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Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in market bivalves from South Korea
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Researchers investigated the effects of polystyrene microplastics on the freshwater cladoceran Daphnia magna, a key species in aquatic food webs. They found that microplastic exposure impaired reproduction, reduced growth, and caused oxidative stress even at relatively low concentrations. The study highlights that these tiny plastic particles can harm small freshwater organisms that play a critical role in maintaining healthy aquatic ecosystems.
Microplastic contamination in marine organisms is a growing environmental issue with implications for seafood safety. Among marine organisms, shellfish are considered to be an important route of human exposure to microplastics because they filter a large volume of seawater while feeding and, thus, accumulate microplastics from seawater; furthermore, they are consumed whole, without gut removal. In this study, a market survey was carried out to understand microplastic contamination in domestic bivalves sold in fishery markets in three major cities of South Korea. Four popular bivalve species, oyster (Crassostrea gigas), mussel (Mytilus edulis), Manila clam (Tapes philippinarum) and scallop (Patinopecten yessoensis), were selected as monitoring species, which together account for 79-84% of total shellfish consumption in Korea. The mean concentration of microplastics in these four species was 0.15 ± 0.20 n/g and 0.97 ± 0.74 n/individual. Fragments and particles smaller than 300 μm were dominant shape and size, accounting for 76% and 65% of total microplastics, respectively. Polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), and polyester were the major polymer types. Interestingly, differing polymer compositions were observed according to the culture methods and habitat characteristics of each species. PS was found in high proportions in oysters and mussels cultured in the upper layer of the water column, while the proportions decreased and those of polyester increased in Manila clams and scallops that were cultured in intertidal sediments or the middle and bottom layers of the water column. The annual dietary intake of microplastics by the Korean population via shellfish consumption was estimated as 212 n/person·year. Our results suggested that microplastic pollution is widespread in commercial bivalves and we recommend a systematic and integrative market-basket survey to clarify the current status of human exposure to microplastics.
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Researchers studied how microplastics affect reproduction and biochemistry in the freshwater water flea Daphnia magna, a widely used indicator species. They found that microplastic exposure led to changes in reproductive output and altered key biochemical markers in these small crustaceans. The study suggests that even tiny plastic particles can disrupt important biological functions in freshwater organisms that form the base of aquatic food webs.
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Researchers found that microplastic exposure negatively affected reproduction and juvenile growth in Daphnia magna, a key freshwater zooplankton species, with effects worsening at higher concentrations and posing risks for aquatic food chains.
Toxic impact of polystyrene microplastic particles in freshwater organisms
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Researchers tested the toxic effects of polystyrene microplastics on four freshwater species including algae, rotifers, crustaceans, and ostracods. They found that water fleas were the most sensitive, with chronic effects appearing at very low concentrations, and that microplastics caused both DNA damage and increased production of reactive oxygen species. The study highlights that even at relatively low concentrations, microplastics can pose a meaningful threat to freshwater ecosystems.
The effect of microplastics on Daphnia fitness – systematic review and meta-analysis.
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This systematic review and meta-analysis examines how micro and nanoplastic particles affect the health and reproduction of Daphnia, a tiny freshwater organism commonly used as an indicator of water quality. The findings matter because Daphnia sit at the base of many aquatic food chains, so harm to these organisms from plastic pollution can ripple upward through ecosystems and ultimately affect the fish and water we depend on.
Impact of polystyrene microplastics on Daphnia magna mortality and reproduction in relation to food availability
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Researchers exposed the freshwater crustacean Daphnia magna to polystyrene microplastics under varying food availability conditions and found that microplastic impacts on mortality and reproduction were most severe when food was limited. The study suggests that the ecological effects of microplastics on zooplankton are strongly influenced by nutritional status, with food-stressed organisms being more vulnerable to particle ingestion.
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