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Effects of conventional and biodegradable microplastics on a marine ecosystem engineer (Arenicola marina) and sediment nutrient cycling

Environmental Pollution 2015 439 citations ? Citation count from OpenAlex, updated daily. May differ slightly from the publisher's own count. Score: 55 ? 0–100 AI score estimating relevance to the microplastics field. Papers below 30 are filtered from public browse.

Shan Jiang, Bas Boots, Bas Boots, Dannielle S. Green, Dannielle S. Green, Dannielle S. Green, Dannielle S. Green, Dannielle S. Green, Dannielle S. Green, Dannielle S. Green, Bas Boots, Shan Jiang, Dannielle S. Green, Bas Boots, Bas Boots, Bas Boots, Bas Boots, Julia D. Sigwart Dannielle S. Green, Bas Boots, Bas Boots, Dannielle S. Green, Bas Boots, Dannielle S. Green, Dannielle S. Green, Bas Boots, Julia D. Sigwart Dannielle S. Green, Bas Boots, Dannielle S. Green, Dannielle S. Green, Bas Boots, Shan Jiang, Dannielle S. Green, Dannielle S. Green, Dannielle S. Green, Dannielle S. Green, Dannielle S. Green, Dannielle S. Green, Julia D. Sigwart Carlos Rocha, Bas Boots, Bas Boots, Julia D. Sigwart Shan Jiang, Bas Boots, Shan Jiang, Bas Boots, Dannielle S. Green, Julia D. Sigwart

Summary

Researchers assessed the effects of biodegradable and conventional microplastics on lugworms, a key marine ecosystem engineer, in outdoor mesocosms. The study found that both types of microplastics at increasing concentrations affected lugworm health and biological activity as well as sediment nutrient cycling, suggesting that even biodegradable plastics may pose risks to marine sediment ecosystems.

Polymers

PE PLA PVC

Study Type Environmental

Effects of microplastic pollution on benthic organisms and ecosystem services provided by sedimentary habitats are largely unknown. An outdoor mesocosm experiment was done to realistically assess the effects of three different types of microplastic pollution (one biodegradable type; polylactic acid and two conventional types; polyethylene and polyvinylchloride) at increasing concentrations (0.02, 0.2 and 2% of wet sediment weight) on the health and biological activity of lugworms, Arenicola marina (Linnaeus, 1758), and on nitrogen cycling and primary productivity of the sediment they inhabit. After 31 days, A. marina produced less casts in sediments containing microplastics. Metabolic rates of A. marina increased, while microalgal biomass decreased at high concentrations, compared to sediments with low concentrations or without microplastics. Responses were strongest to polyvinylchloride, emphasising that different materials may have differential effects. Each material needs to be carefully evaluated in order to assess their risks as microplastic pollution. Overall, both conventional and biodegradable microplastics in sandy sediments can affect the health and behaviour of lugworms and directly or indirectly reduce primary productivity of these habitats.

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