THE NEED OF AN HARMONIZED METHODOLOGICAL APPROACH TO DETECT THE IMPACT OF MICROPLASTICS IN THE MEDITERRANEAN BIODIVERSITY: THE PLASTIC BUSTERS INITIATIVE EXPERIENCE

The Mediterranean Sea is home to a exceptional diversity of habitats and species. The IUCN has designated the region as a biodiversity hotspot, because of its rich biodiversity and its threatened status, including multiple anthropogenic stressors such as marine litter (ML) and microplastics (MPs). Due to the multiple sources of pollution and different environmental compartments to be monitored, it is essential to develop a harmonized methodology approach to detect the impact of ML and MPs at basin scale to preserve Mediterranean biodiversity. The Plastic Busters Initiative, kick-started in 2013 in Siena, was born to address scientific gaps and to bind together the monitoring efforts on many habitats and species, including marine protected areas (MPAs) and endangered species. Here we presented the main outcome obtained under the umbrella of the Plastic Busters initiative through the implementation of three European projects: a) Plastic Busters MPAs Med-Interreg, b) COMMON ENI CBC, c) Plastic Busters CAP ENI CCBC. Four main results from the deployed harmonized monitoring approach in biota, will be described: The comprehensive assessment of the impact of ML, including MPs in a wide range of bioindicator species (46) in the several pilot areas (10 MPAs), with the selection of several candidate bioindicators (ranging from invertebrates to marine mammals); The validation of the threefold monitoring approach (ML and MPs detection, plastic tracers analysis and biological endpoints) in several bioindicators; The validation of new methods to detect the impact of ML in endangered species (e.g. omics techniques in cetaceans); The development of risk map showing the impact of ML on MS biodiversity with the case study of the Pelagos Sanctuary. The proposed harmonized methodology could be adapted in multiple Mediterranean MPAs based on their extension and characteristics – including SPAMIs and EBSAs supporting the development of MSFD TGML and the Barcelona Convention IMAP protocols. Also see: https://micro2022.sciencesconf.org/426661/document