Understanding How Microplastics Affect Marine Biota on the Cellular Level Is Important for Assessing Ecosystem Function: A Review

Plastic has become indispensable for human life. When plastic debris is discarded into waterways, these items can interact with organisms. Of particular concern are microscopic plastic particles (microplastics) which are subject to ingestion by several taxa. This review summarizes the results of cutting-edge research about the interactions between a range of aquatic species and microplastics, including effects on biota physiology and secondary ingestion. Uptake pathways via digestive or ventilatory systems are discussed, including (1) the physical penetration of microplastic particles into cellular structures, (2) leaching of chemical additives or adsorbed persistent organic pollutants (POPs), and (3) consequences of bacterial or viral microbiota contamination associated with microplastic ingestion. Following uptake, a number of individual-level effects have been observed, including reduction of feeding activities, reduced growth and reproduction through cellular modifications, and oxidative stress. Microplastic-associated effects on marine biota have become increasingly investigated with growing concerns regarding human health through trophic transfer. We argue that research on the cellular interactions with microplastics provide an understanding of their impact to the organisms’ fitness and, therefore, its ability to sustain their functional role in the ecosystem. The review summarizes information from 236 scientific publications. Of those, only 4.6% extrapolate their research of microplastic intake on individual species to the impact on ecosystem functioning. We emphasize the need for risk evaluation from organismal effects to an ecosystem level to effectively evaluate the effect of microplastic pollution on marine environments. Further studies are encouraged to investigate sublethal effects in the context of environmentally relevant microplastic pollution conditions

Importancia estratigráfica y paleobiogeografica del genero Grapnelispora Stover & partridge en el cretácico tardio del hemisferio austral

Findings of Grapnelispora Stover & Partridge in Late Cretaceous formations of northern Patagonia and southern Mendoza (Argentina) are presented. These discovered complement those from Australia, New Zealand, Antarctica and Neuquén and confirm restriction of the genus to the Late Campanian - Maastrichtian. The clear difference in size existing between forms from 1) Antarctica, 2) northern Patagonia and southern Mendoza and 3) Australia - New Zealand indicate the presence of different species in the three regions mentioned. The chronostratigraphic data available up to this moment show that the three species correspond to different ages. The depositional environment of the formations bearing Grapnelispora in Argentina is lacustrine to brackish, in some cases with marine influence. The geographic distribution of the genus is, according to existing information, restricted to the southern hemisphere.Se dan a conocer hallazgos de Grapnelispora Stover & Partridge en capas del Cretácico Tardío de Nordpatagonia y sur de Mendoza (Argentina). Estos hallazgos complementan los de Australia, Nueva Zelandia, Antártida y Neuquén, a la vez que reconfirman la restricción del género al Campaniano Tardío-Maastrichtiano. Las diferencias de tamaño netas que existen entre las formas de 1) Antártida, 2) Nordpatagonia y sur de Mendoza y 3) Australia - Nueva Zelandia sugieren la presencia de especies diferentes en las tres regiones mencionadas. Los datos cronoestratigrafieos, hasta ahora disponibles, indican que las tres especies corresponden a edades diferentes. Las características ambientales de depositación de las unidades portantes en la Argentina son lacustres hasta salobres, en parte con influencia marina. La distribución geográfica del género es, según la información actual, netamente austral