01-05 December 2025
INCOIS, Hyderabad, India.
| Abstract Submission No. | ABS-08-0167 |
| Title of Abstract | First Field Evidence of Microplastic Ingestion by Wild Zoanthids and a Global Meta-Analysis of Cnidaria |
| Authors | Dr. Jigneshkumar Trivedi*, Dushyant Joshi, Vasantkumar Rabari , Heris Patel |
| Organisation | Hemchandracharya North Gujarat University, Patan |
| Address | Department of Life Sciences, Hemchandracharya North Gujarat University Patan, Gujarat, India Pincode: 384265 E-mail: jntrivedi26@yahoo.co.in |
| Country | India |
| Presentation | Poster |
| Abstract | Microplastics (MPs) are pervasive marine pollutants and recognized as a major ecological threat. This study provides the first quantitative assessment of MP ingestion in three zoanthid species (Palythoa mutuki, Palythoa tuberculosa, Zoanthus sansibaricus) from four rocky shores in Gujarat, India, alongside associated sediment and surface water. MPs were extracted following standard protocols and characterized for abundance, morphology, size, colour, and polymer composition. Zoanthids, sediment, and water contained 886, 389, and 128 particles, with mean abundances of 9.99 ± 6.29 MPs/g, 11.36 ± 4.03 MPs/kg, and 0.93 ± 0.52 MPs/L, respectively. Zoanthus sansibaricus showed the highest MP load, and contamination varied significantly among sites, peaking in Dwarka for zoanthids and Sutrapada for sediment and water. Fibres dominated particle morphology, most were < 1 mm, and blue, black, and red were the most frequent colours. μATR-FTIR identified polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP), polyamide (PA), and polyurethane (PU) as dominant polymers. Principal component analysis indicated pH, sediment characteristics, and water quality as primary drivers of MP occurrence, while temperature and salinity had weaker or negative effects. Pollution indices classified Dhamlej as moderately contaminated and Veraval, Dwarka, and Sutrapada as highly contaminated. A global meta-analysis of cnidarian MP ingestion showed the jellyfish Pelagia noctiluca had the highest contamination, while the sea anemone Edwardsia meridionalis had the lowest. Across taxa, fibres, particles 0.5⿿3 mm, and red, black, and blue colours predominated, with polyethylene (PE) as the most abundant polymer. These findings identify zoanthids as overlooked bioindicators and sinks for MPs, with potential consequences for reef health and resilience. |
| Are you part of IIOE-2 endorsed project | no |
| Keywords | Marine environment, Plastic pollution, filter-feeding, ATP-FTIR , Raman, Gujarat coast |
| For Awards | no |