TEMPORAL INVESTIGATION OF TEXTILE MICROFIBER TRANSLOCATION IN THE MANGROVE CRAB

Abstract

This study uses the mangrove crab Ucides cordatus, a semi-terrestrial species from the mangroves of the Western Atlantic with significant economic and ecological importance, to assess the amount of fibers found in this organism. The hemolymph, the circulatory fluid of these invertebrates, was analyzed as it plays vital roles in physiological and immune functions. Specimens were collected and kept in laboratory conditions for 30 days. They were exposed to different concentrations of microfibers in controlled aquaria, with monitoring of physicochemical parameters and hemolymph sampling for microscopic analysis. Microfibers were manually quantified, and the data were analyzed using PERMANOVA. The results indicate that the different fiber concentrations significantly influenced the presence of these particles in the hemolymph of Ucides cordatus, in addition to highlighting environmental and human health risks. This reinforces the need for further studies on the degradation and ecotoxicological impacts of textile microfibers. The study contributes to understanding microfiber dispersion in estuarine ecosystems and suggests that, following chronic exposure, microfibers will be present in the hemolymph