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The Effect of Microplastic Fibers on the Freshwater Amphipod, Hyalella Azteca
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A 42-day laboratory study found that polypropylene microplastic fibers caused significant reductions in growth and reproduction of freshwater amphipods at all tested concentrations, with no mating occurring at higher concentrations. The findings demonstrate that microplastic fibers—the most common form found in aquatic environments—are chronically toxic to small freshwater invertebrates at relatively low levels.
Microplastics are a growing and persistent contaminant in aquatic ecosystems. There is a wide variety of shapes that MPs can take, with fibers being the most prominently found in marine systems. Few studies have investigated the toxicological implications of MP exposure to freshwater organisms, and none so far has quantified the effect that fibers, as compared to spherical particles, may have on aquatic organisms. A 42-day chronic exposure to polypropylene MP fibers (0 – 22.5 MPs/mL) was conducted in order to investigate potential effects on mortality, growth, reproduction, and egestion times. Significant mortality was only observed at the highest concentration (22.5 MPs/mL). Growth and reproduction is also significantly less than the control at all exposures to MP fibers, with no mating pairs forming at all in concentrations greater than 5.63 MPs/mL. Interestingly, gut clearance times after exposure to MP fibers is also greater at concentrations greater than 5.63 MPs/mL. Delays in reproduction and growth may result from deficiencies in nutrient uptake. This study provides further insight on how the shape of MPs may hold significant implications on their toxicity to aquatic organisms.
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Researchers exposed the freshwater amphipod Hyalella azteca to polyethylene microplastics in both short-term and long-term laboratory tests. They found that chronic exposure over 10 days to high concentrations of the smallest microplastic particles reduced survival and reproduction. The study provides some of the first data on how microplastics affect freshwater invertebrates over extended periods, highlighting the importance of particle size and exposure duration.
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Exposure of the amphipod Hyalella azteca to microplastics. A study on subtoxic responses and particle biofragmentation
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Scientists exposed freshwater amphipods (Hyalella azteca) to polystyrene microplastics and observed subtle but measurable effects on the animals' behavior and biology even at concentrations below those causing visible harm. Importantly, the amphipods physically broke down the microplastics into much smaller fragments through ingestion and digestion. The study highlights that animals in the environment may be actively generating nanoplastics from microplastics, accelerating the fragmentation of plastic pollution.
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Exposing freshwater amphipods to polyethylene microplastics caused significant mortality, reduced growth, and disrupted swimming behavior and mating, with males more vulnerable to death and females more affected in growth rate. These crustaceans are a key link in freshwater food webs, meaning microplastic-driven population declines could cascade through entire aquatic ecosystems.
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