Can the Atlantic ghost crab be a potential biomonitor of microplastic pollution of sandy beaches sediment?

The objective of the present study was to test whether the Atlantic ghost crab Ocypode quadrata is a reliable biomonitor of microplastic (MP) pollution of beach sediments. To test the hypothesis (H1) that the sediment is the main source of MP ingestion, the proportion of MP types (hard plastic, microfibers, pellet, soft plastic, and extruded polystyrene foam) in the gut content was compared with that on the strandline. The types of MPs in the gut content and sediment had similar proportions; black (~49%) and blue (~45%) microfibers were responsible for this similarity (55%), hence confirming H1. However, the second hypothesis (H2) that prevalence of MP in the gut content is related to its density on beach with distinct urbanization degree was not accepted. These results indicate that high trophic plasticity of the ghost crab and, consequently, multiple-sources of contamination may interfere with its use as a biomonitor of MP pollution. [Display omitted] •Potential of a ghost crab as biomonitor of microplastic (MP) pollution was investigated.•MP types and colors from gut content and sediment samples had similar proportions.•Sediment is the main but not the only source of MP uptake by the ghost crab.•Prevalence of MP in gut content was not related to its density in the sediment.•The ghost crab indicated the MP types, but not their amount in the sediment.