Microplastic Abundance, Distribution and Impacts on Sargassum-Associated Juvenile Fishes in the Gulf of Mexico

<p>Microplastics are a concern in marine environments because they are highly durable, ubiquitous, and can be mistaken for food and ingested by small organisms. Pelagic <em>Sargassum</em>, an important habitat for larval and juvenile stages of many fish species, is found in large surface aggregations, and may provide complex structure in which microplastics become trapped. This could lead to greater risk of microplastic ingestion by fish early life stages associated with <em>Sargassum</em> habitats. To better understand the impacts of microplastics within <em>Sargassum</em> communities, this study examined 1) microplastic concentrations and ingestion by juvenile fishes associated with <em>Sargassum; 2) </em>the microbial communities associated with the <em>Sargassum</em> and microplastics; and 3) the influence of microplastic ingestion on the microbiomes of juvenile Gray Triggerfish. Neuston net samples were collected in 2017 and 2018 from open water and <em>Sargassum</em> habitats in the Gulf of Mexico to collect microplastics and fishes. Microplastic abundance was significantly higher in <em>Sargassum</em> habitats relative to open water habitats. Microplastics were identified in the stomach contents of many species of juvenile fishes with total microplastic frequency of occurrence ranging between 14.7-24.7%. Microplastics had a unique microbiome when compared to the surrounding environment. The microplastic microbiome was found to influence Gray Triggerfish gut microbiomes. The results from this project demonstrate that microplastics are being ingested by juvenile fishes in <em>Sargassum</em> and the unique microbiome of microplastics are influencing fish gut microbiomes.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science (MS)

Level thesis:degree_level

Masters Thesis

Year dc:date.available

2020

Author dc:creator

• Lestrade, Olivia

Contributors dc:contributor

• Dr. Frank Hernandez
• Dr. Kevin Dillon
• Dr. Leila Hamdan

• Triggerfish
• algae
• microorganism
• plastic
• biofilm
• Aquaculture and Fisheries
• Marine Biology
• Microbiology

Repository record dc:identifier

https://aquila.usm.edu/masters_theses/781

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:aquila.usm.edu:masters_theses-1834