We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Microplastic ingestion affects hydrogen production and microbiomes in the gut of the terrestrial isopod Porcellio scaber
AI summary Read the abstract
This study examined how different types of microplastics affect woodlice (Porcellio scaber), common soil-dwelling creatures, and their gut bacteria. Researchers found that biodegradable plastic (PLA) and conventional plastics (PET, polystyrene) had different effects on the animals' gut microbiome and hydrogen production. The results suggest that microplastic pollution could disrupt the digestive processes and microbial communities of important soil organisms.
Microplastic (MP) is an environmental burden and enters food webs via ingestion by macrofauna, including isopods (Porcellio scaber) in terrestrial ecosystems. Isopods represent ubiquitously abundant, ecologically important detritivores. However, MP-polymer specific effects on the host and its gut microbiota are unknown. We tested the hypothesis that biodegradable (polylactic acid [PLA]) and non-biodegradable (polyethylene terephthalate [PET]; polystyrene [PS]) MPs have contrasting effects on P. scaber mediated by changes of the gut microbiota. The isopod fitness after an 8-week MP-exposure was generally unaffected, although the isopods showed avoidance behaviour to PS-food. MP-polymer specific effects on gut microbes were detected, including a stimulation of microbial activity by PLA compared with MP-free controls. PLA stimulated hydrogen emission from isopod guts, while PET and PS were inhibitory. We roughly estimated 107 kg year-1 hydrogen emitted from the isopods globally and identified their guts as anoxic, significant mobile sources of reductant for soil microbes despite the absence of classical obligate anaerobes, likely due to Enterobacteriaceae-related fermentation activities that were stimulated by lactate generated during PLA-degradation. The findings suggest negative effects of PET and PS on gut fermentation, modulation of important isopod hydrogen emissions by MP pollution and the potential of MP to affect terrestrial food webs.
More Papers Like This
Effects of microplastic ingestion on hydrogen production and microbiomes in the gut of the terrestrial isopod Porcellio scaber
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed terrestrial isopods (Porcellio scaber) to biodegradable (PLA) and non-biodegradable (PET, PS) microplastics for eight weeks, finding that despite isopods avoiding PS-containing food, fitness was unaffected while gut microbiome analyses revealed MP-type-specific microbial indicator taxa and stimulatory effects of PLA on hydrogen production.
Response of terrestrial crustacean Porcellio scaber and mealworm Tenebrio molitor to non-degradable and biodegradable fossil-based mulching film microplastics
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers tested how two soil organisms, woodlice and mealworms, responded to microplastics from both conventional polyethylene and biodegradable mulching films used in farming. Both types of microplastics affected the organisms' gut bacteria and caused stress, though the effects varied by plastic type. The study challenges the assumption that biodegradable farm films are completely safe, since their microplastic fragments can still harm soil organisms important for healthy agricultural ecosystems.
Influence of microplastics on feeding and energy reserves of terrestrial isopods Porcellio scaber
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed land-dwelling pill bugs to food contaminated with microplastics at concentrations found in compost heaps, and measured effects on feeding behavior and energy reserves in the digestive gland. The study investigated whether environmentally realistic microplastic levels in soil affect terrestrial invertebrates, which are important links in soil food webs.
Characterizing Fragmentation of Polystyrene Foam Debris by Isopods Oniscus asellus (Isopoda: Oniscidae) and Trachelipus rathkii (Isopoda: Trachelipodidae)
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that two species of terrestrial isopods (woodlice) physically fragment polystyrene foam into microplastic particles by chewing on it, with one species producing significantly more fragments than the other. The findings identify soil invertebrates as an underappreciated pathway for microplastic generation from plastic debris in terrestrial environments.
The effects of high-density polyethylene and polypropylene microplastics on the soil and earthworm Metaphire guillelmi gut microbiota
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed earthworms to soil amended with high-density polyethylene and polypropylene microplastics for 28 days and examined changes in both the earthworm gut and soil microbial communities. They found that both types of microplastics significantly altered the composition and diversity of gut bacteria in the earthworms. The study suggests that microplastic contamination in soil can disrupt the gut microbiota of soil organisms, with potential consequences for soil ecosystem health.
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.