We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Trophic transfer of microplastics in Phalacrocorax auritus (Double-Crested Cormorants) and fish in Lake Champlain
AI summary Read the abstract
This study investigated trophic transfer of microplastics from invertebrates and fish to double-crested cormorants in Lake Champlain, finding microplastics at all trophic levels including in the birds. The results confirm that microplastics move up the food chain and accumulate in top predators, with implications for wildlife health and human consumers of fish.
The goal of this research was to determine whether microplastics (MP) result in trophic transfer within invertebrates, fish, and Phalacrocorax auritus (Double-crested Cormorants) resident to Lake Champlain. We did so by quantifying and characterizing (e.g., fragment, fiber, film, foam, pellet) plastic particulate. Wet peroxide oxidation digests were performed on digestive tracts of 665 lake organisms, specifically invertebrates, 15 species of fish, Salvenlius namaycush (Lake Trout), Micropetrus salmoides (Largemouth Bass), Esox lucius (Northern Pike), Amia calva (Bowfin), Micropterus dolomieu (Smallmouth Bass), Salmo salar (Atlantic Salmon), Ameiurus nebulosus (Brown Bullhead Catfish), Perca flavescens (Yellow Perch), Archosargus probatocephalus (Sheepshead), Morone americana (White Perch), Lepomis macrochirus (Bluegill sunfish), Osmerus mordax (Rainbow Smelt), Cottus cognatus (Slimy Sculpin), Ambloplites rupestris (Rock Bass), Alosa pseudoharengus (Alewife), and Phalacrocorax auritis (Double-crested Cormorants). Our research indicated that fibers were the were the most common (80.1%) type of particulate found in all organisms, followed by fragments (9.64%), films (6.36%), foam (3.01%), and pellets (<1%). The fish species Amia calva (Bowfin) contained the greatest average number of plastic particulate (χ ̅= 29.67), followed by Salvelinus hamaycush (Lake Trout) (χ ̅= 22), and Esox Lucius (Northern Pike) (χ ̅= 18.42). Among digested fish, stomachs contained the greatest mean number of MPs (χ ̅= 5.84), followed by the esophagus (χ ̅= 5.48) and intestines (χ ̅=4.76). These findings illustrate trophic transfer in addition to direct consumption of MP’s in Lake Champlain organisms, as invertebrates, fish, and double-crested cormorants contained on average 0.615, 6.49, and 22.93 microplastic particles. Results from this research serve to inform residents of the Lake Champlain watershed, anglers, non-profit lake organizations, as well as public health and government officials of the risks microplastics pose to aquatic biota and ultimately humans.
More Papers Like This
Microplastics in the diet of nestling double-crested cormorants (Phalacrocorax auritus), an obligate piscivore in a freshwater ecosystem
AI summary Read the abstract
Microplastics were found in the diet of double-crested cormorant chicks nesting near the Great Lakes, primarily as plastic fibers. This is one of the first studies to document microplastic ingestion in freshwater fish-eating birds in North America, suggesting the contamination extends through freshwater food webs.
Microplastic Biomagnification in Invertebrates Fish and Cormorants in Lake Champlain
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers investigated microplastic biomagnification across invertebrates, fish, and double-crested cormorants in Lake Champlain, examining whether plastic particle concentrations increase as contaminants move up the freshwater food web.
A Survey of Microplastics in Invertebrates in the Lake Champlain Basin
AI summary Read the abstract
This study investigated microplastic ingestion by aquatic macroinvertebrates in the Lake Champlain basin, finding microplastics in multiple invertebrate species at various sites. The results confirm that microplastics have entered the base of the food web in this large North American freshwater lake.
Uptake and Transfer of Polyamide Microplastics in a Freshwater Mesocosm Study
AI summary Read the abstract
A freshwater mesocosm study tracked the trophic and ontogenetic transfer of polyamide microplastics through an aquatic food web under near-natural conditions, confirming that particles were transferred between prey and predators at multiple levels. The results demonstrate that microplastic transfer through food webs occurs in realistic community settings, not just isolated laboratory tests.
Ecological risk assessment of microplastics in the marine environment
AI summary Read the abstract
This study examined microplastic occurrence in macroinvertebrate communities in Lake Champlain, documenting ingestion rates and particle characteristics across multiple taxa. Filter feeders and deposit feeders had the highest plastic loads, suggesting bottom-up transfer through the benthic food web.
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.