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Synthetic and natural microfibers induce gut damage in the brine shrimp Artemia franciscana
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Researchers exposed brine shrimp to polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, and natural lyocell microfibers and assessed mortality and gut damage. The study found that all three fiber types caused gut damage regardless of polymer origin, with polyethylene terephthalate fibers inducing the highest mortality, suggesting that the physical shape of microfibers may be as important as their chemical composition in causing harm to aquatic organisms.
The increasing amount of microplastics in aquatic ecosystems is a significant environmental issue, with adverse effects on marine organisms including invertebrates and vertebrates. This study examined the effects of three types of microfibers on the brine shrimp Artemia franciscana as the test species. The brine shrimps were exposed to two commonly found synthetic microfibers (polypropylene and polyethylene terephthalate) and one natural fiber (lyocell). The results suggest that the polyethylene terephthalate microfibers induced high mortality in A. franciscana, while the lyocell caused the least detrimental effects. Gut damage of microfiber-exposed A. franciscana was observed using the dye leakage in the gut layer, and the results show that gut damage occurred in all exposure groups of synthetic and natural microfibers. Overall, our findings indicate that gut damage induced by all three microfibers eventually led to adverse effects and mortality of A. franciscana, highlighting the harmful effects of microfibers, regardless of polymer type.
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Effects of synthetic and natural microfibers on Daphnia magna–Are they dependent on microfiber type?
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Researchers compared the effects of synthetic microfibers (polyester and polypropylene) and natural microfibers (lyocell) on the water flea Daphnia magna. The study found that even natural microfibers caused significant harm, including reduced gut microvilli length, impaired nutrient absorption, growth inhibition, and mortality, confirming that microfiber toxicity is not limited to synthetic materials.
Size- and shape-dependent effects of polyethylene terephthalate microplastics on the benthic crustacean Artemia franciscana
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Researchers tested how different sizes and shapes of PET microplastics affect juvenile brine shrimp in a sand-layered system simulating the ocean floor. Small fragments that could be ingested caused gut damage and impaired movement, while larger fragments and fibers triggered cell death through physical stress. The findings indicate that the shape and size of microplastics are major factors in determining their harmful effects on bottom-dwelling marine organisms.
Chronic effects of irregular and fibril microplastics on Artemia franciscana in a benthic environment: Size and shape-dependent toxicity
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Researchers studied how irregular and fibril-shaped microplastics of various sizes affect brine shrimp in a simulated seafloor environment over an extended period. They found that the smallest irregular particles and longer fibers caused the most significant reproductive and growth effects. The study demonstrates that both the size and shape of microplastics matter when assessing their impact on bottom-dwelling marine organisms.
Natural and synthetic microfibers alter growth and behavior in early life stages of estuarine organisms
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Researchers exposed early life stages of estuarine fish and invertebrates to natural cotton and synthetic polyester and polypropylene microfibers commonly found in coastal waters. Both natural and synthetic fibers affected growth and behavior, though synthetic fibers tended to cause more pronounced effects. The study suggests that microfiber pollution in coastal environments poses risks to young marine organisms during their most vulnerable developmental stages.
Multi-level approach to investigate sublethal effects caused by synthetic and natural microfibers on Daphnia magna
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Researchers exposed freshwater organisms including amphipods and oligochaetes to synthetic and natural microfibers at multiple levels of biological organization, finding that both fiber types caused sublethal physiological and behavioral effects, with synthetic fibers generally producing greater harm.
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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.