We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Vertical Distribution of Microplastics in a Deep European Lake During Thermal Stratification
AI summary Read the abstract
Scientists studying a deep Greek lake found that tiny plastic fibers collect in a specific water layer (called the thermocline) — and so do the small water bugs that fish love to eat. This overlap means plastic fibers could be getting eaten by these bugs and then passed up the food chain to fish that people catch and eat, raising questions about how much plastic might end up on our plates.
Little is known about the vertical distribution of microplastics (MPs) in deep stratified lakes. This study investigates the MPs in the large and deep Lake Trichonis during the thermal stratification period, using two nets of different porosity (50 μm and 200 μm) in three depth strata. Fibers dominated over fragments with an average abundance of 10.63 ± 1.00 items m−3 and 3.10 ± 0.52 items m−3 respectively in the samples of the 50 μm net in the entire water column, while the respective values for the 200 μm net were 1.4 and 7.4 times greater. Fibers had the highest abundance within the thermocline, and most of them were blue with a length 1–2 mm. There were only abundance differences between the two nets and no qualitative disparities concerning color, size, shape and polymer types. There was a strong positive correlation between the abundance of fibers and the adults of the dominant copepod Eudiaptomus drieschi, which also accumulated within the thermocline. Considering that the adults of E. drieschi are among the preferred prey of Atherina boyeri, the most important commercial fish, certain issues arise concerning possible fiber bioaccumulation on the food web. The study highlights the importance of investigating MPs in connection with biotic elements.
More Papers Like This
Laboratory and numerical investigation of the factors controlling the residence time of microplastics in the water column of thermally stratified lakes
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers used laboratory experiments and numerical modeling to investigate how thermal stratification in lakes affects the residence time of microplastics in the water column, finding that stratification traps particles in specific depth layers. Thermally stratified summer conditions increase the likelihood that microplastics will be encountered and ingested by filter-feeding organisms at particular depths.
Ubiquitous vertical distribution of microfibers within the upper epipelagic layer of the western Mediterranean Sea
AI summary Read the abstract
Scientists found tiny plastic fibers scattered throughout the upper 50 meters of seawater in the western Mediterranean, not just floating on the surface, as most previous research has focused on. These microfibers, mostly smaller than 2mm and made from common plastics like polyethylene and polypropylene, were present at similar levels whether the water was in a protected marine area or not. Since this is the same water zone where fish and other marine life feed and grow, these findings suggest sea creatures throughout the water column, not just at the surface, may be exposed to plastic particles that could eventually make their way up the food chain to humans.
Vertical Distribution of Microplastics in a Deep European Lake During Thermal Stratification
AI summary Read the abstract
Scientists studying a deep lake in Greece found that tiny plastic fibers collect in a specific layer of water (called the thermocline) that forms during warm months—and this is also where a key food-chain organism, a tiny water creature called a copepod, likes to gather. Since this copepod is a favorite food of a popular commercial fish, the overlap raises concerns that plastic fibers could be working their way up the food chain toward the fish we eat. More research is needed to confirm how much of this plastic actually ends up in fish and, eventually, on our plates.
Microplastics distribution and possible ingestion by fish in lacustrine waters (Lake Bracciano, Italy)
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers assessed microplastic distribution in surface water and the water column of Lake Bracciano, Italy, and examined ingestion by two fish species with different habitat preferences. Microplastics were found in Coregonus lavaretus at a contamination frequency of 5%, with polyethylene dominating both water and fish polymer profiles, confirming microplastic exposure for fish in this volcanic lake.
Microplastics in the water column and stomach contents of European perch (Perca fluviatilis) in a temperate lowland dam reservoir: a case study from the lower Vistula River
AI summary Read the abstract
Scientists found tiny plastic fibers, mostly red ones, in the stomachs of young perch caught in a Polish river reservoir, along with high levels of microplastics in the surrounding water. This matters because these fish are part of the food chain, and the plastics they eat could potentially work their way up to the fish (and seafood) that end up on our plates, though more research is needed to understand exactly how and why fish pick up certain plastic particles over others.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.