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Spatial variation of microplastics and dissolved organic matter: deciphering their coupled impact on eukaryotic community assembly in the Fen River
Summary
Researchers studied the Fen River in China and found that microplastic concentrations were consistently higher downstream, where they disrupted the diversity and stability of eukaryotic (complex-celled) aquatic organisms compared to cleaner upstream sites. The findings show that microplastics interact with dissolved organic matter to reshape river ecosystems, reducing the complexity of ecological networks in more polluted stretches.
• Microplastics abundance is consistently higher downstream in both water and sediment. • Eukaryotic community structures differ significantly between upstream and downstream locations. • Co-occurrence network analysis shows stronger interactions among eukaryotic organisms upstream. • DOM characteristics reveal significant spatial heterogeneity and transformation processes. • SEM demonstrates microplastics affect eukaryotic through direct or indirect effects. Microplastics are pervasive in various ecosystems, posing significant ecological challenges due to their persistence and interaction with dissolved organic matter (DOM). This study investigated the distribution of microplastics and their impact with DOM upon eukaryotic communities in the Fen River, China. Specifically, samples from upstream (Ningwu county) and downstream (Xiaodian district) regions of the river were analyzed to assess the abundance of microplastics in the water as well as sediment, the community composition and diversity of eukaryotes, and the fluorescence characteristics of DOM. Results indicated that microplastic abundance is consistently higher downstream than upstream. The eukaryotic community’s structure and composition differed significantly between upstream and downstream locations, being influenced not only by the local environment’s physicochemical properties but also the presence of microplastics. Co-occurrence network analysis revealed stronger interactions among eukaryotic organisms in the less-polluted upstream areas, suggesting more stable and complex ecosystems there. Fluorescence analysis of DOM identified significant spatial heterogeneity and transformation processes, with tryptophan-like compounds prevalent in upstream sediment and tyrosine-like compounds in downstream sediment; water DOM fluorescence fractions were similar upstream and downstream. The presence of microplastics can directly or indirectly affect the diversity of eukaryotic communities. Overall, this work underscores the complex interplay between microplastics, DOM, and eukaryotic organisms, providing crucial insight into the ecological impacts of anthropogenic pollutants on inland water ecosystems.