What’s Bothering Barnacles? Microplastics and Selective Feeding in Barnacles

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dc.contributor.advisorDustan, Phillip
dc.contributor.authorClark, Emily Kathleen
dc.date.accessioned2022-03-29T19:01:49Z
dc.date.available2022-03-29T19:01:49Z
dc.date.created2018-05
dc.date.submittedMay 2018
dc.description.abstractMicroplastics are widely dispersed and pervasive in marine environments. Barnacles are capitular planktivores, therefore it was hypothesized that they could be actively ingesting the plastics, whose size—less than 5mm in diameter—parallels the barnacle’s diet. Two barnacle species (Chthamalus fragilis and Amphibalanus eburneus) were collected and analyzed for microplastic contamination. To assess the potential effects of microplastic on local barnacles, I examined the outer shell, mantle cavity, and body of 87 barnacles collected from three sampling sites—Brittlebank Park, Folly Beach, and the Harborwalk dock—for evidence of microplastics and their ingestion. I found that 77.1% of the barnacles had plastic particles present somewhere, ranging from one plastic particle to a maximum of 40 particles. However, no plastic particles had been directly consumed by the barnacles; since the vast majority of samples clearly came into contact with microplastics, it appears the barnacles are selectively feeding against plastics. The results of this study were disseminated into a work of children’s literature to provide accessibility and knowledge of the broader impacts of scientific research.
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdf
dc.identifier.urihttps://repository.library.cofc.edu/handle/123456789/5391
dc.language.isoen_US
dc.subjectMarine Biology, Science Communication, Children's Literature, Barnacle, Plastic, Microplastic, Ocean, Pollution
dc.titleWhat’s Bothering Barnacles? Microplastics and Selective Feeding in Barnacles
dc.type.genrethesis
dc.type.materialtext
local.embargo.lift2019-05-01
local.embargo.terms2019-05-01
thesis.degree.departmentBiology
thesis.degree.disciplineBiology
thesis.degree.grantorCollege of Charleston
thesis.degree.nameBachelor of Arts
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