We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Direct and indirect effects of different types of microplastics on freshwater prey (Corbicula fluminea) and their predator (Acipenser transmontanus)
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers investigated the direct and indirect effects of different microplastic types on freshwater primary producers — algae and aquatic plants — finding that physical shading and chemical leachates both contributed to growth inhibition.
We examined whether environmentally relevant concentrations of different types of microplastics, with or without PCBs, directly affect freshwater prey and indirectly affect their predators. Asian clams (Corbicula fluminea) were exposed to environmentally relevant concentrations of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene, polyvinylchloride (PVC) or polystyrene with and without polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) for 28 days. Their predators, white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus), were exposed to clams from each treatment for 28 days. In both species, we examined bioaccumulation of PCBs and effects (i.e., immunohistochemistry, histology, behavior, condition, mortality) across several levels of biological organization. PCBs were not detected in prey or predator, and thus differences in bioaccumulation of PCBs among polymers and biomagnification in predators could not be measured. One of the main objectives of this study was to test the hypothesis that bioaccumulation of PCBs would differ among polymer types. Because we could not answer this question experimentally, a bioaccumulation model was run and predicted that concentrations of PCBs in clams exposed to polyethylene and polystyrene would be greater than PET and PVC. Observed effects, although subtle, seemed to be due to microplastics rather than PCBs alone. For example, histopathology showed tubular dilation in clams exposed to microplastics with PCBs, with only mild effects in clams exposed to PCBs alone.
More Papers Like This
Unraveling the toxic mechanisms of microplastics in aquatic ecosystem: A case study on Vallisneria natans and Myriophyllum verticillatum
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed two submerged aquatic plant species (Vallisneria natans and Myriophyllum verticillatum) to PVC, polystyrene, and polyethylene microplastics at three concentrations, finding that all three types significantly inhibited photosynthesis and growth and triggered oxidative stress, with effects varying by plastic type and plant species.
The effects of microplastics size and type on entrapment by freshwater macrophytes under vertical and lateral deposition
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers investigated how microplastic particle size and polymer type affect entrapment by freshwater macrophytes, finding that certain aquatic plant species preferentially intercepted specific particle sizes and that plant morphology determined capture efficiency across MPs of varying dimensions.
Toxic effects of microplastics on aquatic plants
AI summary Read the abstract
This review examines the toxic effects of microplastics on freshwater and aquatic plants, which are often the first organisms exposed in aquatic ecosystems. Microplastics can reduce plant growth, disrupt photosynthesis, and affect nutrient uptake, with effects varying by polymer type and particle size.
Trophic transfer of microplastics in a model freshwater microcosm; lack of a consumer avoidance response
AI summary Read the abstract
A model freshwater microcosm was used to test whether the aquatic plant Lemna minor could transfer microplastics to a consumer, finding that trophic transfer occurred and that the consumer did not avoid microplastic-contaminated food. The results confirm food-chain transfer of microplastics through simple aquatic systems and the lack of behavioral avoidance by primary consumers.
Effects of nanoplastics and microplastics on the growth of sediment-rooted macrophytes
AI summary Read the abstract
Both nano- and microplastic particles negatively affected the growth of freshwater macrophytes in sediment-rooted experiments, with nanoplastics causing more pronounced effects at lower concentrations. The findings highlight that aquatic plants, which form the base of many freshwater food webs, are vulnerable to plastic particle pollution.
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.