Uptake and effects of different concentrations of spherical polymer microparticles on Artemia franciscana

Artemia cysts have a huge economic importance for the aquaculture sector due to the fact that they are used as live feed for larviculture. Microplastics (MPs) are common and emergent pollutants in the aquatic environments, with unknown and potential long-term effects on planktonic species such as Artemia spp. When used as live feed, Artemia could transfer contaminants to fish along the food chain, with possible adverse effects on human health through their consumption. This study aims to assess the uptake of different concentrations of spherical polymer microparticles (FRM) (1-5 μm diameter) and their associated chronic effects on feeding, growth, mortality, and reproductive success from juvenile to adult stage of brine shrimp Artemia franciscana. Individuals were exposed for 44 days to 0.4, 0.8 and 1.6 mg.L of FRM. No significant detrimental effects on growth, ingestion and mortality rates of A. franciscana were observed in all tested conditions. However, reproductive success was strongly affected by the increase of MP concentrations. The results of the present study showed that A. franciscana juveniles and adults were able to survive different experimental MP concentrations, but their reproductive success and progeny were significantly impacted by exposure to FRM particles.