Ciaralli, Laura (2026) Advancing trophic ecology and microplastic ingestion in crustacean species: insights from a One Health perspective. [Tesi di dottorato]

Documento PDF 38_CIARALLI_PHD_THESIS.pdf Visibile a [TBR] Amministratori dell'archivio Download (11MB) | Richiedi una copia

Abstract

Microplastic pollution represents an emerging and complex stressor in marine ecosystems, with implications that extend across habitats, species, and trophic interactions. This doctoral thesis investigates the occurrence, pathways, and ecological drivers of microplastic exposure in Mediterranean marine systems through an integrative, multi-scale approach. Framed within a One Health perspective, the research adopts a progressive and integrative strategy to investigate microplastic pathways across Mediterranean marine environments, moving from habitat-level assessments to species-specific and multispecies trophic analyses. Initial analyses focus on seagrass ecosystems, which act as a hotspot of microplastic pollution, highlighting their ecological significance in shaping contaminant dynamics. A comprehensive review of global literature underlines their role as sentinel habitats for plastic accumulation, while revealing major knowledge gaps and methodological inconsistencies that hinder comparability across regions. Methodological validation is carried out through a detailed examination of selected fish species, allowing the development of a bioindication score. This framework identifies species that provide ecologically meaningful information on microplastic exposure, considering both their sensitivity to ingestion and their polyspecificity in microplastic ingestion. This analysis revealed a subset of pelagic and demersal taxa that reliably reflect microplastic bioavailability, establishing a robust foundation for subsequent studies on crustaceans and trophic transfer. The core of the thesis focuses on five commercially and ecologically important crustacean species that occupy key trophic positions in the Mediterranean Sea and have high commercial value for human consumption. A major methodological advancement is the adaptation and validation of microplastic extraction protocols specifically for decapod crustaceans, enabling standardised and reproducible assessments. Several case studies were examined, including comparative analyses of sympatric species, spatial gradients influenced by major pollution sources (e.g., the Tiber River), geographically distinct populations, and multi species analyses of crustaceans collected in the same area. Moreover, the inclusion of phthalate analyses further highlights the role of microplastics as vectors for xenobiotic contaminants. Through these approaches, the thesis demonstrates that microplastic ingestion patterns are shaped by a combination of local environmental pressures and species specific ecological traits. The integration of stable isotope analysis and genomic profiling of gastrointestinal contents provides complementary insights into long-term trophic positioning and short-term dietary composition, showing that results from either method alone would offer only a partial understanding of the trophic dynamics underlying microplastic ingestion. Instead, feeding strategies, habitat use, and prey selection play a decisive role in shaping contaminant pathways. By bridging habitat-, species-, and ecosystem-level perspectives, the work provides scientifically robust evidence to support harmonised monitoring frameworks and regulatory strategies aimed at safeguarding marine biodiversity, ecosystem integrity, and food security.

Downloads

Actions (login required)

Modifica documento