ABOUT ASTRESS

The ASTRESS (Assessment of anthropogenic multistressors in zooplankton and suprabenthos) project aims to holistically study the effect of several anthropogenic stressors on zooplankton and suprabenthos.

The oceans are currently being affected, particularly by marine litter, chemical spills, and noise pollution. Some of the effects of these pollutants are well known, such as the effect of noise on cetacean behavior, endocrine disruption resulting from chemical pollution in fish, or the harm caused by the ingestion of microplastics in turtles, fish, and seabirds.

However, the cumulative effects of these pollutants have not yet been studied in zooplankton and suprabenthos, two fundamental groups within marine ecosystems. These groups are at the base of the food chain, hence their importance in both pelagic and coastal regions. Understanding the impact of global change on these groups is a priority for understanding the long-term effects on the oceans.

This project, which will last 36 months, from October 1, 2024, to September 31, 2027, is essential for advancing the sustainability and protection of marine ecosystems in the Canary Islands and is aligned with the strategic objectives of the Canary Islands' Smart Specialization Strategy (RIS-3) 2021-2027.

The ASTRESS project focuses on achieving the following objectives:

• Determine noise levels and abundance of microplastics with associated chemical contaminants in areas with low and high anthropogenic pressure.
• Evaluate the individual and joint effect of noise pollution and microplastics with chemical contaminants on zooplankton and suprabenthos physiology using biomarkers.
• Validate the R/ETS ratio (respiration and potential respiration by electron transport system activity) and CEA index (catalytic enzyme activity) as biomarkers of stress in zooplankton and suprabenthos.
• Determine threshold values of noise and microplastic pollution for zooplankton and suprabenthos.
• Communicate the results obtained to the scientific community and the general public.
• To carry out an outreach campaign on the problem of chemical, noise and marine debris pollution in the oceans.

The project is led by the research group of Ecophysiology of Marine Organisms (EOMAR), belonging to the University Institute for Research in Sustainable Aquaculture and Marine Ecosystems (ECOAQUA) of the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC).