Articles publicats Departament de Ciències Ambientals

Microplastic exposure and biological correlates in a key intertidal crab (Grapsus grapsus) from the Galápagos Islands

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Microplastic exposure and biological correlates in a key intertidal crab (Grapsus grapsus) from the Galápagos Islands Cisneros-Bejarano, Fernando; Muñoz-Pérez, Juan Pablo; Alarcón-Ruales, Daniela; Moreira-Mendieta, Andrés; Lewbart, Gregory A.; Kieffer, Emma; Tucker-Retter, Emily K.; Nease, Guinevere; Mones, Alissa B.; Trilla-Prieto, Núria; Garcia Garin, Odei Microplastics (MPs) are pervasive contaminants in marine ecosystems, yet data from remote oceanic islands remain limited. We quantified MP occurrence in gills and gastrointestinal tracts (GIT) of Sally Lightfoot crab (Grapsus grapsus, n = 60) from three sites on San Cristóbal Island, Galápagos Marine Reserve, and assessed relationships with morphometric and physiological indices. MPs were detected in 78% of gills and 52% of GIT samples, with a total of 138 particles identified. Fibers predominated (77%), mostly <1 mm, and cellulose was the most frequent polymer, followed by polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyolefin (PO) blends. Gill tissues exhibited higher MP loads and greater polymer diversity than GIT samples, indicating branchial interception as a key exposure pathway. Negative binomial models showed no significant associations between GIT MP abundance and the scaled mass index, heart rate, sex, or site. These findings reveal widespread exposure to MPs in an ecologically important intertidal crustacean and confirm that even protected insular ecosystems are permeated by anthropogenic microdebris; Thanks are due to the Centres Científics i Tecnològics of the University of Barcelona (CCiT-UB) for assistance in MP analysis. OG-G was supported by a Juan de la Cierva postdoctoral grant (JDC2023-050962-I), funded by MCIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and the FSE+. Open access funding provided by CRUE-CSIC agreement with Elsevier; 14

Occurrence of microplastics across tissues in North Atlantic fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus)

Fri, 15 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Occurrence of microplastics across tissues in North Atlantic fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) Vitale, Giulia; Ruiz-Sagalés, Marc; Chosson, Valerie; Halldórsson, Sverrir D.; Borrell, Asunción; Aguilar, Àlex; Sigurðsson, Guðjón M.; Corami, Fabiana; Barbante, Carlo; Garcia Garin, Odei As long-lived filter-feeders, baleen whales integrate and reflect changes in ocean contamination, including exposure to microplastics (MPs). This study reports the occurrence of MPs in multiple tissues of North Atlantic fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) collected off southwestern Iceland in 2023. Five tissues (blubber, muscle, liver, lung, and kidney) from eight individuals were analyzed using the Micro-FTIR and Micro-Raman spectroscopy under strict contamination control. MPs occurred in 32.5% of the samples (13/40; n = 16 particles), predominantly as blue fragments (75%) with an average length of 67.2 ± 33.8 μm. Polyester, polyethylene, and polypropylene were the most common polymers. Although overall tissue differences were minimal, blubber contained the highest MP abundance and longer average particles than other tissues. These findings provide evidence of MP tissue-specific accumulation within a mysticete species and highlight the need to clarify the mechanisms and implications of MP accumulation in marine megafauna; This study was part of the project PID2020-119712GB-I00 funded by MICIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033. We thank the MFRI staff for assistance and logistical support during the fieldwork and the sample shipment, and Kristján Loftsson for kindly providing facilities to conduct sampling at the Hvalur whaling station. We also thank the Scientific and Technological Centers of the Universitat de Barcelona (CCiT-UB) for their assistance with the Micro-Raman and Micro-FTIR analyses. MR-S was supported by a pre-doctoral contract PRE2021-098656 funded by MICIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and by FSE+. OG-G was supported by a Juan de la Cierva postdoctoral grant (JDC2023-050962-I), funded by MCIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and the FSE+. Open access funding provided by CRUE-CSIC agreement with Elsevier; 14

Trace elements in marine mammal bone from the Río de la Plata and adjacent Atlantic Ocean: habitat, species and trophic effects

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Trace elements in marine mammal bone from the Río de la Plata and adjacent Atlantic Ocean: habitat, species and trophic effects Garcia Garin, Odei; Borrell, Asunción; Fàbregas, Sergi; Valdivia, Meica; González, Enrique M.; Drago, Massimiliano The Río de la Plata estuary is a heavily impacted coastal system that receives substantial fluvial and urban inputs. We quantified 12 trace elements in skull bone from seven marine mammal species stranded or incidentally taken as bycatch along the Uruguay coast between 1992 and 2015 (n = 73): Otaria flavescens, Arctocephalus australis, Pontoporia blainvillei, Phocoena spinipinnis, Delphinus delphis, Pseudorca crassidens and Lagenodelphis hosei. Concentrations of Al, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sr and Zn were determined by ICP-MS/ICP-OES and integrated with bone stable isotope ratios of carbon, nitrogen and oxygen to assess trophic and habitat influences. Mean concentrations decreased in the order Zn > Fe > Al > Sr > Mn > Cu > Pb > Ni > Cr > Hg > As > Cd. No sex-related differences were detected for any element. Nearshore species exhibited higher concentrations of both Fe, Al, Sr and Mn, particulate elements typically originated from the continental soil erosion, and Pb, Cr and Cd, elements typically associated to anthropogenic inputs. Conversely, oceanic species showed higher concentrations of Hg, Ni and Zn, suggesting exposure through pelagic food webs and cephalopod-rich diets. Isotope–element associations supported these patterns: Al, Fe and Pb were negatively correlated with δ18O, values indicating stronger freshwater influence; Cd and Ni were negatively correlated with δ15N values, suggesting biodilution; Zn correlated negatively with δ13C and δ15N but positively with δ18O values. Overall, the bone proved to be a conservative archive of trace element exposure. The integration of elemental and isotopic data provided valuable insight into habitat-specific contamination patterns. The study highlights the need for continued pollution control in the estuary and reinforces the value of marine mammals as bioindicators of trace element inputs; We thank the Museo Nacional de Historia Natural and the Facultad de Ciencias of the Universidad de la República (UdelaR) at Montevideo (Uruguay) for allowing us access to their scientific collections. Thanks are also due to the Centres Científics i Tecnològics of the University of Barcelona (CCiT-UB) for assistance in trace element analyses. OG-G was supported by a Juan de la Cierva postdoctoral grant (JDC2023-050962-I), funded by MCIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and the FSE+. The study was funded by the Fundació Barcelona Zoo (Spain) through the Research and Conservation Programme – PRIC (309998). Open access funding provided by CRUE-CSIC agreement with Elsevier; 6

Extinction Debt Paid Off: The Demise of the European Polecat (Mustela putorius) in NE Iberia

Sun, 29 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Extinction Debt Paid Off: The Demise of the European Polecat (Mustela putorius) in NE Iberia Salvador Allué, Salvador; Puig-Gironès, Roger; Llopart, Xavier; Palazón, Santiago; Clavero Pineda, Miguel The global loss of individuals and populations is driving a myriad of species toward extinction, many of which are not yet recognized as threatened. The European polecat (Mustela putorius) exemplifies this trend, as throughout most of its range it is of low conservation concern despite widespread suspected, though poorly documented, population declines. For a decade, we monitored a vanishing polecat population to identify the ecological drivers behind its decline, using a combination of camera trapping (5551 trap days), roadkill data, landscape descriptors, and dietary and toxicological analyses. We documented a marked segregation between the polecat and other mesocarnivores. Polecat favored lowland farmland rich in rats and rabbits as prey, avoiding sclerophyllous forest and water bodies dominated by potential competitors like the invasive American mink, otter, and stone marten. This habitat selection likely increased the risk of rodenticide secondary poisoning (with 84.6% prevalence), road mortality (42 individuals in 10 years), and interactions with domestic cats. However, the loss of habitat heterogeneity and semi-natural vegetation, associated with agricultural intensification, led the habitat and connectivity loss that probably contributed decisively to the ultimate demise of the population. Although American mink control was implemented, large-scale conservation actions -such as hedgerow restoration, construction of faunal underpasses, or replacement of anticoagulant rodenticides -were not in place prior to the population's extinction. However, ongoing habitat restoration may support future recolonization or reintroductions and benefit other species for which the polecat could serve as an effective umbrella species in European agroecosystems; Open Access funding provided thanks to the CRUE-CSIC agreement with Wiley; 15