We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Biogeographic biases in microplastic ingestion research mask biodiversity and consumption risks across benthic invertebrates
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers harmonized global field data from 295 sampling sites to assess microplastic ingestion across benthic invertebrates, revealing profound geographic and taxonomic biases in existing research. The analysis showed that consumption risk is likely underestimated for species outside heavily studied regions, particularly in the Global South.
Ingestion of microplastics (MPs) by organisms, including humans, is a global issue with potential risks to individual, population, and ecosystem health. Yet significant gaps remain in understanding the global extent of this issue. By harmonizing field observations from 295 sampling sites through a comprehensive framework, we reveal profound research biases in microplastic (MP) burdens across benthic invertebrates, with efforts concentrated on arthropods and molluscs, as well as in the Northern Hemisphere and marine ecosystems. Among the 263 taxa exhibiting MP ingestion, the average burden was 3.44 items/ind and 20.28 items/g, with Europe and coasts having the highest taxa richness, and only 28 highly commercialized species were frequently sampled. Feeding mode and body size, along with organism sample size and MP filter size, significantly influenced MP burden after controlling for methodological differences and phylogenetic constraints, and the two traits exhibited partially distinct patterns across the two units. Chao2 estimation suggests that 54 % of the MP-ingesting taxa would remain undetected even with doubled sampling efforts, with similar patterns emerging across continental and aquatic environment scales. These findings suggest that current efforts to understand microplastic biological ingestion and transportation are insufficient to assess the planetary-scale risks posed by this issue.
More Papers Like This
Microplastic burden in marine benthic invertebrates depends on species traits and feeding ecology within biogeographical provinces
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers analyzed microplastic levels in the bodies of marine bottom-dwelling invertebrates across different ocean regions and found that the amount of microplastic ingested depended more on the animals' feeding strategies and body traits than on local pollution levels alone. Filter-feeding and deposit-feeding species accumulated the most particles. The study suggests that simply measuring environmental microplastic concentrations may not accurately predict how much wildlife in an area is actually ingesting.
Global distribution characteristics and ecological risk assessment of microplastics in aquatic organisms based on meta-analysis
AI summary Read the abstract
This meta-analysis assessed the global distribution of microplastics in aquatic organisms across multiple trophic levels, finding that biological characteristics like body size and feeding strategy significantly influence microplastic ingestion rates. The study provides a framework for ecological risk assessment and proposes strategies to reduce microplastic input into water bodies.
A comprehensive global inventory of microplastic body burden in sediment-dwelling marine invertebrates
AI summary Read the abstract
This dataset compiles 412 records of microplastic body burden in marine benthic invertebrates from published literature between 2000 and 2020, covering a wide range of species and locations. The comprehensive inventory enables global assessments of how much microplastic marine bottom-dwelling animals accumulate, which is relevant to food safety for seafood consumers.
Sediment matters as a route of microplastic exposure: A call for more research on the benthic compartment
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers conducted a systematic review highlighting that most microplastic studies focus on pelagic species in water-only exposures, despite evidence that sediment acts as a major sink for marine microplastics. The study calls for more research on sediment as an important exposure pathway for benthic invertebrates, recommending ecologically relevant concentrations and durations in future experiments.
Zooplankton exposure to microplastics at the global scale: Influence of vertical distribution and seasonality
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers compiled a global dataset of variables used to model zooplankton exposure to microplastics, incorporating vertical distribution and seasonality factors to better characterize how different zooplankton depth preferences and seasonal migration patterns influence the degree of microplastic contact across ocean regions.
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.