jellyfish). With this aim, the ephyra stage of the Aurelia sp. jellyfish, recently suggested as valid model organisms in ecotoxicology, was exposed to both environmental and high concentrations (0.01-0.1–1-10 mg/L) of fluorescent 1–4 μm polyethylene MPs and 100 nm polystyrene NPs to evaluate ingestion and ecotoxicological endpoints, such as Immobility and Frequency of pulsations. After 24 and 48 hours, MP and NP ingestion was assessed by using a novel technique, namely three-dimensional (3D) holotomographic microscope. Polyethylene MPs and polystyrene NPs were detected in the gelatinous body and in the mouth. Only the ingestion of MPs affected jellyfish survival, while significant effects on pulsation frequency were observed in ephyrae exposed to both MPs and NPs. Finally, a "recovery test" was performed, exposing contaminated ephyrae with MPs and NPs to clean seawater. Full recovery in terms of the frequency of pulsations was obseerved after 72 h and 24 h from exposure to MPs and NPs, respectively. In conclusion, short-term exposure to MPs and NPs temporarily affects ephyrae jellyfish health, impairing in different manner their survival and behavior, probably due to a mechanical disturbance triggering a loss of radial symmetry in ephyrae more evident after MP than NP exposure. This study provides a first step towards understanding and clarifying the potential impacts of MP and NP contamination in gelatinous zooplankton, a key component in marine ecosystems and in the marine food web. Also see: https://micro2022.sciencesconf.org/427438/document, In MICRO 2022, Online Atlas Edition: Plastic Pollution from MACRO to nano

In this study, the abundance and properties (size, shape, and polymer type) of microplastics (MPs) in sea surface water samples, collected during two sampling campaigns over 2018–2019, in four coastal areas of the Mediterranean Sea (Saronikos Gulf, LIgurian Sea, Gulf of Lion, and Gabes Gulf) were investigated. Coupled hydrodynamic/particle drift model simulations with basin-scale Mediterranean and high resolution nested models were used to provide a better understanding on the variability of the abundance/size of MPs, originating from wastewater and river runoff, in the four areas. Different size classes of MPs were considered in the model, taking into account biofouling induced sinking, as a possible mechanism of MPs removal from the surface. The Gabes Gulf showed the highest mean MPs abundance (0.073–0.310 items/m2), followed by Ligurian Sea (0.061–0.134 items/m2), Saronikos Gulf (0.047–0.080 items/m2), and Gulf of Lion (0.029–0.032 items/m2). Overall, the observed MPs abundance and size distribution was reasonably well reproduced by the model in the four different areas, except an overestimation of small size contribution in Saronikos Gulf. The basin-scale simulation revealed a strong decrease of smaller size MPs in offshore areas, due to biofouling induced sinking, with larger (floating) MPs being able to travel longer distances in the open sea. A significant impact of waves drift and advection of MPs from non-local sources was identified from model simulations, particularly in the Gulfs of Lion and Gabes, having a stronger effect on larger microplastics. In Gabes Gulf, most MPs originated from offshore areas, being mainly (floating) larger size classes, as suggested by the observed quite small contribution of

For the first time, we report a correspondence between microplastics (MP) ingestion and ecotoxicological effects in gelatinous zooplankton (Cnidarian jellyfish). The ephyra stage of the jellyfish Aurelia sp. was exposed to both environmental and high concentrations of fluorescent 1–4 μm polyethylene MP (0.01–10 mg/L). After 24 and 48 h, MP accumulation, acute (Immobility) and behavioral (Frequency pulsation) endpoints were investigated. MP were detected by confocal and tomographic investigations on gelatinous body and mouth, either attached on the surface or ingested. This interaction was responsible for impairing ephyrae survival and behavior at all tested concentrations after 24 h. Acute and behavioral effects were also related to mechanical disturbance, caused by MP, triggering a loss of radial symmetry. Contaminated ephyrae exposed to clean seawater showed full recovery after 72 h highlighting the organisms without the microspheres, attached on body jellyfish surface around the mouth and lappets. In conclusion, short-term exposure to MP affects ephyrae jellyfish health, impairing both their survival and behavior. Polyethylene MP temporarily affect both Immobility and Frequency of pulsation of Aurelia sp. jellyfish. This study provides a first step towards understanding and clarifying the potential impacts of MP contamination in gelatinous zooplankton.