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Vertical Distribution of Microplastics in a Deep European Lake During Thermal Stratification
Summary
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.
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 upon fragments having an average abundance of 10.63 ± 1.00 items/m3 and 3.10 ± 0.52 items/m3 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 highest abundance within the thermocline, and most of them were blue having length 12 mm. There were only abundance differences between the two nets and no qualitative disparities concerning color, size, shape and polymer types. There was strong positive correlation between the abundance of fibers and the adults of the dominant copepod Eudiaptomus drieschi, which accumulated also 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 fibers’ bioaccumulation on the food web. The study highlights the importance of investigating MPs in connection with biotic elements.