We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Size dependent uptake and trophic transfer of polystyrene microplastics in unicellular freshwater eukaryotes
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers investigated the size-dependent uptake and trophic transfer of fluorescent polystyrene microplastic beads and fragments (0.5 µm and 6 µm) in unicellular freshwater eukaryotes representing lower trophic levels. The study aimed to fill a gap in understanding how microplastics move through the base of freshwater food webs via protozoan and algal intermediaries.
Microplastics (MP) have become a well-known and widely investigated environmental pollutant. Despite the huge amount of new studies investigating the potential threat posed by MP, the possible uptake and trophic transfer in lower trophic levels of freshwater ecosystems remains understudied. This study aims to investigate the internalization and potential trophic transfer of fluorescent polystyrene (PS) beads (0.5 μm, 3.6 × 108 particles/mL; 6 μm, 2.1 × 105 particles/mL) and fragments ( Also see: https://micro2024.sciencesconf.org/559330/document
More Papers Like This
Size dependent uptake and trophic transfer of polystyrene microplastics in unicellular freshwater eukaryotes
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers investigated the size-dependent uptake and trophic transfer of fluorescent polystyrene microplastic beads (0.5 µm and 6 µm) and fragments in unicellular freshwater eukaryotes, examining internalization dynamics at lower trophic levels where microplastic transfer is poorly understood.
Size dependent uptake and trophic transfer of polystyrene microplastics in unicellular freshwater eukaryotes
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers demonstrated that single-celled freshwater organisms can take in polystyrene microplastics and pass them up the food chain through predator-prey interactions. The size of the microplastic determined which organisms could ingest it, and some particles remained inside cells for up to 14 days. This is important because it shows microplastics enter the food web at the very lowest level, meaning contamination can accumulate through every step up to fish and eventually to humans.
Uptake, removal and trophic transfer of fluorescent polyethylene microplastics by freshwater model organisms: the impact of particle size and food availability
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers used fluorescent polyethylene microplastics of different sizes to track how they move through a freshwater food chain from algae to water fleas to zebrafish. They found that smaller particles were ingested and transferred more readily between organisms, and that food availability influenced how many microplastics accumulated. The study demonstrates that microplastics can move up the food chain and that particle size plays a key role in how they are transported through aquatic ecosystems.
Accumulation kinetics of polystyrene nano- and microplastics in the waterflea Daphnia magna and trophic transfer to the mysid Limnomysis benedeni
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers investigated the accumulation kinetics of polystyrene particles ranging from 26 nm to 4800 nm in Daphnia magna and their subsequent transfer to the mysid Limnomysis benedeni. Smaller particles accumulated more efficiently in Daphnia, and trophic transfer to mysids was demonstrated, confirming that nano- and microplastics move through aquatic food chains with size-dependent efficiency.
Uptake and Transfer of Polyamide Microplastics in a Freshwater Mesocosm Study
AI summary Read the abstract
A freshwater mesocosm study tracked the trophic and ontogenetic transfer of polyamide microplastics through an aquatic food web under near-natural conditions, confirming that particles were transferred between prey and predators at multiple levels. The results demonstrate that microplastic transfer through food webs occurs in realistic community settings, not just isolated laboratory tests.
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.