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Distribution and diversity of diatoms with relation to the type of microplastics in sonmiani bay waters, Pakistan
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Researchers examined diatom species diversity in Sonmiani Bay, Pakistan in relation to microplastic type and concentration, investigating how microplastic contamination affects the distribution and abundance of these unicellular photoautotrophic microalgae in coastal waters.
Diatoms are unicellular or colonial photoautotrophic microalgae with a worldwide distribution range and most often observed as single cells, they can also form colonies, exist in suspension in the water column, or adhere to substrata.Diatoms comprise a large proportion of the phytoplankton in maritime and coastal waters.The purpose of this study was to examine the variety of diatom species found in Sonmiani waters, as well as the relationship and effects of microplastic concentration on these species.
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Species diversity and community structure of microalgae living on microplastics in Luoyuan Bay, China
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Researchers analyzed the species diversity and community structure of microalgae colonizing microplastics (epimicroplastic microalgae) versus planktonic microalgae communities in Luoyuan Bay, China. They found that microplastic-colonizing communities had higher species richness (73 vs. 56 species) but significantly lower evenness and diversity indices, with diatoms dominant in both communities but with distinct species compositions.
Microplastic pollution in aquatic ecosystems: impacts on diatom communities
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This review examines how microplastic pollution in aquatic ecosystems affects diatom communities, which are microscopic algae forming the base of many aquatic food webs. Researchers found that microplastics can alter diatom growth, community composition, and photosynthetic activity, while diatoms in turn colonize microplastic surfaces forming biofilms. The study highlights the complex interactions between microplastics and these ecologically important organisms, suggesting potential cascading effects through aquatic food chains.
Impact of polystyrene microbeads on the biomass, biochemical constituents, and pigment levels of marine diatoms
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Exposure to polystyrene microbeads caused significant declines in biomass, pigments, protein, and carbohydrates in two marine diatom species over 30 days, while also triggering surface changes in the plastic suggesting early-stage biodegradation by the diatoms. Because diatoms form the base of marine food webs and drive ocean carbon fixation, microplastic-induced suppression of their growth has cascading implications for ocean ecosystem productivity.
Preliminary Study on Abundance of Microplastic in Sediments and Water Samples Along the Coast of Pakistan (Sindh and Balochistan)-Northern Arabian Sea
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Researchers found high levels of microplastic contamination along 25 locations on Pakistan's Arabian Sea coastline, with mean concentrations of 582 particles/L in seawater and 987 particles/kg in sediment, and fibers comprising up to 99% of all detected microplastics.
Microplastics drive community dynamics of periphytic protozoan fauna in marine environments
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Researchers exposed marine protozoan communities to varying concentrations of microplastics and tracked how the communities changed over time. They found that higher microplastic concentrations reduced species diversity and shifted community composition toward more pollution-tolerant species. The study demonstrates that microplastic pollution can reshape the structure of microscopic marine communities, with potential cascading effects up the food web.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.