We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Plastics underground: microplastic pollution in South African freshwater caves and associated biota
AI summary Read the abstract
Scientists discovered microplastic contamination in underground freshwater caves in South Africa, including in cave water, sediment, and small crustaceans living there. This finding is notable because it shows microplastics have reached even remote, subterranean environments, and cave-dwelling animals are ingesting them.
Abstract Microplastics (MPs) have been characterised in South African rivers, lakes, and the marine environment, yet we know less about MPs in subterranean environments. In this study, we assessed MP pollution in the sediment, subsurface water, and resident freshwater amphipod, Sternophysinx species across six South African subterranean cave systems. We hypothesised that MP pollution will increase with human visitations and activities in and around selected subterranean caves. We found MPs in sediments, subsurface waters, and amphipod species ranging from 4.9 ± 1.2 to 25.0 ± 6.9 particles/kg –1 , 2.7 ± 0.7 to 15.0 ± 1.7 particles/L –1 and 2.1 ± 0 to 9.8 ± 3.1 particles/dry mass, respectively, with polypropylene being the most abundant polymer according to FTIR analysis. White fibres were dominant in sediments and water samples, whereas blue fibres were dominant in amphipods. Our results supported the hypothesis that MPs densities were correlated with human visitation and activities in and around the caves. The presence of MPs in subterranean caves presents a biodiversity and conservation threat to endemic and understudied cave-dwelling aquatic invertebrates, due to MPs ability to be transferable between trophic levels causing physiological constraints.
More Papers Like This
Microplastic pollution calls for urgent investigations in stygobiont habitats: A case study from Classical karst
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers examined microplastic pollution in karst cave systems in the Classical Karst region, finding that these underground habitats harbor significant contamination. The study suggests that vulnerable cave-dwelling species may be consuming microplastics, which could undermine conservation efforts for protected groundwater ecosystems and the species that depend on them.
Explorations in the dark continent: Did microplastics and microfibres get here before us?
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers investigated previously unexplored caves to determine whether microplastic pollution has reached underground environments that humans have never entered. They found microplastics and microfibers present even in these pristine subterranean habitats, carried in by water flow and air currents. The findings demonstrate that microplastic contamination extends to some of Earth's most remote and isolated environments.
(Micro-)Plastics in Saturated and Unsaturated Groundwater Bodies: First Evidence of Presence in Groundwater Fauna and Habitats
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers investigated microplastic contamination in three Italian groundwater systems, including karst caves and an alluvial aquifer, providing early evidence that microplastics are present in underground water habitats. The study also found that groundwater-dwelling invertebrates had ingested microplastic particles, raising concerns about pollution impacts on these fragile and largely unstudied ecosystems.
Microplastics in Pristine Caves of the Classic Karst (NE Italy): A First Assessment of Contamination Levels
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers conducted the first assessment of microplastic contamination in pristine, remote cave systems in the Classic Karst region of northeastern Italy. The study found microplastics present even in extremely isolated underground environments hydraulically connected to the Reka/Timavo River, demonstrating the pervasive reach of microplastic pollution into previously uncontaminated ecosystems.
Quantifying anthropogenic microparticle contamination in cave sediments: spatial heterogeneity matters
AI summary Read the abstract
Microplastics and other anthropogenic particles were quantified in cave sediments, providing a record of atmospheric and terrestrial contamination reaching underground environments. The presence of microplastics in caves demonstrates the pervasive spread of plastic pollution into even secluded geological environments.
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.