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Effect of environmentally relevant concentrations of potentially toxic microplastic on coastal copepods
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Researchers tested the effects of tire wear particles (TWP) on feeding, reproduction, and fecal pellet production in two common coastal copepod species. They found that at environmentally realistic concentrations, tire wear particles caused no significant adverse effects on these zooplankton. The results suggest that copepods may be less sensitive to TWP than previously feared, though higher concentrations remain a concern.
Tire wear particles (TWP) are both abundant and potentially toxic types of microplastic (MP) in the coastal ocean. We tested the effects of TWP type (new tires, old tires, rubber granules from artificial turfs) and concentration (10–10,000 TWP L−1) on feeding, reproduction and fecal pellet production of two common coastal copepods at high (400 μg C L−1) and low (40 μg C L−1) food concentration consisting of a cryptophyte Rhodomonas sp. We did not observe any effect of TWP on copepods at environmentally relevant concentrations of <10 TWP L−1. At TWP concentrations that were >100 times higher than the MP concentrations measured in coastal waters, food concentration, copepod feeding mode, TWP concentration and TWP type interacted to influence copepod feeding and pellet production, while reproduction was unaffected. Our results suggest that TWP at the current measured concentrations in the ocean environment is not likely to be a threat to the common coastal copepods.
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Effect of environmentally relevant concentrations of potentially toxic microplastic on coastal copepods
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This study tested the effects of tire wear particles (TWP), a type of toxic microplastic, on two coastal copepod species at environmentally realistic concentrations, finding reduced feeding and reproduction rates even at low doses. Tire wear particles are abundant in coastal waters and may be suppressing populations of these zooplankton, which are foundational to marine food webs.
Environmentally relevant concentrations of tyre particles cause toxicity in estuarine invertebrates
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Researchers exposed estuarine organisms to environmentally relevant concentrations of tire particles and measured toxicity endpoints including survival, reproduction, and behavior. Tire particles caused significant adverse effects at concentrations already found in some urban estuaries, suggesting current environmental levels pose ecological risks.
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Researchers tested the toxicity of tire particles at environmentally relevant concentrations on estuarine species, finding that current environmental levels are sufficient to cause harm. The study identified the most sensitive species and life stages and highlighted tire particles as a priority microplastic source for regulatory attention.
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Researchers found that chemicals leaching from tire wear particles are toxic to copepods, tiny crustaceans that are a critical food source for marine life. Young copepods were especially vulnerable, with the chemicals blocking their development at concentrations that could occur in the real world near roads and runoff areas. Since copepods form the base of ocean food chains, this toxicity could ripple upward through the ecosystem and ultimately affect the quality and safety of seafood people eat.
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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.