Despite its fundamental ecological role, neuston has been understudied worldwide. Within the species inhabiting the sea surface microlayer, we found the family Pontellidae. This family of blue copepods is adapted to living within the first 10 cm of water being constantly exposed to multiple natural and anthropogenic stressors, including the floating anthropogenic particles (APs). Pontellidae represents one of the global most abundant neustonic communities reaching abundances of 600 ind/m3 (Pacific Ocean) and being an important food source for fish and seabirds. Low APs ingestion rates have been described for different copepod species, suggesting a low risk of APs entry into food webs. Here, we have studied the interaction between the pontellid Pontella mediterranea, and APs. By stomach content analysis we evaluated the ingestion of APs and the possible transfer through trophic webs. We confirm low average APs ingestion values (0.11 APs/ind) and frequency (11%), however if the abundance of copepods per m3 is considered (from 41.67 to 1174.83), values become extremely high (45.15 APs/m3). Those values are at least one order of magnitude higher than those reported for the Mediterranean Sea surface waters, ranging from 0.04 to 7.68 APs/m3. Particles found were mainly fibers (72%) made up of cellulose acetate with a polymeric composition similar to polymers found in the lower layers of the Mediterranean water column. Results highlight how this neustonic copepod could represent one of the highest reservoirs of APs within the upper layers of the oceans.
Primary Presenter: Valentina Fagiano, Centro Oceanográfico de Baleares (IEO, CSIC) / Universitat de les Illes Balears (UIB) (valentina.fagiano@ieo.csic.es)
Authors:
Valentina Fagiano, Centro Oceanográfico de Baleares (IEO, CSIC) / Universitat de les Illes Balears (UIB) (valentina.fagiano@ieo.csic.es)
Carme Alomar, Centro Oceanográfico de Baleares (IEO, CSIC) (carme.alomar@ieo.csic.es)
Ana Ventero, Centro Oceanográfico de Baleares (IEO, CSIC) (ana.ventero@ieo.csic.es)
Mariluz Fernández de Puelles, Centro Oceanográfico de Baleares (IEO, CSIC) (mluz.fernandez@ieo.csic.es)
Magdalena Iglesias, Centro Oceanográfico de Baleares (IEO, CSIC) (magdalena.iglesias@ieo.csic.es)
Salud Deudero, Centro Oceanográfico de Baleares (IEO, CSIC) (salud.deudero@ieo.csic.es)
An unexpected reservoir of anthropogenic particles within the neuston: the copepod Pontella mediterranea.
Category
Scientific Sessions > SS081 JPI Oceans Joint Action: Ecological Aspects of Microplastics – From Scientific Findings to Political Action
Description
Time: 06:30 PM
Date: 7/6/2023
Room: Mezzanine