We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Do microplastics affect marine ecosystem productivity?
AI summary Read the abstract
This study estimated the ecosystem-level impacts of microplastics on marine productivity by scaling up laboratory findings on individual algae and zooplankton to broader ecological models. The results suggest that microplastics may measurably reduce both primary and secondary marine productivity, with consequences for ocean carbon cycling and food webs.
Marine and coastal ecosystems are among the largest contributors to the Earth’s productivity. Experimental studies have shown negative impacts of microplastics on individual algae or zooplankton organisms. Consequently, primary and secondary productivity may be negatively affected as well. In this study we attempted to estimate the impacts on productivity at ecosystem level based on reported laboratory findings with a modelling approach, using our biogeochemical model for the North Sea (Delft3D-GEM). Although the model predicted that microplastics do not affect the total primary or secondary production of the North Sea as a whole, the spatial patterns of secondary production were altered, showing local changes of ±10%. However, relevant field data on microplastics are scarce, and strong assumptions were required to include the plastic concentrations and their impacts under field conditions into the model. These assumptions reveal the main knowledge gaps that have to be resolved to improve the first estimate above.
More Papers Like This
Do microplastics affect marine ecosystem productivity?
AI summary Read the abstract
This study estimated the potential impact of microplastics on marine ecosystem productivity (algae and zooplankton growth) by synthesizing lab toxicity data. The analysis suggested that current environmental microplastic concentrations may reduce primary productivity in some ocean regions, with knock-on effects up the food chain.
Microplastics alter the functioning of marine microbial ecosystems
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers used experimental mesocosms to investigate how microplastics affect the structure and functioning of marine microbial ecosystems. They found that microplastics indirectly altered marine productivity by shifting the composition of bacterial and phytoplankton communities. The study provides evidence that microplastic pollution can disrupt fundamental ecological processes in ocean ecosystems beyond effects on individual organisms.
Potential impacts of microplastic on zooplankton at the global scale
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers used mathematical modeling to estimate the global-scale impacts of microplastic pollution on ocean zooplankton, which form the foundation of marine food webs. Their models suggest that microplastics cause zooplankton to reduce their feeding rates and shift their prey preferences, which could have cascading effects on carbon export from surface waters to the deep ocean. The study highlights that even modest disruptions to zooplankton behavior from microplastics could have significant consequences for ocean biogeochemistry.
Modelled broad-scale shifts on seafloor ecosystem functioning due to microplastic impacts on bioturbation
AI summary Read the abstract
Model simulations incorporating experimental bioturbation data found that broad-scale reductions in seafloor bioturbation caused by microplastic impacts on marine invertebrates could significantly alter nutrient cycling in marine sediments at ecosystem scales.
Model exploration of microplastic effects on zooplankton grazing reveal potential impacts on the global carbon cycle
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers used a global ocean model to explore how microplastics could affect zooplankton grazing and, in turn, the ocean's carbon cycle. The study suggests that while microplastic impacts on zooplankton remain concentrated in about 10% of the ocean surface, heavily contaminated areas like subtropical gyres could see meaningful shifts in biological carbon export to the deep ocean over the coming decades.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.