A study carried out by Unesp, Bauru campus, with support from FAPESP, revealed contamination by microplastics in seven-headed shrimp (Xiphopenaeus kroyeri), on the coast of São Paulo. The research, part of the BIOTA Program, investigates the accumulation of these particles in crustaceans and their potential risks to the environment and human health, considering the consumption of these animals by the population.
The study covers two regions with distinct characteristics: Baixada Santista, an area with intense industrial, port and fishing activity, and Cananéia, a more preserved region on the southern coast of the state.
Choosing these areas allows us to compare how different ecosystems respond to exposure to microplastics.
The preliminary data from the research is alarming: between 80% and 90% of the shrimp analyzed showed microplastics in their gastrointestinal tracts.
Although the amount of particles varies between locations, the high percentage of contamination raises serious questions about the long-term consequences for the environment and consumers.
“Our proposal is to compare how shrimp from such different ecosystems respond to exposure to microplastics”, explains Daphine Herrera, post-doctoral fellow and FAPESP fellow heading the project.
The researcher highlights that the detritivorous habit of shrimp, which feed on debris at the bottom of the sea, exposes them to large amounts of microplastics present in marine sediments. This characteristic makes them ideal models for studying the bioaccumulation of these particles.
Microplastics
According to the São Paulo State Research Support Foundation (FAPESP), microplastics, particles smaller than 5 millimeters, represent 92.4% of marine plastic debris and are present throughout the oceanic environment.
Its presence has serious consequences for marine life and, consequently, for humans who consume seafood.
The Unesp research seeks to fill a gap in knowledge about microplastic contamination in seven-headed shrimp on the coast of São Paulo. The first stage of the study assesses the level of exposure in the animals' gastrointestinal tract, where microplastics are initially detected.
One of the project's central objectives is to investigate whether microplastic contamination affects the nutritional quality of shrimp, which would have important implications for human consumption.
The next phase of the research will analyze whether microplastics accumulate in tissues other than the gastrointestinal tract, such as muscle, the part most consumed by humans.
“We are just beginning to understand the extent of this problem, but the data already shows that the situation is alarming,” says Herrera. “This study is an important step towards better understanding the effects of marine pollution in Brazil and the potential repercussions for public health, especially in a country where seafood consumption is so significant.”
The project also encompasses the study of other decapod crustaceans, such as crabs, lobsters, crayfish and crabs, addressing different aspects such as life cycle, reproduction, population organization and evolutionary processes. Analysis of the evolutionary history of these species, focusing on ecosystems such as mangroves and estuaries, is also part of the work. The integration of results should help to understand aspects of environmental and social relevance, such as the conservation of species and ecosystems, in addition to the quality of the products that reach the consumer.
Source: CNN Brasil