Jellyfish absorb plastic pollution

Researchers from the Adolphe Merkle Institute’s BioNanomaterials group have developed a sophisticated workflow to detect and observe microplastic interactions with marine life. Their investigations focused on the Cassiopea andromeda jellyfish, a common coastal species.

Microplastics are tiny particles ranging from 1 micrometer to 5 millimeters in size resulting from the breakdown of larger plastic debris. Humans are potentially exposed to microplastics through oral intake, inhalation, and skin contact. Originating from the degradation of larger plastic debris and direct sources such as wastewater treatment plants, microplastics also infiltrate marine ecosystems, posing a potential threat to the organisms there. Despite their minute size, they have a widespread presence in the ocean, possibly affecting fish, crustaceans, sea turtles, and even jellyfish to name but a few.

Published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology, the study highlights the role of jellyfish, once considered minor players in marine food chains, in the transfer of marine contaminants. Cassiopea andromeda, a jellyfish species inhabiting the seabed of shallow coastal waters, was chosen for this research due to its proximity to land-based sources of plastic waste and its potential to serve as a bioindicator species.

Jjuvenile Cassiopea samples were analyzed using a combination of confocal laser scanning microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and Raman spectroscopy to detect polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polypropylene (PP), two common forms of plastic.. These advanced techniques allowed the researchers to confirm the presence and interactions of microplastics within the jellyfish tissues.

The study demonstrated that the properties of the microplastics, such as density and hydrophobicity influenced interactions between the jellyfish and the pollutants. This optimized analytical protocol marks a significant advancement in the detection of microplastics in marine organisms, overcoming previous challenges posed by the small size and low concentration of the particles in natural environments.

This research not only provides a deeper understanding of how microplastics interact with marine life but also establishes a platform for future studies. The developed protocol highlights that carbon-based particles can be clearly detected in carbon-based lifeforms and could be instrumental in assessing the broader ecological impact of microplastics.

“This is particularly important since our study shows how we could analyze environmentally relevant samples,” explains BioNanomaterials co-chair, Prof. Alke Fink. “This would allow for a more holistic understanding of microplastic interactions with Cassiopea in their native environment and set the foundation for a better understanding of the quantitative impact of the particles on marine species..”

The AMI BioNanomaterials group has been investigating micro and nanoplastics for several years, notably the production and characterization of plastic micro- and nanoparticles made from materials commonly used in the packaging industry. These particles are subsequently used as test materials for further in-vitro studies to determine the potential effects of plastic micro- and nanoparticles on human health.

Reference: Caldwell, J.; Loussert-Fonta, C.; Toullec, G.; Heidelberg Lyndby, N.; Haenni, B.; Taladriz-Blanco, P.; Espiña, B.; Rothen-Rutishauser, B.; Petri-Fink, A. Correlative Light, Electron Microscopy and Raman Spectroscopy Workflow to Detect and Observe Microplastic Interactions with Whole Jellyfish. Environ. Sci. Technol. 2023, 57 (16), 6664–6672.