We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
RETRACTED: Environmentally relevant concentrations of microplastic particles influence larval fish ecology
Summary
Note: This paper has been retracted by the journal. The original study claimed that microplastic exposure at environmental levels harmed larval fish development and behavior, but the findings were later deemed unreliable. Retracted studies should not be used as evidence for microplastic health effects, though the topic of microplastic impacts on early-life fish development continues to be studied by other research groups.
The widespread occurrence and accumulation of plastic waste in the environment have become a growing global concern over the past decade. Although some marine organisms have been shown to ingest plastic, few studies have investigated the ecological effects of plastic waste on animals. Here we show that exposure to environmentally relevant concentrations of microplastic polystyrene particles (90 micrometers) inhibits hatching, decreases growth rates, and alters feeding preferences and innate behaviors of European perch (Perca fluviatilis) larvae. Furthermore, individuals exposed to microplastics do not respond to olfactory threat cues, which greatly increases predator-induced mortality rates. Our results demonstrate that microplastic particles operate both chemically and physically on larval fish performance and development.