Microplastic Accumulation in Macroalgae: A Species-Specific Study in the Indian River Lagoon
Keywords:
Microplastics, macroalgae, Bioaccumulation, Marine pollutionAbstract
Microplastics are an emerging pollutant in marine environments and can accumulate in a wide range of organisms, including macroalgae. Due to their widespread distribution and ecological importance, macroalgae may function as sinks for microplastics and facilitate their transfer through marine food webs. This study examined the concentration of microplastics in different macroalgal phyla to better understand patterns of microplastic accumulation in coastal ecosystems. The results did not support the original hypothesis; contrary to predictions, red macroalgae exhibited a higher concentration of microplastics than green macroalgae, with mean values of approximately 5.4 and 2.8 microplastic particles per gram, respectively. These findings indicate that red macroalgae accumulate greater amounts of microplastics, which may have significant ecological implications, as the ingestion of contaminated macroalgae by marine organisms can promote trophic transfer and ultimately increase the risk of human exposure through seafood consumption.
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