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Occurrence of Microplastics in Fishing Cat (Prionailurus viverrinus) scat: Hidden Threats to Wetland Ecosystems of Thailand
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This study investigated how microplastic exposure affects freshwater biofilm communities, assessing changes in algal and bacterial composition, biomass, and photosynthetic activity. The findings demonstrate that microplastics can disrupt benthic biofilms, which form the base of aquatic food webs and play critical roles in nutrient cycling.
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Microplastics Ingestion by Fish Species in Thailand’s Aquatic Ecosystems
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Researchers synthesized data from 175 assessments of plastic ingestion by fish species across Thailand's aquatic habitats, revealing widespread microplastic occurrence and raising significant concerns about ecosystem health and the potential transfer of plastic contaminants to humans through seafood consumption.
Plastic ingestion by fishing cats suggests trophic transfer in urban wetlands
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Researchers analyzed 276 fishing cat (Prionailurus viverrinus) scat samples from urban Colombo, Sri Lanka and detected macroscopic plastic debris in 2.17% of samples and microplastics in 0.72%, with plastic found across scats containing rodent, avian, and fish remains, suggesting trophic transfer of plastics through urban wetland food webs.
Microplastics in Wetland Ecosystem: A Complex Nexus and Way Forward
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This review examines the distribution, fate, and ecological impacts of microplastics in wetland ecosystems, which serve as both sinks and potential secondary sources of microplastic contamination. Wetlands filter water supplies and support biodiversity, so microplastic accumulation there directly threatens aquatic food webs, drinking water quality, and the communities that depend on these ecosystems.
Microplastics Abundance in Aquatic Environment and its Impact on Macrobenthos
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Researchers reviewed how microplastic pollution affects macrobenthic communities across marine and freshwater ecosystems, documenting impaired feeding, oxidative damage, and developmental defects in organisms ranging from sponges and corals to mollusks, crustaceans, and echinoderms.
Evaluation of microplastic presence and risks in freshwater fish from Anzali International Wetland, Iran
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Scientists found tiny plastic particles (mostly blue plastic fibers) in the gills and guts of fish from an Iranian wetland, with bottom-feeding fish like tench carrying the most contamination. Since these fish are part of the food chain, and some are likely eaten by people, this suggests microplastics could be working their way up to our dinner plates, highlighting the need for better pollution controls and testing methods to understand the full health risks.
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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.