Community and abundance of Meiofaunal biofouling inhabited on marine plastic debris from the coast of Korea during June 2021

Abstract

Plastic pollution in marine ecosystems has damaging effects on marine organism such as ingestion, entanglement, choking and invasion. The introduction of invasive species into new habitats can lead to decrease population and extinction of native species, and competition for food and space. The aim of this study was to analyze the abundance and composition of meiofaunal biofouling in the size range of 40-1,000 ㎛ according to the polymers of plastic debris in sampling sites during June 2021. Among stations for the national coastal plastic debris monitoring survey, eight coastal areas with high plastic debris were selected as sampling sites (Yeongdo, Myeongji, Heungnam beach, Myodo, Gohado, Naechi beach, Jeju Yongsupogu, Shinyang beach). And, we collected marine plastic debris that floating or washed up from the eight coastal areas. Polymers of marine plastic debris were classified based on the RIC(ASTM International Resin Identification Coding System). And attached organisms in the size range of 40-1,000 ㎛ on each type of plastic polymer was acquired by sieving detached or removed organisms through washing, culturing and scraping. Marine plastic debris were classified except for EPS (Expanded Polystyrene) into LDPE (Low Density Polyethylene), PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) and PP (Polypropylene). We classified a total of 35 taxa and commonly dominant appeared taxa were copepods (EPS: 22.6%, PP: 29.0%), foraminiferans (PET: 29.6%), and nematodes (LDPE: 30.8%). The taxa attached on the polymer types was similar to the dominant species in the meio-benthic organism inhabiting the coastal of Korea. The surface area of plastics was highest in LDPE (mean: 0.4029 m2) and lowest in PP (mean: 0.0208 m2). On the other hand, the abundance of each plastic polymer type was significantly higher in PP (mean: 3,225 inds. 0.1 m-2) than LDPE (mean: 50 inds. 0.1 m-2) and PET (mean: 95 inds. 0.1 m-2) (p < 0.01). Furthermore, there is negative correlation between the plastic debris area and abundance (r = -0.147, p < 0.05). Therefore, it was confirmed that the highest abundance of meiofaunal biofouling formed in PP than LDPE and PET with a relatively large surface area. These results suggest that either polymer type and area of marine plastic debris were likely associated with the integrated abundance of meiofaunal biofouling in a size range of 40-1,000 ㎛ on marine plastic debris collected from the coastal of Korea during June 2021.