We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Microplastic ingestion decreases energy reserves in marine worms
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed marine worms to microplastics and found that ingestion reduced the worms' energy reserves, demonstrating that microplastic ingestion imposes a measurable energetic cost that could affect growth, reproduction, and survival.
The indiscriminate disposal of plastic to the environment is of concern. Microscopic plastic litter (<5 mm diameter; 'microplastic') is increasing in abundance in the marine environment, originating from the fragmentation of plastic items and from industry and personal-care products [1]. On highly impacted beaches, microplastic concentrations (<1mm) can reach 3% by weight, presenting a global conservation issue [2]. Microplastics are a novel substrate for the adherence of hydrophobic contaminants [1], deposition of eggs [3], and colonization by unique bacterial assemblages [4]. Ingestion by indiscriminate deposit-feeders has been reported, yet physical impacts remain understudied [1]. Here, we show that deposit-feeding marine worms maintained in sediments spiked with microscopic unplasticised polyvinylchloride (UPVC) at concentrations overlapping those in the environment had significantly depleted energy reserves by up to 50% (Figure 1). Our results suggest that depleted energy reserves arise from a combination of reduced feeding activity, longer gut residence times of ingested material and inflammation.
More Papers Like This
Effects of Microplastic on Fitness and PCB Bioaccumulation by the Lugworm Arenicola marina (L.)
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers tested whether microplastics in sediment affect lugworm fitness and PCB bioaccumulation, finding that microplastics reduced worm energy reserves and increased PCB uptake, demonstrating that microplastics can simultaneously harm organisms directly and enhance their chemical contaminant burden.
Earthworms on a microplastics diet
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that environmentally relevant concentrations of polyethylene microplastics added to plant litter on soil surfaces led to reduced growth and elevated mortality in the earthworm Lumbricus terrestris, and that earthworms may themselves transport ingested microplastics deeper into soils.
Microplastics disrupt energy metabolism in the brackish water flea Diaphanosoma celebensis
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed the brackish water flea Diaphanosoma celebensis to polystyrene microplastics and found disruption of digestive enzyme activity and depletion of energy reserves, demonstrating that microplastics impair energy metabolism in this zooplankton species.
Microplastic Moves Pollutants and Additives to Worms, Reducing Functions Linked to Health and Biodiversity
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed lugworms to sediment containing 5% microplastic pre-loaded with pollutants and plastic additives, confirming that ingested microplastic transfers chemicals into gut tissue — with nonylphenol uptake from PVC reducing immune cell function by over 60% and triclosan from PVC causing sediment-engineering impairment and mortality exceeding 55%.
The Effect of Microplastics on the Bioenergetics of the Mussel Mytilus coruscus Assessed by Cellular Energy Allocation Approach
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers studied the effects of polystyrene microplastics on the energy budget of mussels using a cellular energy allocation approach. They found that higher concentrations of microplastics increased energy demands while depleting carbohydrate, lipid, and protein stores, with lipid and protein levels failing to fully recover even after the microplastics were removed.
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.