Baseline Assessment of Microplastic Ingestion in the Sea Cucumber Holothuria scabra, Jaeger 1833 from Pujada Bay, Philippines

Errole A. Maxey; Alezandra Ramille A. Cadayona; Dj Mar M. Longyapon

doi:10.55927/eajmr.v5i6.179

Authors

Errole A. Maxey Davao Oriental State University
Alezandra Ramille A. Cadayona Davao Oriental State University
Dj Mar M. Longyapon Davao Oriental State University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55927/eajmr.v5i6.179

Keywords:

Microplastics, Holothuria scabra, benthic invertebrates, coastal pollution, Pujada Bay

Abstract

Microplastics are major pollutants in marine ecosystems and pose threats to benthic organisms such as sea cucumbers. This study investigated the occurrence, morphotypes, colors, polymer types, and spatial variation of microplastics ingested by Holothuria scabra in selected sites of Pujada Bay. A total of 90 individuals were examined, with 35 (38.88%) containing microplastics. Thirty-six microplastic particles were recovered, averaging 0.4 particles per individual. Fibers were the dominant morphotype (75%), while blue particles were the most common color (61.11%). FTIR analysis identified synthetic rubber as the most abundant polymer type. The findings provide baseline information on microplastic contamination in H. scabra and highlight its potential as a bioindicator of sediment-associated microplastic pollution in Pujada Bay.

References

Alindayu II, R. C., Licnachan, L. O. C., Luzadas, R. L., Ignacio, P. S. P., & Onda, D. F. L. (2023). Moving towards open data, public access, and information sharing to combat marine plastics pollution in the Philippines and the Southeast Asian region. Ocean & Coastal Management, 243, 106771. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2023.106771

Auta, H. S., Emenike, C. U., & Fauziah, S. H. (2017). Distribution and importance of microplastics in the marine environment: a review of the sources, fate, effects, and potential solutions. Environment international, 102, 165-176. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2017.02.013

Ballent, A., Corcoran, P. L., Madden, O., Helm, P. A., & Longstaffe, F. J. (2016). Sources and sinks of microplastics in Canadian Lake Ontario nearshore, tributary and beach sediments. Marine pollution bulletin, 110(1), 383-395. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2016.06.037

Bellasi, A., Binda, G., Pozzi, A., Galafassi, S., Volta, P., & Bettinetti, R. (2020). Microplastic contamination in freshwater environments: A review, focusing on interactions with sediments and benthic organisms. Environments, 7(4), 30. https://doi.org/10.3390/environments7040030

Belontz, S. L., & Corcoran, P. L. (2021). Prioritizing suitable quality assurance and control standards to reduce laboratory airborne microfibre contamination in sediment samples. Environments, 8(9), 89. https://doi.org/10.3390/environments8090089

Bhattacharya, A., & Khare, S. K. (2022). Ecological and toxicological manifestations of microplastics: current scenario, research gaps, and possible alleviation measures. Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part C, 38(1), 1-20. https://doi.org/10.1080/10590501.2019.1699379

Browne, M. A., Crump, P., Niven, S. J., Teuten, E., Tonkin, A., Galloway, T., & Thompson, R. (2011). Accumulation of microplastic on shorelines woldwide: sources and sinks. Environmental science & technology, 45(21), 9175-9179. https://doi.org/10.1021/es201811s

Dalugdog, W. D. (2021). Level of Compliance of the Local Government Units (LGUs) in the Implementation and Enforcement of RA 9003 (known as Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000) in CALABARZON. Asian Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies, 4(1), 25-38. https://doi.org/10.20935/al3382

do Sul, J. A. I., & Costa, M. F. (2014). The present and future of microplastic pollution in the marine environment. Environmental pollution, 185, 352-364. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2013.10.036

Dong, M., Zhang, Q., Xing, X., Chen, W., She, Z., & Luo, Z. (2020). Raman spectra and surface changes of microplastics weathered under natural environments. Science of the Total Environment, 739, 139990. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.139990

Egbeocha, C. O., Malek, S., Emenike, C. U., & Milow, P. (2018). Feasting on microplastics: ingestion by and effects on marine organisms. Aquatic Biology, 27, 93-106. https://doi.org/10.3354/ab

Ferreira, G. V., Barletta, M., Lima, A. R., Morley, S. A., Justino, A. K., & Costa, M. F. (2018). High intake rates of microplastics in a Western Atlantic predatory fish, and insights of a direct fishery effect. Environmental Pollution, 236, 706-717. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2018.01.095

Fiore, M., Fraterrigo Garofalo, S., Migliavacca, A., Mansutti, A., Fino, D., & Tommasi, T. (2022). Tackling marine microplastics pollution: an overview of existing solutions. Water, Air, & Soil Pollution, 233(7), 276. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-022-05715-5

Gola, D., Tyagi, P. K., Arya, A., Chauhan, N., Agarwal, M., Singh, S. K., & Gola, S. (2021). The impact of microplastics on marine environment: A review. Environmental Nanotechnology, Monitoring & Management, 16, 100552. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enmm.2021.100552

Hamel, J. F., Eeckhaut, I., Conand, C., Sun, J., Caulier, G., & Mercier, A. (2022). Global knowledge on the commercial sea cucumber Holothuria scabra. Advances in marine biology, 91, 1-286. https://doi.org/10.1016/bs.amb.2022.04.001

Iwalaye, O. A., Moodley, G. K., & Robertson-Andersson, D. V. (2020). The possible routes of microplastics uptake in sea cucumber Holothuria cinerascens (Brandt, 1835). Environmental Pollution, 264, 114644. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2020.114644

JJunus, S., Kwong, P. J., & Khoo, G. (2018). A review on the recent advances in the biology and aquaculture technology of Holothuria scabra. Journal of Survey in Fisheries Sciences, 4(2), 5-25. https://doi.org/10.18331/SFS2018.4.2.2

Kadac-Czapska, K., Knez, E., Gierszewska, M., Olewnik-Kruszkowska, E., & Grembecka, M. (2023). Microplastics derived from food packaging waste—Their origin and health risks. Materials, 16(2), 674. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16020674

Karami, A., Golieskardi, A., Choo, C. K., Romano, N., Ho, Y. B., & Salamatinia, B. (2017). A high-performance protocol for extraction of microplastics in fish. Science of the total environment, 578, 485-494. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.10.213

Khaleel, R., Valsan, G., Rangel-Buitrago, N., & Warrier, A. K. (2023). Microplastics in the marine environment of St. Mary's Island: implications for human health and conservation. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 195(9), 1034. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-023-11651-6

Khan, A. A., & Bose, K. (2024). Microplastics: an Overview on Ecosystem and Human health. International Journal of Research Publication and Reviews, 5(6), 3691-3702. https://doi.org/10.55248/gengpi.5.0624.1535

Kibria, G., Nugegoda, D., & Haroon, A. Y. (2022). Microplastic (MP) pollution in the context of occurrence, distribution, composition and concentration in surface waters and sediments: a global overview. Microplastic pollution: environmental occurrence and treatment technologies, 133-166. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-89220-3_7

Klun, B., Rozman, U., & Kalčíková, G. (2023). Environmental aging and biodegradation of tire wear microplastics in the aquatic environment. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, 11(5), 110604. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jece.2023.110604

Kumar, S., Rajesh, M., Rajesh, K. M., Suyani, N. K., Ahamed Rasheeq, A., & Pratiksha, K. S. (2020). Impact of microplastics on aquatic organisms and human health: A review. International Journal of Environmental Sciences & Natural Resources, 26(2), 59-64. https://doi.org/10.19080/IJESNR.2020.26.556184

Li, X., Chen, Y., Zhang, S., Dong, Y., Pang, Q., Lynch, I., ... & Zhang, P. (2023). From marine to freshwater environment: A review of the ecotoxicological effects of microplastics. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 251, 114564. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.114564

Lusher, A. L., Bråte, I. L. N., Munno, K., Hurley, R. R., & Welden, N. A. (2020). Is it or isn't it: the importance of visual classification in microplastic characterization. Applied spectroscopy, 74(9), 1139-1153. https://doi.org/10.1177/0003702820930733

Lusher, A., Hollman, P., & Mendoza-Hill, J. (2017). Microplastics in fisheries and aquaculture: status of knowledge on their occurrence and implications for aquatic organisms and food safety. FAO. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cogsc.2021.100464

MacTavish, T., Stenton-Dozey, J., Vopel, K., & Savage, C. (2012). Deposit-feeding Sea cucumbers enhance mineralization and nutrient cycling in organically-enriched coastal sediments. PloS one, 7(11), e50031. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0050031

Mancuso, M., Bruno, C. A., Guardamagna, I., Mghili, B., Fabrizi, F., Nibali, V. C., ... & Bottari, T. (2026). Anthropogenic particles accumulation in sea cucumbers: insights from a transitional environment. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 226, 119341. 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2026.119341

Markic, A., & Nicol, S. (2014). In a nutshell: microplastics and fisheries. SPC Fisheries Newsletter, 144, 27-29.

Mathieu-Resuge, M., Le Grand, F., Schaal, G., Kraffe, E., Lorrain, A., Letourneur, Y., ... & Hochard, S. (2020). Assimilation of shrimp farm sediment by Holothuria scabra: a coupled fatty acid and stable isotope approach. Aquatic Living Resources, 33, 3. https://doi.org/10.1051/alr/2020004

Mohsen, M., Lin, C., Liu, S., & Yang, H. (2022). Existence of microplastics in the edible part of the sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus. Chemosphere, 287, 132062. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.132062

Mohsen, M., Wang, Q., Zhang, L., Sun, L., Lin, C., & Yang, H. (2019). Microplastic ingestion by the farmed sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus in China. Environmental Pollution, 245, 1071-1078. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2018.11.083

Mohsen, M., Zhang, L., Sun, L., Lin, C., Wang, Q., & Yang, H. (2020). Microplastic fibers transfer from the water to the internal fluid of the sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus. Environmental Pollution, 257, 113606. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2019.113606

Nguyen, T. H., Kieu-Le, T. C., Tang, F. H., & Maggi, F. (2022). Controlling factors of microplastic fibre settling through a water column. Science of the Total Environment, 838, 156011. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.156011

Osorio, E. D., Tanchuling, M. A. N., & Diola, M. B. L. D. (2021). Microplastics occurrence in surface waters and sediments in five river mouths of Manila Bay. Frontiers in Environmental Science, 9, 719274. https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2021.719274

Parolini, M., Stucchi, M., Ambrosini, R., & Romano, A. (2023). A global perspective on microplastic bioaccumulation in marine organisms. Ecological Indicators, 149, 110179. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2023.110179

Peng, G., Zhu, B., Yang, D., Su, L., Shi, H., & Li, D. (2017). Microplastics in sediments of the Changjiang Estuary, China. Environmental Pollution, 225, 283-290. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2016.12.064

Pieper, C., Martins, A., Zettler, E., Loureiro, C. M., Onink, V., Heikkilä, A., ... & Amaral-Zettler, L. (2020). Into the med: Searching for microplastics from space to deep-sea. In Proceedings of the 2nd international conference on microplastic pollution in the Mediterranean sea (pp. 129-138). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-45909-3_21

Pinheiro, L. M., do Sul, J. A. I., & Costa, M. F. (2020). Uptake and ingestion are the main pathways for microplastics to enter marine benthos: A review. Food webs, 24, e00150. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fooweb.2020.e00150

Purcell, S. W., Conand, C., Uthicke, S., & Byrne, M. (2016). Ecological roles of exploited sea cucumbers. In Oceanography and marine biology (pp. 375-394). CRC press. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781315368597-12

Riani, E., & Cordova, M. R. (2022). Microplastic ingestion by the sandfish Holothuria scabra in Lampung and Sumbawa, Indonesia. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 175, 113134. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.113134

Ricardo, E. S. L., Rossa, Ü. B., Martins, A. O., Ribeiro, E. A. W., Vischetti, C., Casucci, C., ... & Tagliabue, F. (2024). Microplastics on the surface of marine waters of the coast of Santa Catarina (Brazil): identification by stereomicroscope and FTIR-ATR spectrophotometer. Revista Brasileira de Ciências Ambientais, 59, e1900-e1900. https://doi.org/10.5327/z2176-94781900

Sandgaard, M. H., Palmqvist, A., Bour, A., Grønlund, S. N., Hooge, A., Selck, H., ... & Syberg, K. (2023). Sediment matters as a route of microplastic exposure: A call for more research on the benthic compartment. Frontiers in marine science, 9, 1100567. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2022.1100567

Schachter, J., & Karasik, R. (2022). Plastic pollution policy country Profile: Philippines. NI PB, 22-10.

Schoppe, S. (2000). A guide to common shallow water sea stars, brittle stars, sea urchins, sea cucumbers and feather stars: echinoderms of the Philippines.

Timmers, M. A., Kistner, C. A., & Donohue, M. J. (2005). Marine debris of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands: ghost net identification. US Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Sea Grant College Program.

Umasangaji, H., & Ramili, Y. (2022). The occurrence of microplastics in the gastrointestinal tract of sea cucumbers on the conservation area of Mare Island, North Maluku, Indonesia. Aquaculture, Aquarium, Conservation & Legislation, 15(6), 2822-2839.

Wang, X., Zhu, L., Liu, K., & Li, D. (2022). Prevalence of microplastic fibers in the marginal sea water column off southeast China. Science of the Total Environment, 804, 150138. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.150138

Wolkenhauer, S. M., Uthicke, S., Burridge, C., Skewes, T., & Pitcher, R. (2010). The ecological role of Holothuria scabra (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea) within subtropical seagrass beds. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, 90(2), 215-223. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0025315409990518

Yano, K. A. V., Reyes, N. J. D. G., Geronimo, F. K. F., Jeon, M. S., Kim, Y., & Kim, L. H. (2020). A comprehensive review of microplastics: Sources, pathways, and implications. Journal of Wetlands Research, 22(2), 153-160. https://doi.org/10.17663/JWR.2020.22.2.153

Yano, K. A., Geronimo, F. K., Reyes, N. J., & Kim, L. H. (2021). Characterization and comparison of microplastic occurrence in point and non-point pollution sources. Science of the Total Environment, 797, 148939. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.148939