Marine organisms as bioindicators of plastic pollution
Orlando-Bonaca, M.; Avio, C.G.; Bonanno, G. (2022). Marine organisms as bioindicators of plastic pollution, in: Bonanno, G. et al. Plastic pollution and marine conservation: Approaches to protect biodiversity and marine life. pp. 187-248. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-12-822471-7.00003-1 In: Bonanno, G.; Orlando-Bonaca, M. (Ed.) (2022). Plastic pollution and marine conservation: Approaches to protect biodiversity and marine life. Academic Press: London. ISBN 978-0-12-822471-7. 346 pp. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/c2019-0-03607-2, more |
| Authors | | Top | - Orlando-Bonaca, M., more
- Avio, C.G.
- Bonanno, G.
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| Abstract | The Mediterranean Sea, one of the most important biodiversity hotspots, has been recently considered as one of the most affected areas by marine litter. Plastics are the prevailing type of debris, accounting for up to 95%–100% of total floating material, and more than 50% of seabed litter. Over the past decades, biological indicators have emerged as particularly interesting and effective measurement systems. This chapter discusses the usefulness of the main marine organisms that interact with and/or are affected by marine debris. The high number of taxa impacted by different plastic materials underlines the magnitude of this threat to biodiversity and highlights the urgent need to promote an effective monitoring and management through sink and source surveys, strong legislation, and enforced policies on plastic dumping and reuse. The priority lines of future research on marine bioindicators of plastic pollution should be oriented to prepare a robust monitoring program that relies on a multispecies approach. |
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