Microplastic analysis in natural populations of Seabob Shrimp Xiphopenaeus kroyeri: An evaluation of exposure levels in two regions of the Brazilian coast

• Grant number: 22/00963-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: September 01, 2022
• End date: April 21, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Zoology - Morphology of Recent Groups
• Principal Investigator: Rogério Caetano da Costa
• Grantee: Daphine Ramiro Herrera
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências (FC). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Bauru. Bauru , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 18/13685-5 - Integrative analysis of the Brazilian fauna of decapod crustaceans: taxonomy, phylogenetic systematics, spermiotaxonomy, morphology of post-embryonic development, ecology and conservation, AP.BTA.TEM
• Associated scholarship(s): 24/19494-8 - Comparative chemical analysis of microplastics in commercial shrimp Xiphopenaeus kroyeri from impacted and protected coastal environments, BE.EP.PD

Abstract

Plastic pollution is ubiquitous throughout the marine environment and with microplastic (i.e. < 5 mm) contamination has become a global issue of emerging concern. Microplastics have been found in many marine organisms. However, most of the effects were observed in experimental models with high values of microplastics. Little is known about the accumulation of microplastics in natural populations, especially in invertebrates. Considering the importance of knowledge about the potential ecological risks of microplastics for the entire food chain, including human health, the central objective of this research project is to evaluate the microplastic exposure levels in the Seabob Shrimp Xiphopenaeus kroyeri in the regions of Baixada Santista and Cananéia, considered the two main regions in relation to the exploitation of the species, but with distinct characteristics in relation to the anthropogenic activities. In addition, the Seabob Shrimp is of great ecological importance and considered one of the main fishing objects of relevant commercial value in the Brazilian coast. To do this, this project will investigate the exposure levels (i.e. the quantities of microplastics detected in the organisms), the characterization of the plastic content, the potential effects on the nutritional health condition of the shrimps and the amount of microplastic uptake of the species in degraded and preserved areas. The project will provide, for the first time, a field study on the accumulation of microplastics in shrimp in Brazil, in order to provide information on both the ecological risks of marine plastic pollution in the Brazilian coast and the possible ingestion of microplastics by the population. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

HERRERA, DAPHINE RAMIRO; DA COSTA, ROGERIO CAETANO. Reproductive traits, relative growth and maturity of blue crabs Callinectes danae and Callinectes ornatus in South Atlantic waters. AQUATIC ECOLOGY, v. 58, n. 3, p. 20-pg., 2024-06-07. (22/00963-2, 10/50188-8, 18/13685-5, 09/54672-4)