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Microplastic accumulation and biomagnification in a coastal marine reserve situated in a sparsely populated area
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Microplastics were quantified across a benthic food web at a remote California marine reserve, finding concentrations of 36.59 plastics/L in seawater, and with densities increasing from macroalgae to herbivorous snails to predatory invertebrates, suggesting biomagnification potential in coastal food webs. The study provides rare evidence of microplastic concentration increases across trophic levels in a near-pristine coastal ecosystem.
Toxic chemicals within and adsorbed to microplastics (0.05-5 mm) have the potential to biomagnify in food webs. However, microplastic concentrations in highly productive, coastal habitats are not well understood. Therefore, we quantified the presence of microplastics in a benthic community and surrounding environment of a remote marine reserve on the open coast of California, USA. Concentrations of microplastic particles in seawater were 36.59 plastics/L and in sediments were 0.227 ± 0.135 plastics/g. Densities of microplastics on the surfaces of two morphologically distinct species of macroalgae were 2.34 ± 2.19 plastics/g (Pelvetiopsis limitata) and 8.65 ± 6.44 plastics/g (Endocladia muricata). Densities were highest in the herbivorous snail, Tegula funebralis, at 9.91 ± 6.31 plastics/g, potentially due to bioaccumulation. This study highlights the need for further investigations of the prevalence and potential harm of microplastics in benthic communities at remote locations as well as human population centers.
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Assessment of microplastic bioconcentration, bioaccumulation and biomagnification in a simple coral reef food web
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Researchers assessed microplastic bioconcentration, bioaccumulation, and biomagnification across three trophic levels in a coral reef food web, including zooplankton, benthic crustaceans, and reef fish. The study suggests that microplastics accumulate differently depending on species and trophic position, providing important baseline data for understanding ecological risks of microplastic contamination in coral reef ecosystems.
Large size (>100‐μm) microplastics are not biomagnifying in coastal marine food webs of British Columbia, Canada
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Researchers quantified microplastic uptake across multiple trophic levels in a coastal British Columbia food web including bivalves, crabs, echinoderms, and fish, finding no evidence of biomagnification for particles larger than 100 micrometers. Suspension feeders and small planktivorous fish had the highest ingestion rates, and rapid excretion appeared to prevent accumulation in higher predators.
Microplastic accumulation in marine organisms across trophic levels along the west coast of India
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This study compared microplastic accumulation across trophic levels — including invertebrates, small fish, and large fish — at two locations along the west coast of a marine region. MP abundance decreased with increasing trophic level, suggesting dilution rather than biomagnification, but species at higher trophic positions still carried measurable contamination.
Little evidence for bioaccumulation or biomagnification of microplastics in a deep-sea food web
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Researchers examined microplastic contamination in both gastrointestinal tracts and non-GI tissues of six marine species across multiple trophic levels sampled in a deep-sea food web in Monterey Bay, California, including tuna crab, market squid, northern lampfish, chub mackerel, California halibut, and Chinook salmon. After chemical digestion, they found little evidence for bioaccumulation or biomagnification of microplastics in tissues outside the gastrointestinal tract.
Bioaccumulation, biomagnification and ecological risk evaluation of microplastics in Sanggou Bay, China
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Researchers studied microplastic contamination in marine organisms across Sanggou Bay, China, and found plastic particles in every species examined, with concentrations varying by organism. They discovered evidence of biomagnification, meaning microplastics accumulated to higher concentrations up the food chain, with smaller particles, fibers, and polystyrene showing the strongest transfer between species. The study provides new evidence that the physical characteristics of microplastics influence how they move through marine food webs.
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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.