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Accumulation and re-distribution of microplastics via aquatic plants and macroalgae - A review of field studies
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This review summarizes field studies on microplastic accumulation in aquatic plants and macroalgae, finding that these primary producers can intercept and redistribute microplastics in aquatic ecosystems but have received far less research attention than animals.
The aquatic plants and macroalgae are primary producers with major roles regarding the maintenance of ecosystems but their interaction with microplastics (MPs) has received less attention than animals. We summarize the methodologies used, the MPs abundances and their characteristics across the literature on MPs pollution in aquatic plants and macroalgae. The sampling and quantification of MPs still lacks consistency between studies, which increased the uncertainty in cross-comparisons. The abundance of MPs varied by orders of magnitude between species and were mostly fibers and polymers with large degrees of production and applications. Filamentous species contained more MPs than others. The average ratio of MPs between vegetated and unvegetated sites reached 3:1. The average ratio of MPs between the biotic and abiotic fractions reached 2193:1, suggesting a high level of retention in fields. Our findings supported that aquatic plants and macroalgae are critical in the plastic flux within the marine environments.
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Researchers quantified microplastic densities on the surfaces of three marine macrophyte species (two macroalgae and one seagrass) collected in situ, finding measurable contamination on all species. The results suggest that macrophytes may serve as an important but underappreciated pathway for microplastics to enter marine food webs.
Aquatic vascular plants – A forgotten piece of nature in microplastic research
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Aquatic vascular plants accumulate microplastics on their surfaces through electrostatic attraction, leaf morphology, and periphyton, and these retained particles can be easily ingested by herbivores. The authors argue that plants are an overlooked but important pathway by which microplastics enter freshwater food webs, and deserve more research attention.
Microplastics – A major contaminant in marine macro algal population: Review
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This review identified the occurrence and characteristics of microplastics in marine macroalgae, highlighting macroalgae as both indicators of MP pollution and potential entry points for microplastics into marine food webs.
Distribution of Microplastics and Nanoplastics in Aquatic Ecosystems and Their Impacts on Aquatic Organisms, with Emphasis on Microalgae
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This review covers the distribution of microplastics and nanoplastics in aquatic ecosystems and their impacts on aquatic organisms from bacteria to fish, with a focus on effects on microalgae as primary producers. The authors highlight that nanoplastics may be more biologically active than microplastics due to their size and surface reactivity, warranting greater research attention.
Marine macrophytes retain microplastics
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Researchers found that marine macrophytes such as seagrass and algae retain microplastics within their structures and accumulate them in surrounding sediments, acting as an underrecognized biological sink for plastic particles. This study highlights coastal vegetation as both a trapping mechanism and an indicator of local microplastic contamination.
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.