We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Increasing microplastic exposure had minimal effects on fatty acid composition in zooplankton and yellow perch in a large, in-lake mesocosm experiment
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that increasing microplastic exposure levels had minimal effects on fatty acid composition in an aquatic organism, suggesting that at the tested concentrations, microplastics do not substantially disrupt lipid metabolism.
Using 10 m diameter mesocosms in a Canadian boreal lake, we investigated the effects of microplastic (MP) exposure on the body weight and diet of yellow perch ( Perca flavescens) and the fatty acid composition of yellow perch and zooplankton. We exposed the aquatic ecosystem within seven mesocosms for 10 weeks to a mixture of polyethylene, polystyrene, and polyethylene terephthalate fragments, ranging in nominal addition concentrations from 6 to 29 240 particles L −1 (although realized water column concentrations were lower), as well as two negative controls. Increasing MP exposure did not affect yellow perch body weight (growth) or diet, or the overall fatty acid composition of yellow perch muscle or zooplankton. Results were highly variable across mesocosms. Despite high levels of MP ingestion by yellow perch, we did not find evidence of MPs leading to food dilution or any other effect where we could anticipate impacts on food web structure.
More Papers Like This
What do microplastics mean for aquatic food webs? Some insight from ongoing experimental work in a freshwater ecosystem laboratory.
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers used large in-lake mesocosm experiments to investigate whether microplastic exposure altered essential fatty acid composition in yellow perch and zooplankton in a freshwater food web. Fatty acid composition was unaffected when supplemental food was provided, but preliminary results suggested lower fish body weight at high MP concentrations (29,240 particles/L) without supplemental feeding, indicating food dilution as a potential mechanism of MP impact.
Polystyrene microplastics exposure modulated the content and the profile of fatty acids in the Cladoceran Daphnia magna
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed Daphnia magna to polystyrene microplastics for 21 days and found that fatty acid content and composition were significantly altered. The changes suggest microplastics interfere with energy allocation in this freshwater crustacean, with effects varying by particle size and concentration.
The impact of microplastics on lake communities: A mesocosm study
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers conducted a mesocosm experiment to assess how microplastic contamination affects lake communities, including zooplankton, macroinvertebrates, and fish. They found that microplastic exposure caused varying effects across organism groups, with some community-level changes observed over the study period. The study highlights that microplastic pollution can alter freshwater ecosystem dynamics beyond what has been documented in single-species laboratory studies.
Microplastics at Environmentally Relevant Concentrations Had Minimal Impacts on Pelagic Zooplankton Communities in a Large In-Lake Mesocosm Experiment
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers conducted a large-scale 10-week mesocosm experiment in a Canadian boreal lake to assess microplastic impacts on zooplankton at environmentally relevant concentrations. They found that zooplankton ingested low levels of microplastics and their overall abundance and community composition were not negatively impacted. However, temporary effects were observed, including stimulation of some species and short-term reductions in egg production, suggesting microplastics may have complex but limited effects at current environmental levels.
No Effect of Realistic Concentrations of Polyester Microplastic Fibers on Freshwater Zooplankton Communities
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers tested whether realistic concentrations of polyester microplastic fibers affect freshwater zooplankton communities in experimental settings. The study found no significant effects on zooplankton abundance, diversity, or community structure at environmentally relevant concentrations, suggesting that current levels of fiber pollution may not substantially impact these organisms.
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.