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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Microplastics in the Delaware Bay: distribution and direct effects on major zooplankton
ClearMicroplastic concentration, characterization, and size distribution in the Delaware Bay estuary
Researchers measured microplastic concentrations and composition in the Delaware Bay estuary across two sampling campaigns. The study found that polyethylene and polypropylene were the dominant polymer types, and the highest microplastic levels were observed near visible debris along frontal zones, suggesting that estuarine dynamics play an important role in shaping microplastic distribution.
Pervasive occurrence of microplastics in Hudson-Raritan estuary zooplankton
Researchers found microplastics in the majority of zooplankton samples collected across the Hudson-Raritan estuary, with fibers being the most prevalent particle type, indicating that estuarine zooplankton are extensively exposed to microplastic contamination and represent a pathway for plastic entry into the food web.
Review: Effects of microplastic on zooplankton survival and sublethal responses
This review synthesised 88 published studies to examine the effects of microplastics on zooplankton survival and sublethal responses including growth, development, feeding rate, reproduction, organ damage, and gene expression. Daphnids and copepods were identified as the most sensitive groups, with feeding rate and fecundity significantly decreased at environmentally relevant microplastic concentrations.
Assessing Microplastic Contamination in Zooplanktonic Organisms from Two River Estuaries
Researchers assessed microplastic contamination in zooplankton sampled from two river estuaries, finding microplastics in a significant proportion of individual organisms from both sites. Fibre shapes dominated ingested plastics, and contamination levels were higher in the more urbanized estuary, indicating that land-based pollution inputs drive microplastic exposure in estuarine zooplankton.
Microplastics in the Delaware River Estuary: Mapping the Distribution and Modeling Hydrodynamic Transport
Researchers mapped the distribution of microplastics in the Delaware River Estuary and used hydrodynamic modeling to understand how water currents transport these particles. They found that microplastic concentrations varied significantly across the estuary, with higher levels near urban and industrial areas. The study demonstrates that river and tidal dynamics play a major role in determining where microplastic pollution accumulates.
Ecology of microplastics contamination within food webs of estuarine and coastal ecosystems
This paper describes a methodology for studying how microplastics are distributed seasonally and spatially through an estuary food web, from zooplankton to demersal fish. Understanding the ecology of microplastic transfer in estuaries is essential for assessing human dietary exposure through seafood from these highly productive environments.
Is Zooplankton an Entry Point of Microplastics into the Marine Food Web?
Researchers investigated microplastic ingestion by zooplankton in natural marine environments, examining whether copepods and other zooplankton serve as an entry point for transferring microplastics from the water column into the marine food web.
Microplastic accumulation and vertical distribution in the Delaware Estuary estuarine turbidity maximum
Researchers studied microplastic accumulation in the Delaware Estuary's turbidity maximum zone — a region where tidal currents concentrate suspended particles — and found microplastics present throughout the water column at all sampling stations. Particle modeling helped explain how estuary dynamics trap and concentrate plastic debris, making estuaries more efficient sinks for microplastics than the open ocean. This adds to evidence that coastal urban estuaries are significant accumulation zones where microplastics can be ingested by filter feeders and enter food chains.
Presence of microplastics in benthic and epibenthic organisms: Influence of habitat, feeding mode and trophic level
This study examined microplastic occurrence in benthic and epibenthic invertebrates from the Western English Channel, finding that habitat type, feeding mode, and trophic level all influenced microplastic ingestion rates. The results suggest that bottom-dwelling filter feeders and deposit feeders are among the most exposed organisms in seafloor food webs.
Effects of microplastics on the feeding rates of larvae of a coastal fish: direct consumption, trophic transfer, and effects on growth and survival
Researchers tested whether microplastics in seawater affect the feeding rates, growth, and survival of California Grunion fish larvae. They found that microplastics reduced feeding rates and demonstrated that trophic transfer of microplastics from zooplankton to larval fish occurs readily. The study suggests that microplastic pollution may impair early fish development by interfering with feeding behavior and introducing contaminants through the food chain.
Does microplastic ingestion by zooplankton affect predator-prey interactions? An experimental study on larviphagy
Filter feeders consumed significantly fewer zooplankton prey that had ingested microplastics compared to uncontaminated prey, suggesting that microplastic ingestion makes zooplankton less appealing or nutritious. This effect on predation could have cascading consequences for marine food webs.
Microplastic ingestion in zooplankton from the Fram Strait in the Arctic
Researchers found that all five zooplankton species examined in the Arctic Fram Strait had ingested microplastics, with polyester and polyamide fibers being the most common types, confirming widespread microplastic contamination at the base of the Arctic food web.
Suspended microplastics in a highly polluted bay: Abundance, size, and availability for mesozooplankton
Researchers quantified suspended microplastics in Guanabara Bay, Brazil using different mesh size nets, finding high microplastic abundance and characterizing size distributions to assess the availability of plastic particles for ingestion by mesozooplankton as an entry point into the food web.
Effects of Microplastics on the Feeding Rates of Larvae of a Coastal Fish: Direct Consumption, Trophic Transfer, and Effects on Growth and Survival
Microplastics in seawater reduced the feeding rates of California grunion larvae and could be transferred from prey (copepods) to fish, indicating trophic transfer is possible. The findings suggest that microplastic pollution may impair fish growth and survival by reducing food intake in early life stages.
In situ microplastic ingestion by neritic zooplankton of the central Mexican Pacific
Researchers documented in situ microplastic ingestion by zooplankton in two bays of the central Mexican Pacific, finding that copepods, decapod larvae, and chaetognaths ingested microplastics, predominantly fibers, with higher rates during the rainy season.
Ingestion of Microplastics by Zooplankton in the Northeast Pacific Ocean
Researchers collected zooplankton from the northeast Pacific Ocean and found microplastics ingested by multiple species, demonstrating that microplastic uptake occurs throughout the open ocean zooplankton community far from coastlines.
Zooplankton responses to environmentally relevant microplastic conditions at low food availability
Researchers exposed marine zooplankton to environmentally relevant concentrations of microplastics under realistic low-exposure conditions, measuring effects on feeding, reproduction, and survival over multiple generations. Even at low concentrations, chronic microplastic exposure reduced zooplankton fitness.
Observations and Simulations of Microplastic Debris in a Tide, Wind, and Freshwater-Driven Estuarine Environment: the Delaware Bay
Researchers sampled microplastic concentrations in Delaware Bay and used high-resolution numerical modelling to simulate transport of buoyant particles driven by tides, wind, and freshwater inputs, finding average concentrations of 0.19-1.24 pieces/m3 with higher values in the upper bay near the estuarine turbidity maximum. Model results predicted that buoyant microplastic distributions become highly patchy within hours and can vary by a factor of 1000 within a single tidal cycle.
Feasting on microplastics: ingestion by and effects on marine organisms
This review synthesizes experimental studies on microplastic ingestion and effects across a wide range of marine organisms, finding evidence of physical harm, reproductive effects, and reduced feeding in multiple taxa. The paper provides a comprehensive overview of the biological consequences of microplastic ingestion and identifies key knowledge gaps for future research.
Microplastic ingestion by zooplankton in surf zone waters of sandy beaches: Are copepods potential reservoirs of these emerging pollutants?
Researchers investigated microplastic ingestion by tiny zooplankton species in the surf zone of Atlantic beaches in southern Brazil. They found microplastics in the water at concentrations up to 1,750 items per cubic meter, with fibers being the most common type, and confirmed that copepods were ingesting these particles. The study suggests that zooplankton in turbulent nearshore waters may act as reservoirs that introduce microplastics into marine food webs.
Impacts of microplastics on coastal biota and the potential for trophic transfer
This research investigated how microplastics affect coastal marine organisms and whether they transfer up the food chain, finding that beach invertebrates readily ingest microplastics and show behavioral changes, and that contaminated prey can transfer plastics to predators. The results raise concerns about cascading effects through marine food webs.
Impacts of macro - and microplastic on macrozoobenthos abundance in intertidal zone
This study assessed how macro- and microplastics affect the abundance of bottom-dwelling invertebrates in an intertidal zone, finding that plastic contamination is linked to reduced invertebrate diversity. The results highlight ecological impacts of plastic pollution in coastal ecosystems that provide food resources for humans.
Bioavailability and effects of microplastics on marine zooplankton: A review
This review synthesized laboratory and field evidence on microplastic bioavailability and effects on marine zooplankton, finding that multiple taxa readily ingest microplastics with negative impacts on feeding, reproduction, and energy balance, and that zooplankton represent a critical route for transferring microplastics into marine food webs. The authors identify particle size, concentration, and feeding behavior as the main determinants of microplastic bioavailability to zooplankton.
The distribution and ecological effects of microplastics in an estuarine ecosystem
Researchers surveyed 22 intertidal sites and found that microplastic abundance, size, and diversity correlated with benthic microalgal communities and sediment biostabilization properties in an estuarine ecosystem.