First evidence of microplastics in the Marine Protected Area Namuncurá at Burdwood Bank, Argentina: a study on Henricia obesa and Odontaster penicillatus (Echinodermata: Asteroidea)

COSSI, PAULA FANNY; OJEDA, MARIEL; CHIESA, IGNACIO LUIS; RIMONDINO, GUIDO NOÉ; FRAYSSE, CINTIA; CALCAGNO, JAVIER; PÉREZ, ANALÍA FERNANDA

POLAR BIOLOGY

SPRINGER

Año: 2021

0722-4060

arge quantities of microplastics end up in the marine environment, constituting a potential threat for many organisms even in remote protected areas where the extent of this type of pollution is still unknown. This study evaluated for the first time the occurrence of microplastics in benthic organisms from the Marine Protected Area Namuncurá at Burdwood Bank, Southwest Atlantic Ocean. Microplastics were isolated from the soft tissue of the sea stars Henricia obesa and Odontaster penicillatus using an oxidative treatment with hydrogen peroxide. The chemical composition of the particles was identified with Raman spectroscopy. Fibers and fragments were found in similar proportions in both species. Fibers were identified as semi-synthetic cellulose, while the polymeric composition of fragments was masked by the synthetic pigment Phthalo blue. Over half of the sea stars contained microplastics (61%). In H. obesa, the mean abundance was 1.00 ± 1.03 particles per individual and 3