We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Effects of Microplastics Exposure on the Feeding of the Heterotrophic Dinoflagellate Species Noctiluca scintillans
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers discovered that the red-tide-forming dinoflagellate Noctiluca scintillans feeds non-selectively on microplastics alongside algal prey, with ingestion rates cut nearly in half when microplastics were present, suggesting that plastic pollution disrupts feeding behavior in a key marine microorganism.
The pollution effects of microplastics (MPs) on the feeding of the heterotrophic dinoflagellate species, Noctiluca scintillans, was investigated. The algal prey species, Dunaliella tertiolecta, was fed to N. scintillans and fluorescent microspheres were used as surrogates for microplastic wastes. Holling's type II functional response model revealed that N. scintillans could reach a maximum prey ingestion rate of 2,242 cells grazer−1 d−1 (~ 214 ngC grazer−1 d−1) under normal conditions. In exposure to a mixture of prey and MPs, N. scintillans showed mean prey ingestion rates of 1,078 and 820 cells grazer−1 d−1 at Prey:MP ratios of 500:1 (i.e., ~ 88 MP particles mL−1) and 5000:1 (i.e., ~ 8 MP particles mL−1), respectively. The number of N. scintillans cells with ingested MP particles increased with decreasing Prey:MP ratios (200:1, 50:1, 10:1, and 1:1), indicating the non-selective feeding between the algal prey and MP particles. This study is the first one to investigate the effects of microplastic pollution on this common red-tide-causing dinoflagellate species. We urge that more research is needed to reveal the ecological implications of microplastic pollution in the marine ecosystems.
More Papers Like This
Physiological, morphological, and growth effects of microplastics on freshwater alga Chlorella vulgaris
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers showed that microplastics inhibit growth, reduce chlorophyll and photosynthetic efficiency, and trigger oxidative stress in the freshwater alga Chlorella vulgaris in a concentration-dependent manner, suggesting the species could serve as a bioindicator for aquatic microplastic contamination.
Ecotoxicological Effects of Microplastics in Marine Zooplankton
AI summary Read the abstract
Marine zooplankton ingest microplastics, mistaking them for food, which reduces feeding, impairs reproduction, and can transfer particles up the food chain. Because zooplankton form the base of marine food webs, their ecotoxicological responses to microplastics have cascading consequences for ocean ecosystems and human seafood consumers.
Nanoscale Insights into the Impacts of Microplastics on Marine Phytoplankton
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers used atomic force microscopy, physiological measurements, and chemical analysis to reveal how microplastics damage marine phytoplankton at the nanoscale — denting smooth-walled algae, trapping within diatom frustules, and reducing mechanical strength — with silicon limitation amplifying vulnerability by producing weaker, more adhesive cell walls that adsorb more particles.
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.