Date of Award
Spring 5-8-2025
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Science (BS)
Department
Marine Science
College
College of Science
First Advisor
Eric Rosch
Abstract/Description
The emergence of microplastics as a threat to physiological and environmental health has led to an increase in studies in recent years that aim to identify and quantify potential risks to marine ecosystems. Ocypode quadrata is a species that is a critical component of coastal ecology, leading this study to collect and analyze specimens regarding microplastics and their presence as a pollutant to the marine environment. Samples were collected from beaches along the Grand Strand of South Carolina. Microplastic density and diversity were recorded from investigating fecal pellets from the captive crab specimens to examine microplastic abundance. In addition to microplastic content within the organisms, samples of sand taken from crab burrows nearby were analyzed to determine the extent to which environmental contamination transfers to O. quadrata. This research looks to use gathered data to define the origins and possible implications of microplastics on O. quadrata.
Recommended Citation
See, Michael, "Microplastics in Brachyurans: Comparing Contents of the Atlantic Ghost Crab, Ocypode quadrata, and their Surrounding Sediments" (2025). Honors Theses. 501.
https://digitalcommons.coastal.edu/honors-theses/501