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Microplastics on beaches: ingestion and behavioural consequences for beachhoppers
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Researchers showed that beach-dwelling amphipods (beachhoppers) ingest microplastics and subsequently show altered predator-avoidance and social behaviors, suggesting plastic contamination can disrupt the survival instincts of small coastal animals in ways that may ripple up through food webs.
Microplastics are ubiquitous in the marine environment worldwide, and may cause a physical and chemical risk to marine organisms. Their small size makes them bioavailable to a range of organisms with evidence of ingestion at all levels of the marine ecosystem. Despite an increasing body of research into microplastics, few studies have explored how consumption changes complex behaviours such as predator avoidance and social interactions. Pollutant exposure can result in alterations in behaviour that not only leads to sub optimal conditions for individual organisms but may also serve as a warning sign for wider effects on a system. This research assessed the impacts of microplastics on the ecology of coastal biota using beachhoppers (Platorchestia smithi) as model organisms. We exposed beachhoppers to marine-contaminated microplastics to understand effects on survival and behaviour. Beachhoppers readily ingested microplastics, and there was evidence for accumulation of microplastics within the organisms. Exposure tests showed that microplastic consumption can affect beachhopper survival. Individuals also displayed reduced jump height and an increase in weight, however, there was no significant difference in time taken to relocate shelter post disturbance. Overall, these results show that short-term ingestion of microplastics have an impact on survival and behaviour of P. smithi. A reduction in the capacity for beachhoppers to survive and function may have flow on effects to their local environment and higher trophic levels.
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Microplastic ingestion by fish from beaches with different characteristics in a tropical bay
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Researchers studying fish in a tropical bay found that 1 in 5 fish had microplastics in their stomachs, and this happened across all species, sizes, and locations, including areas far from big cities. Even fish-eating predators (which many humans also eat) showed contamination, suggesting plastic pollution is now baked into the food web from top to bottom. Since some of these fish end up on dinner plates, this study is a reminder that microplastic exposure through seafood may be more widespread than we think, and more research is needed to understand what that means for our health.
Insect Interactions with Microplastics Under Different Ecosystems
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This review examines how insects interact with microplastics across aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, including ingestion, bioaccumulation, and trophic transfer to insectivorous predators. Insects are key links in food webs connecting environmental microplastic contamination to vertebrate animals and humans, making their role in microplastic transfer a critical and underappreciated exposure pathway.
Microplastics and terrestrial birds: a review on plastic ingestion in ecological linchpins
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Researchers reviewed how microplastic pollution affects terrestrial birds — key ecological indicators — finding documented harms including intestinal blockage and developmental disruption, with implications for entire food webs since birds that ingest plastics can concentrate and transfer contamination to other species, including humans.
Differential microplastic contamination of waterbirds in a coastal region associated with trophic groups and spatial distribution
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A study of waterbird feces in southern Brazil found that shorebirds feeding in sediments had far higher microplastic loads than fish-eating birds, and contamination was worst near urban areas, with polyester and PVC the most common polymers detected. Trophic position and proximity to cities both shape how much plastic wildlife ingests, providing a natural monitoring system for tracking coastal microplastic pollution.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.