Kathy Townsend

‘COVID waste’ and social media as method: an archaeology of personal protective equipment and its contribution to policy

Publisher: Antiquity Publications

Date: 16-03-2021

DOI: 10.15184/AQY.2021.18

Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic is creating a viral archive—an archaeological record of history in the making. One aspect of this archive is increased environmental pollution, not least through the discarded facemasks and gloves that characterise the pandemic. This article—directed specifically at archaeologists—argues that an archaeological perspective on ‘COVID waste’ using social media analysis can help to highlight environmental pollution, and that by giving this waste the status of archaeological material and working with other disciplines, archaeologists can contribute to sustainable, policy-led solutions to combat environmental pollution.

Community structure of soft sediment pool fishes in Moreton Bay, Australia

Publisher: Wiley

Date: 13-01-2011

DOI: 10.1111/J.1095-8649.2010.02866.X

Abstract: A survey of soft sediment tide pools was conducted to assess the occupation and assemblage of fishes on three different intertidal shores in Moreton Bay, Australia, between January and December 2009. Tide-pool volume ranged from 0· 30 to 29· 75 l and varied significantly between months and sites. A total of 1364 in iduals representing 15 species and nine families of fishes were observed. At Dunwich, fish assemblages were dominated by the sand goby Favonigobius lentiginosus (89%) and whiting, Sillago spp. (10%). At Manly, the gobies Favonigobius exquisitus (37%), Pseudogobius sp. (31%) and the blenny Omobranchus punctatus (19%) dominated the shores while at Godwin Beach, F. lentiginosus (15%), F. exquisitus (45%) and Sillago spp. (25%) were the most abundant species. The mean ±s.e. density of fishes ranged from 0· 29 ± 0· 13 to 5· 04 ± 1· 74 fishes l(-1) and abundance of fish correlated with pool volume. Juveniles (75%) dominated assemblages suggesting that soft sediment pools may act as nurseries. The persistent and recurrent fish assemblages found in soft sediment tide pools in Moreton Bay suggest that these shores are behaving more like a tropical than a temperate climate shore, as there was no significant difference of fish abundances between seasons.

Mutualism promotes site selection in a large marine planktivore

Publisher: Wiley

Date: 26-03-2021

DOI: 10.1002/ECE3.7464

Abstract: Mutualism is a form of symbiosis whereby both parties benefit from the relationship. An ex le is cleaning symbiosis, which has been observed in terrestrial and marine environments. The most recognized form of marine cleaning symbiosis is that of cleaner fishes and their clients. Cleaner species set up cleaning stations on the reef, and other species seek out their services. However, it is not well understood how the presence of cleaning stations influence movements of large highly mobile species. We examined the role of cleaning stations as a driver of movement and habitat use in a mobile client species. Here, we used a combination of passive acoustic telemetry and in‐water surveys to investigate cleaning station attendance by the reef manta ray Mobula alfredi . We employed a novel approach in the form of a fine‐scale acoustic receiver array set up around a known cleaning area and tagged 42 rays. Within the array, we mapped structural features, surveyed the distribution of cleaner wrasse, and observed the habitat use of the rays. We found manta ray space use was significantly associated with blue‐streak cleaner wrasse Labroides dimidiatus distribution and hard coral substrate. Cleaning interactions dominated their habitat use at this site, taking precedence over other life history traits such as feeding and courtship. This study has demonstrated that cleaning symbiosis is a driver for highly mobile, and otherwise pelagic, species to visit inshore reef environments. We suggest that targeted and long‐term use of specific cleaning stations reflects manta rays having a long‐term memory and cognitive map of some shallow reef environments where quality cleaning is provided. We hypothesize that animals prefer cleaning sites in proximity to productive foraging regions.

Variation in occupancy and habitat use of Mobula alfredi at a major aggregation site

Publisher: Inter-Research Science Center

Date: 12-07-2018

DOI: 10.3354/MEPS12610

Reef manta rays forage on tidally driven, high density zooplankton patches in Hanifaru Bay, Maldives

Publisher: PeerJ

Date: 23-08-2021

DOI: 10.7717/PEERJ.11992

Abstract: Manta rays forage for zooplankton in tropical and subtropical marine environments, which are generally nutrient-poor. Feeding often occurs at predictable locations where these large, mobile cartilaginous fishes congregate to exploit ephemeral productivity hotspots. Investigating the zooplankton dynamics that lead to such feeding aggregations remains a key question for understanding their movement ecology. The aim of this study is to investigate the feeding environment at the largest known aggregation for reef manta rays Mobula alfredi in the world. We s led zooplankton throughout the tidal cycle, and recorded M. alfredi activity and behaviour, alongside environmental variables at Hanifaru Bay, Mal es. We constructed generalised linear models to investigate possible relationships between zooplankton dynamics, environmental parameters, and how they influenced M. alfredi abundance, behaviour, and foraging strategies. Zooplankton biomass changed rapidly throughout the tidal cycle, and M. alfredi feeding events were significantly related to high zooplankton biomass. Mobula alfredi switched from non-feeding to feeding behaviour at a prey density threshold of 53.7 mg dry mass m −3 more than double the calculated density estimates needed to theoretically meet their metabolic requirements. The highest numbers of M. alfredi observed in Hanifaru Bay corresponded to when they were engaged in feeding behaviour. The community composition of zooplankton was different when M. alfredi was feeding (dominated by copepods and crustaceans) compared to when present but not feeding (more gelatinous species present than in feeding s les). The dominant zooplankton species recorded was Undinula vulgaris . This is a large-bodied calanoid copepod species that blooms in oceanic waters, suggesting offshore influences at the site. Here, we have characterised aspects of the feeding environment for M. alfredi in Hanifaru Bay and identified some of the conditions that may result in large aggregations of this threatened planktivore, and this information can help inform management of this economically important marine protected area.

Comparing plastic ingestion in juvenile and adult stranded short-tailed shearwaters (Puffinus tenuirostris) in eastern Australia

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 2014

DOI: 10.1016/J.MARPOLBUL.2013.11.009

Abstract: Numerous species of seabirds have been shown to ingest anthropogenic debris, but few studies have compared ingestion rates between adults and juveniles of the same species. We investigated marine debris ingestion by short-tailed shearwaters (Puffinus tenuirostris) obtained through two stranding events on North Stradbroke Island, Australia in 2010 (n=102 adult) and 2012 (n=27 juveniles). Necropsies were conducted and solid contents found in guts were categorized into type and color. Over 67% of birds ingested anthropogenic debris: 399 pieces of debris were identified. We found no significant relationship between body condition of birds which had ingested anthropogenic debris and those that had not. Juvenile birds were more likely to ingest debris than were adult birds and juveniles ingested significantly more pieces of debris than did adults. Male and female birds ingested similar amounts and weights of debris. To determine if P. tenuirostris actively selects for certain types of debris, we compared ingested debris to s les obtained from boat-based tows. Significant differences were found, suggesting that the birds select for hard plastic, rubber and balloons.

Levels of arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury in the branchial plate and muscle tissue of mobulid rays

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 05-2015

DOI: 10.1016/J.MARPOLBUL.2015.02.005

Abstract: Mobulid rays are targeted in fisheries for their branchial plates, for use in Chinese medicine. Branchial plate and muscle tissue from Mobula japanica were collected from fish markets in Sri Lanka, and muscle tissue biopsies from Manta alfredi in Australia. These were analysed for arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury and compared to maximum levels (MLs) set by Food Standards Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ), European Commission (EC) and Codex Alimentarius Commission. The estimated intake for a vulnerable human age group was compared to minimal risk levels set by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. The mean inorganic arsenic concentration in M. japanica muscle was equivalent to the FSANZ ML while cadmium exceeded the EC ML. The mean concentration of lead in M. alfredi muscle tissue exceeded EC and Codex MLs. There were significant positive linear correlations between branchial plate and muscle tissue concentrations for arsenic, cadmium and lead.

Research Priorities to Support Effective Manta and Devil Ray Conservation

Publisher: No publisher found

Date: 2018

DOI: 10.3389/FMARS.2018.00314}

Is acoustic tracking appropriate for air-breathing marine animals? Dugongs as a case study

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 03-2015

DOI: 10.1016/J.JEMBE.2014.11.013

When Giants Turn Up: Sighting Trends, Environmental Influences and Habitat Use of the Manta Ray Manta alfredi at a Coral Reef

Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)

Date: 2012

DOI: 10.1371/JOURNAL.PONE.0046170.S001

Global Analysis of Anthropogenic Debris Ingestion by Sea Turtles

Publisher: Wiley

Date: 05-08-2013

DOI: 10.1111/COBI.12126

Abstract: Ingestion of marine debris can have lethal and sublethal effects on sea turtles and other wildlife. Although researchers have reported on ingestion of anthropogenic debris by marine turtles and implied incidences of debris ingestion have increased over time, there has not been a global synthesis of the phenomenon since 1985. Thus, we analyzed 37 studies published from 1985 to 2012 that report on data collected from before 1900 through 2011. Specifically, we investigated whether ingestion prevalence has changed over time, what types of debris are most commonly ingested, the geographic distribution of debris ingestion by marine turtles relative to global debris distribution, and which species and life‐history stages are most likely to ingest debris. The probability of green ( Chelonia mydas ) and leatherback turtles ( Dermochelys coriacea ) ingesting debris increased significantly over time, and plastic was the most commonly ingested debris. Turtles in nearly all regions studied ingest debris, but the probability of ingestion was not related to modeled debris densities. Furthermore, smaller, oceanic‐stage turtles were more likely to ingest debris than coastal foragers, whereas carnivorous species were less likely to ingest debris than herbivores or gelatinovores. Our results indicate oceanic leatherback turtles and green turtles are at the greatest risk of both lethal and sublethal effects from ingested marine debris. To reduce this risk, anthropogenic debris must be managed at a global level. Análisis Global de la Ingesta de Residuos Antropogénicos por Tortugas Marinas

Contemporary Archaeology as a Framework for Investigating the Impact of Disposable Plastic Bags on Environmental Pollution in Galápagos

Publisher: Equinox Publishing

Date: 17-05-2020

DOI: 10.1558/JCA.41134

Abstract: This paper presents contemporary archaeology as a novel framework for investigating environmental pollution, specifically marine pollution, which comprises a global “toxic assemblage” of an estimated 5.25 trillion plastic artefacts. The ideas behind this approach were developed in 2018 during a multidisciplinary “Science to Solutions” workshop held in Galápagos (Ecuador), led by the Galápagos National Park and Galapagos Conservation Trust and hosted by the Galapagos Science Center and the Charles Darwin Research Station. These ideas informed two studies which began separately but became increasingly aligned within a contemporary archaeology framework, in effect tackling the same problem from two very different perspectives: the first involving surface mapping, designed to inform an understanding of how plastic items enter the environment, including the marine environment, in the first place and the second comprising utilization-focused evaluation, designed to better understand people’s behaviours and aspirations. Both of the studies centred on a specific and ubiquitous type of item or artefact: the disposable plastic bag. We conclude that the two studies together demonstrate that, through giving primacy to material culture, contemporary archaeology can (1) serve as a cross-disciplinary framework for tackling environmental pollution, and (2) provide a basis for shaping practice and informing policy.

Multiple anthropogenic stressors in the Galápagos Islands' complex social–ecological system: Interactions of marine pollution, fishing pressure, and climate change with management recommendations

Publisher: Wiley

Date: 06-09-2022

DOI: 10.1002/IEAM.4661

Abstract: For decades, multiple anthropogenic stressors have threatened the Galápagos Islands. Widespread marine pollution such as oil spills, persistent organic pollutants, metals, and ocean plastic pollution has been linked to concerning changes in the ecophysiology and health of Galápagos species. Simultaneously, illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing are reshaping the composition and structure of endemic and native Galápagos pelagic communities. In this novel review, we discuss the impact of anthropogenic pollutants and their associated ecotoxicological implications for Galápagos species in the face of climate change stressors. We emphasize the importance of considering fishing pressure and marine pollution, in combination with climate‐change impacts, when assessing the evolutionary fitness of species inhabiting the Galápagos. For ex le, the survival of endemic marine iguanas has been negatively affected by organic hydrocarbons introduced via oil spills, and endangered Galápagos sea lions exhibit detectable concentrations of DDT, triggering potential feminization effects and compromising the species' survival. During periods of ocean warming (El Niño events) when endemic species undergo nutritional stress, climate change may increase the vulnerability of these species to the impacts of pollutants, resulting in the species reaching its population tipping point. Marine plastics are emerging as a deleterious and widespread threat to endemic species. The Galápagos is treasured for its historical significance and its unparalleled living laboratory and display of evolutionary processes however, this unique and iconic paradise will remain in jeopardy until multidisciplinary and comprehensive preventative management plans are put in place to mitigate and eliminate the effects of anthropogenic stressors facing the islands today. We present a critical analysis and synthesis of anthropogenic stressors with some progress from local and international institutional efforts and call to action more precautionary measures along with new management philosophies focused on understanding the processes of change through research to ch ion the conservation of the Galápagos. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2023 :870–895. © 2022 SETAC

A quantitative analysis linking sea turtle mortality and plastic debris ingestion

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Date: 13-09-2018

DOI: 10.1038/S41598-018-30038-Z

Abstract: Plastic in the marine environment is a growing environmental issue. Sea turtles are at significant risk of ingesting plastic debris at all stages of their lifecycle with potentially lethal consequences. We tested the relationship between the amount of plastic a turtle has ingested and the likelihood of death, treating animals that died of known causes unrelated to plastic ingestion as a statistical control group. We utilized two datasets one based on necropsies of 246 sea turtles and a second using 706 records extracted from a national strandings database. Animals dying of known causes unrelated to plastic ingestion had less plastic in their gut than those that died of either indeterminate causes or due to plastic ingestion directly (e.g. via gut impaction and perforation). We found a 50% probability of mortality once an animal had 14 pieces of plastic in its gut. Our results provide the critical link between recent estimates of plastic ingestion and the population effects of this environmental threat.

Movements and habitat use of reef manta rays off eastern Australia: offshore excursions, deep diving and eddy affinity revealed by satellite telemetry

Publisher: Inter-Research Science Center

Date: 09-09-2014

DOI: 10.3354/MEPS10910

Variation in occupancy and habitat use of Mobula alfredi at a major aggregation site

Publisher: No publisher found

Date: 2018

DOI: 10.3354/MEPS12610}

To Eat or Not to Eat? Debris Selectivity by Marine Turtles

Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)

Date: 19-07-2012

DOI: 10.1371/JOURNAL.PONE.0040884

The geographic distribution of reef and oceanic manta rays in the south-east Indian and south-west Pacific Oceans

Publisher: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory

Date: 06-08-2019

DOI: 10.1101/727651

Abstract: The reef manta ray, Mobula alfredi , occurs in tropical and warm temperate coastal waters, and around islands and reefs in the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Published records that relate to the distribution of M. alfredi in the south-east Indian and south-west Pacific Oceans are largely restricted to locations where there is a focus on manta ray ecotourism, with little information from elsewhere. Even less is known about the circumglobally distributed oceanic manta ray, Mobula birostris , for which there are few published sighting records. We collated n = 11,703 sighting records from Australian waters and offshore territories for M. alfredi sourced from scientific image databases ( n = 10,715), aerial surveys ( n = 375) and online reports ( n = 613). From collated records, we confirm that the species shows an uninterrupted distribution within Australian coastal waters north of 26°S on the west coast to 31°S on the east coast, with a southernmost record at 34°S. Confirmed locations for M. birostris encompass a latitudinal range of 10-40°S. Records from more southerly locations relate to warm-water events. Sightings of M. birostris were rare, but were confirmed at several geographically separate locations, probably reflecting its preference for offshore waters. The study clarifies the occurrence and range of each species within coastal waters of the south-east Indian and south-west Pacific Oceans, and highlights regions in northern Australia that are of specific interest for future research into possible movements of in iduals between international marine jurisdictions.

The geographic distribution of reef and oceanic manta rays (Mobula alfredi and Mobula birostris) in Australian coastal waters.

Publisher: Wiley

Date: 28-01-2020

DOI: 10.1111/JFB.14256

Abstract: The known distribution of manta rays in Australian waters is patchy, with records primarily centred around tourism hotspots. We collated 11,614 records of Mobula alfredi from photo-ID databases (n = 10,715), aerial surveys (n = 378) and online reports (n = 521). The study confirms an uninterrupted coastal distribution from north of 26°S and 31°S on the west and east coasts, respectively. More southerly M. alfredi records relate to warm-water events with a southernmost extent at 34°S. Coastal sightings of Mobula birostris were rare (n = 32), likely reflecting a preference for offshore waters, but encompass a wider latitudinal extent than M. alfredi of 10-40°S.

Photographic identification and citizen science combine to reveal long distance movements of individual reef manta rays Mobula alfredi along Australia’s east coast

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Date: 22-07-2019

DOI: 10.1186/S41200-019-0173-6

Diving into the vertical dimension of elasmobranch movement ecology.

Publisher: American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)

Date: 19-08-2022

DOI: 10.1126/SCIADV.ABO1754

Abstract: Knowledge of the three-dimensional movement patterns of elasmobranchs is vital to understand their ecological roles and exposure to anthropogenic pressures. To date, comparative studies among species at global scales have mostly focused on horizontal movements. Our study addresses the knowledge gap of vertical movements by compiling the first global synthesis of vertical habitat use by elasmobranchs from data obtained by deployment of 989 biotelemetry tags on 38 elasmobranch species. Elasmobranchs displayed high intra- and interspecific variability in vertical movement patterns. Substantial vertical overlap was observed for many epipelagic elasmobranchs, indicating an increased likelihood to display spatial overlap, biologically interact, and share similar risk to anthropogenic threats that vary on a vertical gradient. We highlight the critical next steps toward incorporating vertical movement into global management and monitoring strategies for elasmobranchs, emphasizing the need to address geographic and taxonomic biases in deployments and to concurrently consider both horizontal and vertical movements.

Mistaken identity? Visual similarities of marine debris to natural prey items of sea turtles

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Date: 2014

DOI: 10.1186/1472-6785-14-14

Prey Density Threshold and Tidal Influence on Reef Manta Ray Foraging at an Aggregation Site on the Great Barrier Reef

Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)

Date: 04-05-2016

DOI: 10.1371/JOURNAL.PONE.0153393

Research Priorities to Support Effective Manta and Devil Ray Conservation

Publisher: Frontiers Media SA

Date: 18-09-2018

DOI: 10.3389/FMARS.2018.00314

Anthropogenic debris ingestion by avifauna in eastern Australia

Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)

Date: 30-08-2016

DOI: 10.1371/JOURNAL.PONE.0158343

Meiofauna sediment relations in leeward slope turf algae of Heron Island reef

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Date: 17-06-2008

DOI: 10.1007/S10750-008-9442-9

When Giants Turn Up: Sighting Trends, Environmental Influences and Habitat Use of the Manta Ray Manta alfredi at a Coral Reef

Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)

Date: 03-10-2012

DOI: 10.1371/JOURNAL.PONE.0046170

Risk analysis reveals global hotspots for marine debris ingestion by sea turtles

Publisher: Wiley

Date: 14-09-2016

DOI: 10.1111/GCB.13078

Abstract: Plastic marine debris pollution is rapidly becoming one of the critical environmental concerns facing wildlife in the 21st century. Here we present a risk analysis for plastic ingestion by sea turtles on a global scale. We combined global marine plastic distributions based on ocean drifter data with sea turtle habitat maps to predict exposure levels to plastic pollution. Empirical data from necropsies of deceased animals were then utilised to assess the consequence of exposure to plastics. We modelled the risk (probability of debris ingestion) by incorporating exposure to debris and consequence of exposure, and included life history stage, species of sea turtle and date of stranding observation as possible additional explanatory factors. Life history stage is the best predictor of debris ingestion, but the best-fit model also incorporates encounter rates within a limited distance from stranding location, marine debris predictions specific to the date of the stranding study and turtle species. There is no difference in ingestion rates between stranded turtles vs. those caught as bycatch from fishing activity, suggesting that stranded animals are not a biased representation of debris ingestion rates in the background population. Oceanic life-stage sea turtles are at the highest risk of debris ingestion, and olive ridley turtles are the most at-risk species. The regions of highest risk to global sea turtle populations are off of the east coasts of the USA, Australia and South Africa the east Indian Ocean, and Southeast Asia. Model results can be used to predict the number of sea turtles globally at risk of debris ingestion. Based on currently available data, initial calculations indicate that up to 52% of sea turtles may have ingested debris.

The ecological significance of the combtoothed blenny in a coral reef ecosystem

Publisher: Wiley

Date: 07-2004

DOI: 10.1111/J.0022-1112.2004.00426.X

A quantitative analysis linking sea turtle mortality and plastic debris ingestion

Publisher: No publisher found

Date: 2018

DOI: 10.1038/S41598-018-30038-Z}

Correction: To eat or not to eat? Debris selectivity by marine turtles (PLoS ONE (2012) 7:7 (e40884) DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0040884)

Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)

Date: 26-08-2019

DOI: 10.1371/JOURNAL.PONE.0221846

Characterization of the trade in manta and devil ray gill plates in China and South‐east Asia through trader surveys

Publisher: Wiley

Date: 06-2016

DOI: 10.1002/AQC.2670

Death in the octopus’ garden: fatal blue-lined octopus envenomations of adult green sea turtles

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Date: 03-12-2011

DOI: 10.1007/S00227-011-1846-9

Summary of the generalised additive model for assessing the influence of each predictor to the relative abundance manta rays (M. alfredi) exhibiting cruising, cleaning and foraging behaviour at LEI.

Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)

Date: 2012

DOI: 10.1371/JOURNAL.PONE.0046170.T002

Experimental degradation of polymer shopping bags (standard and degradable plastic, and biodegradable) in the gastrointestinal fluids of sea turtles

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 02-2012

DOI: 10.1016/J.SCITOTENV.2011.10.069

Abstract: The persistence of marine debris such as discarded polymer bags has become globally an increasing hazard to marine life. To date, over 177 marine species have been recorded to ingest man-made polymers that cause life-threatening complications such as gut impaction and perforation. This study set out to test the decay characteristics of three common types of shopping bag polymers in sea turtle gastrointestinal fluids (GIF): standard and degradable plastic, and biodegradable. Fluids were obtained from the stomachs, small intestines and large intestines of a freshly dead Green turtle (Chelonia mydas) and a Loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta). Controls were carried out with salt and freshwater. The degradation rate was measured over 49 days, based on mass loss. Degradation rates of the standard and the degradable plastic bags after 49 days across all treatments and controls were negligible. The biodegradable bags showed mass losses between 3 and 9%. This was a much slower rate than reported by the manufacturers in an industrial composting situation (100% in 49 days). The GIF of the herbivorous Green turtle showed an increased capacity to break down the biodegradable polymer relative to the carnivorous Loggerhead, but at a much lower rate than digestion of natural vegetative matter. While the breakdown rate of biodegradable polymers in the intestinal fluids of sea turtles is greater than standard and degradable plastics, it is proposed that this is not rapid enough to prevent morbidity. Further study is recommended to investigate the speed at which biodegradable polymers decompose outside of industrial composting situations, and their durability in marine and freshwater systems.

Global research priorities to mitigate plastic pollution impacts on marine wildlife

Publisher: Inter-Research Science Center

Date: 17-10-2014

DOI: 10.3354/ESR00623

Size of marine debris items ingested and retained by petrels

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 05-2019

DOI: 10.1016/J.MARPOLBUL.2019.04.021

Abstract: Pollution of the world's oceans by marine debris has direct consequences for wildlife, with fragments of plastic <10 mm the most abundant buoyant litter in the ocean. Seabirds are susceptible to debris ingestion, commonly mistaking floating plastics for food. Studies have shown that half of petrel species regularly ingest anthropogenic waste. Despite the regularity of debris ingestion, no studies to date have quantified the dimensions of debris items ingested across petrel species ranging in size. We excised and measured 1694 rigid anthropogenic debris items from 348 petrel carcasses of 20 species. We found that although the size of items ingested by petrels scale positively with the size of the bird, 90% of all debris items ingested across species fall within a narrow "danger zone" range of 2-10 mm, overlapping with the most abundant oceanic debris size. We conclude that this globally profuse size range of marine plastics is an ingestion hazard to petrels.

Distribution and toxicity of persistent organic pollutants and methoxylated polybrominated diphenylethers in different tissues of the green turtle Chelonia mydas

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 05-2021

DOI: 10.1016/J.ENVPOL.2021.116795

Fatty acid composition (mean standard error %of total FA) for tissue biopsies of the reef manta ray Manta alfredi collected off eastern Australia and Mozambique.

Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)

Date: 2013

DOI: 10.1371/JOURNAL.PONE.0077152.T002

A historical and contemporary consideration of the diet of the manta ray, Manta alfredi, from the Great Barrier Reef, Australia

Publisher: CSIRO Publishing

Date: 2016

DOI: 10.1071/MF16046

Abstract: The preserved stomach contents from the manta ray, collected in 1935, that provided the basis for the 2009 taxonomic resurrection of the species Manta alfredi, were examined. The majority of the material comprised calanoid copepods (61.7%) and trypanorhynch cestodes (34.6%), with minor contributions by arrow worms, a barnacle larva and a nematode. Comparison of the size-frequency distributions of stomach contents with that of zooplankton from the Great Barrier Reef region suggest that this manta ray preferentially ingested large copepods, or that the filter mechanism used to extract prey from the water was selective for prey items over 0.8mm in length. This is the first description of the diet of M. alfredi from stomach contents, and is consistent with previous inferences about what this species consumes.

Satellite Tagging and Photographic Identification Reveal Connectivity Between Two UNESCO World Heritage Areas for Reef Manta Rays

Publisher: Frontiers Media SA

Date: 28-08-2020

DOI: 10.3389/FMARS.2020.00725

Uptake and Depuration Kinetics Influence Microplastic Bioaccumulation and Toxicity in Antarctic Krill (Euphausia superba)

Publisher: American Chemical Society (ACS)

Date: 03-02-2018

DOI: 10.1021/ACS.EST.7B05759

Abstract: The discarding of plastic products has led to the ubiquitous occurrence of microplastic particles in the marine environment. The uptake and depuration kinetics of ingested microplastics for many marine species still remain unknown despite its importance for understanding bioaccumulation potential to higher trophic level consumers. In this study, Antarctic krill ( Euphausia superba) were exposed to polyethylene microplastics to quantify acute toxicity and ingestion kinetics, providing insight into the bioaccumulation potential of microplastics at the first-order consumer level. In the 10 day acute toxicity assay, no mortality or dose-dependent weight loss occurred in exposed krill, at any of the exposure concentrations (0, 10, 20, 40, or 80% plastic diet). Krill exposed to a 20% plastic diet for 24 h displayed fast uptake (22 ng mg

Size and age-concentration relationships for perfluoroalkyl substances in stingray livers from eastern Australia

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 10-2014

DOI: 10.1016/J.SCITOTENV.2014.07.010

Abstract: While the literature has reported a widespread occurrence of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in marine biota, very limited studies have been dedicated to the southern hemisphere. Hepatic concentrations of nine PFAAs were analysed in 49 stranded stingrays from eastern Australia using liquid chromatograph coupled with tandem mass spectrometry and relationships with biological parameters (i.e. body size, age and sex) were investigated. Perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) were the predominant compounds quantified, with hepatic concentrations varying from 2 to 117 and from 0.2 to 19 ng·g(-1) w.w., respectively. A negative correlation between the concentration of PFASs in the livers of 32 blue-spotted stingrays and the body size/age was found. This relationship was independent of the animal's sex. We postulate that the dependence on body size is related to differing uptake kinetics of the chemicals, after the sting rays were exposed to an increased level of the contaminants in their environment. Such a pollution event could be related to a severe flood event that occurred at this location a few months before the s les' collection. Our results indicate that the influence of the body size/age should be taken into account when estimating bioaccumulation parameters from environmental measurements or exposure levels of biota to PFASs.

Uptake and Depuration Kinetics Influence Microplastic Bioaccumulation and Toxicity in Antarctic KriII (Euphausia superba)

Publisher: No publisher found

Date: 2018

DOI: 10.1021/ACS.EST.7B05759}

Use of anthropogenic-related nest material and nest parasite prevalence have increased over the past two centuries in Australian birds

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Date: 08-07-2021

DOI: 10.1007/S00442-021-04982-Z

University Of The Sunshine Coast

Location: Australia

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University Of Queensland

Location: Australia

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University Of The Sunshine Coast - Fraser Coast Campus

Location: Australia

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Connectivity And Movements Of Large Pelagic Species Of Ecotourism Value.

Start Date: 2015

End Date: 2020

Funder: Australian Research Council

An Integrated Examination Of The Drivers Of Movements Of Large Filter Feeding Organisms Of High Ecotourism Value: A Case Study

Start Date: 2011

End Date: 2013

Funder: Australian Research Council

Using Biodiesel Cleanup Agents To Reduce Impacts On Mangroves And Tidal Wetland Ecosystems From Oil Spills

Start Date: 2010

End Date: 2012

Funder: Australian Research Council

Identifying The Risks And Assessing The Impacts Of Marine Debris On Sea Turtles In Australian Waters

Start Date: 2011

End Date: 2014

Funder: Australian Research Council

Linkage Projects - Grant ID: LP110100712

Start Date: 06-2011

End Date: 04-2015

Amount: $190,000.00

Funder: Australian Research Council

Linkage Projects - Grant ID: LP110200216

Start Date: 03-2012

End Date: 03-2016

Amount: $465,000.00

Funder: Australian Research Council

Linkage Projects - Grant ID: LP100100650

Start Date: 12-2010

End Date: 12-2016

Amount: $120,000.00

Funder: Australian Research Council

Linkage Projects - Grant ID: LP210200550

Start Date: 08-2023

End Date: 08-2026

Amount: $323,388.00

Funder: Australian Research Council