Sorption of trace metals by macro- and microplastics within intertidal sediments: Insights from a long-term field study within Burrard Inlet, British Columbia, Canada.

Plastics are now the dominant fraction of anthropogenic marine debris and as a result of their long residence times, it is important to determine the threats that plastics present to marine ecosystems including their ability to sorb a diversity of environmental pollutants such as trace metals. To address this knowledge gap, this study examined the sorption of cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn) by macro- and microplastics of polyethylene terephthalate (PETE) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) within marine intertidal sediments in a human-impacted area of Burrard Inlet (British Columbia, Canada). Trace metal sorption by macro- and microplastics was dependent on 1) polymer characteristics, notably the aging of the plastic over the duration of the field experiment as shown by the formation of new peaks via FTIR spectra; and 2) amounts of sediment organic matter, where the sorption of trace metals by the plastic particles decreased with increasing organic matter content (from 2.

Occurrence and size distribution of microplastics in mudflat sediments of the Cowichan-Koksilah Estuary, Canada: A baseline for plastic particles contamination in an anthropogenic-influenced estuary.

Documenting the prevalence of microplastics in marine-coastal ecosystems serves as a first step towards understanding their impacts and risks presented to higher trophic levels. Estuaries exist at the interface between freshwater and marine systems, and provide habitats for a diverse suite of species, including shellfish, fish, and birds. We provide baseline values for estuarine mudflats using sediment samples collected at Cowichan-Koksilah Estuary in British Columbia, Canada, a biologically-rich estuary.

Trace Metal Residues in Marine Mussels: A Global Survey.

Pressures from anthropogenic activities are causing degradation of estuarine and coastal ecosystems around the world. Trace metals are key pollutants that are released and can partition in a range of environmental compartments, to be ultimately accumulated in exposed biota. The level of pressure varies with locations and the range and intensity of anthropogenic activities.

Microplastics in beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas) prey: An exploratory assessment of trophic transfer in the Beaufort Sea.

Microplastics (MPs, <5 mm in length) have been identified as emerging contaminants in marine environments, with ingestion by a variety of biota being of increasing concern. Few studies exist on MP ingestion in Arctic fish, and there are currently no such data from the Beaufort Sea. We investigated MP abundance in five ecologically valuable species from three sampling sites in the Eastern Beaufort Sea to evaluate possible trophic-level pathways of MPs from prey to beluga whales.

Abundance and distribution of beach litter with acutely toxic metal concentrations.

We determined if colour, category (e.g., food packaging) or intertidal activity could explain the occurrence of litter with acute levels of metals.

Use of sediment dwelling bivalves to biomonitor plastic particle pollution in intertidal regions; A review and study.

We explore the possibility of using the varnish (Nutallia obscurata) and Manila (Venerupis philippinarum) clams as biomonitors of microplastics (MPs) pollution. A short review is first provided on the use of bivalves for biomonitoring MPs in aquatic ecosystems. From the conclusions drawn from our review we determine if the sediment dwelling varnish and Manila clam could possibly be good choices for this purpose.

Microplastics in beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas) from the Eastern Beaufort Sea.

Microplastics (MPs, particles <5 mm) represent an emerging global environmental concern, having been detected in multiple aquatic species. However, very little is known about the presence of MPs in higher trophic level species, including cetaceans. We worked with community based monitors and Inuvialuit hunters from Tuktoyaktuk (Northwest Territories, Canada) to sample seven beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas) in 2017 and 2018.

Abundance and distribution of microplastics within surface sediments of a key shellfish growing region of Canada.

The abundance and distribution of microplastics within 5 sediment size classes (>5000 μm, 1000-5000 μm, 250-1000 μm, 250-0.63 μm and < 0.63 μm) were determined for 16 sites within Lambert Channel and Baynes Sound, British Columbia, Canada.

Macro and micro plastics sorb and desorb metals and act as a point source of trace metals to coastal ecosystems.

Nine urban intertidal regions in Burrard Inlet, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, were sampled for plastic debris. Debris included macro and micro plastics and originated from a wide diversity of uses ranging from personal hygiene to solar cells. Debris was characterized for its polymer through standard physiochemical characteristics, then subject to a weak acid extraction to remove the metals, zinc, copper, cadmium and lead from the polymer.

Understanding metabolism of arginine in biological systems via MALDI imaging.

Arginine is an important amino acid but has been barely studied in plants. The little research that has been done indicates that the pathways of synthesis are similar to those found in animals and procaryotes. However little is known about the cellular and tissue localization of the amino acid in plants.

Intertidal Concentrations of Microplastics and Their Influence on Ammonium Cycling as Related to the Shellfish Industry.

Microplastics are ubiquitous within the marine environment. The last 10 years have seen research directed at understanding the fate and effect of microplastics within the marine environment; however, no studies have yet addressed how concentrations of these particles could affect sedimentary processes such as nutrient cycling. Herein we first determine the concentration and spatial distribution of microplastics within Baynes Sound, a key shellfish-growing area within coastal British Columbia (BC).

Favored use of anti-predator netting (APN) applied for the farming of clams leads to little benefits to industry while increasing nearshore impacts and plastics pollution.

An overview of the efficacy of anti-predator netting (APN) used by the shellfish industry is presented. There is little support that the currently favored APN effectively protects farmed clams from predators. Evidence does suggest that APN leads to impacts and pollution.

Trace elements in Pacific Dunlin (Calidris alpina pacifica): patterns of accumulation and concentrations in kidneys and feathers.

Trace element concentrations were measured in Pacific Dunlin (Calidris alpina pacifica) to identify factors that influence accumulation and to assess toxicity risks. We report concentrations of cadmium, copper, and zinc in kidneys as well as copper, lead, mercury, selenium and zinc in feathers. Relationships between element concentrations and Dunlin age, sex, bill length, habitat preference, trophic level, and sample group were investigated with regression analyses.

Concentration and partitioning of metals in intertidal biofilms: implications for metal bioavailability to shorebirds.

We compared zinc, copper and cadmium concentrations and the operationally defined geochemical partitioning of the three metals in sediments enriched with biofilm versus sediments without obvious biofilm present (reference) sampled from five locations within the Fraser River Delta, British Columbia, Canada. Two-way ANOVA's with site and biofilm (enriched or reference) as the two factors were applied to determine if metal concentrations or the partitioning of the metal was dependent on the two factors. Sediment enriched in biofilm contained greater amounts of aqua regia extracted zinc and copper and tended to have greater amounts of reducible cadmium as compared to reference sediments.

Legacy metals within urban aquatic environments and the challenge they pose to rehabilitation.

Legacy metals, a result of previous environmentally unsound practices, pose a challenge to the rehabilitation of urban aquatic ecosystems. The current study focuses on a harbor in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, where use of antifouling paints for hull cleaning occurred for ca. 30 years.

Trace metal depositional patterns from an open pit mining activity as revealed by archived avian gizzard contents.

Archived samples of blue grouse (Dendragapus obscurus) gizzard contents, inclusive of grit, collected yearly between 1959 and 1970 were analyzed for cadmium, lead, zinc, and copper content. Approximately halfway through the 12-year sampling period, an open-pit copper mine began activities, then ceased operations 2 years later. Thus the archived samples provided a unique opportunity to determine if avian gizzard contents, inclusive of grit, could reveal patterns in the anthropogenic deposition of trace metals associated with mining activities.

Exploring spatial and temporal variations of cadmium concentrations in pacific oysters from british columbia.

Oysters from the Pacific Northwest coast of British Columbia, Canada, contain high levels of cadmium, in some cases exceeding some international food safety guidelines. A primary goal of this article is the investigation of the spatial and temporal variation in cadmium concentrations for oysters sampled from coastal British Columbia. Such information is important so that recommendations can be made as to where and when oysters can be cultured such that accumulation of cadmium within these oysters is minimized.

Sea ducks and aquaculture: the cadmium connection.

Elevated concentrations of cadmium have been reported in the kidneys of sea ducks that forage along the Pacific Northwest, and cadmium has been postulated as a possible cause of population declines. The blue mussel (Mytilus spp.) which occurs in dense numbers on aquaculture structures and are a primary prey item for sea ducks also contain elevated cadmium concentrations.

Cadmium in shellfish: the British Columbia, Canada experience--a mini-review.

Over 10 years ago, research scientists in the federal department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) were alerted to the presence of high levels of cadmium, a toxic metal, in the Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas) cultured in British Columbia (BC), Canada waters. This mini-review summarizes the most recent published studies on levels of cadmium in shellfish from the Pacific Northwest (BC and Washington State). Recent health risk assessments with respect to the ingestion of BC oysters are presented.

Survey of levels of cadmium in oysters, mussels, clams and scallops from the Pacific Northwest coast of Canada.

Field and retail collections of bivalves from the Pacific Northwest, Canada, were analysed for cadmium concentrations by atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS). Both collections of varnish (Nuttallia obscurata) and manila (Venerupis philippinarum) clams contained cadmium concentrations of less than 0.5 µg g(-1), well below international safety guidelines of 1 and 2 µg g(-1) wet weight cadmium for the European and Hong Kong markets, respectively, as well as the 2 µg g(-1) safety guideline set by the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC).

Sources of dietary cadmium to the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas.

Oysters from the Pacific north-west coast contain high cadmium concentrations (greater than 13.5 microg g(-1) dry weight), which exceed consumer guidelines for international markets. Oysters are selective filter-feeders and attempts which have focused on suspended particulate matter (SPM) as a means to assess the importance of diet as a route of cadmium exposure have met with limited success.

Spatial and temporal variations in cadmium concentrations and burdens in the Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas) sampled from the Pacific north-west.

Oysters from the north-west coast of Canada contain high levels of cadmium, a toxic metal, in amounts that exceed food safety guidelines for international markets. A first required step to determine the sources of cadmium is to identify possible spatial and temporal trends in the accumulation of cadmium by the oyster. To meet this objective, rather than sample wild and cultured oysters of unknown age and origin, an oyster "grow-out" experiment was initiated.

Cloning of the cDNA for the putative calcium-sensing receptor and its tissue distribution in sea bream (Sparus aurata).

The cDNA for the calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) gene has been cloned from the marine teleost Sparus aurata, the sea bream. The isolated clones were 3.3 kb long with an open reading frame of 2820 bp, a 5' UTR of 240 bp, and 3' UTR of 248 bp.