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The influence of microplastics pollution on the feeding behavior of a prominent sandy beach amphipod, Orchestoidea tuberculata (Nicolet, 1849)
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Microplastic pollution was found to reduce feeding activity and slow growth in a beach amphipod (small crustacean), even at environmentally relevant concentrations. This suggests microplastics can disrupt energy balance and population health in small invertebrates that play important roles in sandy beach ecosystems.
Pollution by microplastics has become a global threat affecting coastal habitats such as sandy beaches and their resident macrofauna. The goal of this study was to assess the influence of microplastics on the feeding behavior and growth rate of a widespread sandy beach amphipod, Orchestoidea tuberculata. These organisms were exposed to artificial food prepared with Poly(styrene-co-divinylbenzene) microspheres (8 μm particle size) at 3 different concentrations (0%, 5% and 10%). The amphipods consumed significantly more food when the concentration of microplastics was 0% and significantly less when the concentration was 10%, both in trials in which they had a choice (preference experiments) and those in which they did not have a food choice. In contrast to this, the amphipod's absorption efficiency and estimated growth rates were not significantly affected by the concentration of microplastics. Combined, these results indicate that high microplastics concentrations (e.g. 10%) cause a reduction in the amphipod's consumption rates and, indirectly, may affect the role of this species as a main consumer of stranded seaweeds in sandy beaches ecosystems.
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Researchers found high levels of microplastic ingestion in coastal amphipods from Japan, with up to 76 particles per individual and 83% of particles smaller than 90 µm, predominantly polyethylene, raising concerns about microplastic transfer through coastal food webs.
The silent harm of polyethylene microplastics: Invertebrates growth inhibition as a warning of the microplastic pollution in continental waters
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Scientists found that tiny plastic particles (microplastics) in water can stunt the growth of small aquatic creatures like water fleas and midge larvae, which are important parts of freshwater ecosystems and the food chain. While this study didn't test effects on humans directly, it's a warning sign: if microplastic pollution can quietly harm the tiny organisms at the base of our waterways, it raises questions about the broader ripple effects on ecosystems, and ultimately the water and food supplies humans depend on.
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Exposing freshwater amphipods to polyethylene microplastics caused significant mortality, reduced growth, and disrupted swimming behavior and mating, with males more vulnerable to death and females more affected in growth rate. These crustaceans are a key link in freshwater food webs, meaning microplastic-driven population declines could cascade through entire aquatic ecosystems.
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