TEMPORAL INVESTIGATION OF TEXTILE MICROFIBER TRANSLOCATION IN THE MANGROVE CRAB

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.