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20 resultsShowing papers similar to Long-term effects of conventional and biodegradable microplastics from mulch on freshwater communities
ClearLong-term effects of conventional and biodegradable microplastics from mulch on freshwater communities
Researchers examined the long-term effects of both conventional and biodegradable mulch film microplastics on freshwater zooplankton populations after leaching from agricultural soils. Even environmentally relevant concentrations of mulch-derived microplastics reduced zooplankton reproduction, with biodegradable mulch microplastics showing effects comparable to conventional plastics.
Long-term exposure of a free-living freshwater micro- and meiobenthos community to microplastic mixtures in microcosms
Researchers exposed a natural freshwater micro- and meiobenthos community to microplastic mixtures in long-term microcosm experiments, finding community-level effects that differ from single-species studies and highlighting the importance of realistic multi-polymer exposure scenarios.
Contrasting the effects of microplastic types, concentrations and nutrient enrichment on freshwater communities and ecosystem functioning
Researchers tested two types of microplastics, conventional polyethylene and biodegradable polylactic acid, in outdoor freshwater mesocosms and found that neither type significantly affected community composition or ecosystem functions like algae growth and leaf decomposition. Even at concentrations known to cause harm in lab settings, the microplastics had minimal impact when tested in more realistic ecological conditions. The study suggests that real-world microplastic effects on freshwater communities may differ from laboratory predictions.
Combined impacts of micoplastic type, concentrations and nutrient loading on freshwater communities and ecosystems
Researchers used 40 outdoor freshwater mesocosms to test the independent and interactive effects of microplastic type (conventional vs. bio-based biodegradable), particle concentration, and nutrient enrichment on pelagic community structure and ecosystem functions including phytoplankton biomass, periphyton productivity, and leaf litter decomposition, finding no significant impacts at the ecosystem scale.
Nano- and microplastics affect the composition of freshwater benthic communities in the long term
Researchers conducted a 15-month mesocosm experiment exposing freshwater communities to five concentrations of nano- and microplastics, assessing long-term effects on community composition under ecologically realistic conditions. The study found that chronic exposure at environmentally relevant concentrations affected the composition of freshwater microalgal assemblages.
Soil Microbial Biomass and Microarthropod Community Responses to Conventional and Biodegradable Plastics
Researchers assessed the medium-term effects of conventional polyethylene plastic mulch versus biodegradable alternatives on soil microbial biomass and microarthropod communities. They found that both plastic types and their residues in soil influenced biological communities over time, though the specific impacts differed between conventional and biodegradable materials. The study provides evidence that switching to bioplastic mulches may alter, but not necessarily eliminate, the effects of plastic residues on soil ecosystems.
The impact of microplastics on lake communities: A mesocosm study
Researchers conducted a mesocosm experiment to assess how microplastic contamination affects lake communities, including zooplankton, macroinvertebrates, and fish. They found that microplastic exposure caused varying effects across organism groups, with some community-level changes observed over the study period. The study highlights that microplastic pollution can alter freshwater ecosystem dynamics beyond what has been documented in single-species laboratory studies.
In Situ Effects of a Microplastic Mixture on the Community Structure of Benthic Macroinvertebrates in a Freshwater Pond
Researchers conducted an in situ mesocosm experiment adding a realistic microplastic mixture to freshwater pond sediments and monitored benthic macroinvertebrate communities over time, finding that MP exposure shifted community composition and reduced taxonomic richness at environmentally relevant concentrations.
Nutrient enrichment mediates the effect of biodegradable and conventional microplastics on macroinvertebrate communities
A semi-natural mesocosm experiment compared the effects of biodegradable PLA microplastics and conventional HDPE microplastics on freshwater macroinvertebrate communities, finding that overall community effects were weak but that HDPE reduced invertebrate diversity more than PLA — except when nutrient enrichment was present, which erased this difference. The findings suggest that nutrient pollution interacts with microplastic type in complex ways, and that assessments of bioplastics as \"safer\" alternatives need to account for real-world co-stressors. More large-scale, long-term experiments are needed before drawing firm conclusions.
Ecological impacts of polylactic acid and polylactic acid-polyethylene microplastics on freshwater ecosystems: Insights from a water–Vallisneria natans–sediment system
Researchers tested the effects of biodegradable PLA and PLA-polyethylene blend microplastics on a freshwater ecosystem containing aquatic plants and sediment. Both types of microplastics altered water chemistry, reduced plant growth, increased oxidative stress, and shifted the microbial communities in both water and sediment. The study demonstrates that even biodegradable plastic alternatives can disrupt freshwater ecosystems in meaningful ways.
Soil biota modulate the effects of microplastics on biomass and diversity of plant communities
Researchers used mesocosm experiments with natural soil biota to compare the effects of biodegradable and non-biodegradable microplastics on plant community biomass and diversity. Soil biota modulated the impact of microplastics, with biodegradable plastics showing similar effects to conventional plastics on plant community structure, challenging the assumption that biodegradable alternatives are environmentally benign.
Microplastics from agricultural mulch films: Biodegradation and ecotoxicity in freshwater systems
Researchers investigated the biodegradation and ecotoxicity of microplastics derived from bio-based biodegradable agricultural mulch films in freshwater systems. They found that UV-aged particles triggered stronger antioxidant defense responses in insect larvae compared to pristine particles, though long-term survival and growth were not significantly affected. The study suggests that while biodegradable mulch microplastics do interact with freshwater organisms, the ecological effects observed were relatively moderate at the concentrations tested.
Effects of a microplastic mixture differ across trophic levels and taxa in a freshwater food web: In situ mesocosm experiment
Researchers conducted the first in situ mesocosm experiment testing the effects of a microplastic mixture on a freshwater lake food web, spanning multiple trophic levels. The study found that microplastic effects varied across different organisms and trophic levels, providing important community-level evidence that laboratory findings may not fully predict how microplastics impact real aquatic ecosystems.
Different mulch films, consistent results: soil fauna responses to microplastic
Scientists compared how conventional polyethylene and biodegradable PLA/PBAT microplastics affect earthworms and springtails in soil over 28 days. Neither plastic type significantly harmed reproduction, but subtle cellular stress responses were detected, and the effects were similar for both conventional and biodegradable plastics, suggesting that biodegradable alternatives may not be safer for soil organisms.
Effects of microplastics on nitrogen and phosphorus cycles and microbial communities in sediments
Researchers found that PVC, PLA, and polypropylene microplastics altered nitrogen and phosphorus cycling in freshwater sediments by shifting microbial community composition, with effects varying by polymer type and biodegradability.
Microplastics in soil ecosystems: soil fauna responses to field applications of conventional and biodegradable microplastics
Researchers conducted a field experiment comparing the effects of conventional polyethylene and polypropylene microplastics with biodegradable polylactic acid and polybutylene succinate microplastics on soil fauna communities, finding no significant effects on community composition after 40 days at any concentration tested.
Microplastic exposure drives divergent assembly mechanisms in riverine microorganisms: Poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) triggers metabolic shifts vs polyethylene-enhanced network complexity
Researchers compared how conventional polyethylene and biodegradable PBAT microplastics affect microbial communities in river water over 60 days. They found that both types significantly altered bacterial diversity, but through different mechanisms: PBAT triggered metabolic shifts in microorganisms while polyethylene increased the complexity of microbial networks. The study suggests that even biodegradable plastics can meaningfully disrupt aquatic microbial ecosystems.
Microplastics and riverine macroinvertebrate communities in a multiple-stressor context: A mesocosm approach
Researchers conducted a seven-week experiment using streamside channels to study how microplastics of different sizes and concentrations affect freshwater invertebrate communities, both alone and combined with fine sediment. They found that microplastic effects on invertebrate abundance and community composition were generally modest compared to the well-known impacts of sediment pollution. The study suggests that in real-world streams facing multiple stressors, microplastics may not be the dominant threat to bottom-dwelling organisms.
Ecological implications of biodegradable and conventional microplastics: Dissolved organic matter bioavailability and microbial response in marine systems
Researchers compared the dissolved organic matter released by biodegradable and conventional microplastics and assessed its bioavailability to marine microbial communities. They found that biodegradable plastics like PLA released organic matter that was more readily used by microorganisms, which altered microbial community composition. The study suggests that while biodegradable plastics break down faster, their leached compounds may have distinct and potentially significant ecological effects in marine environments.
Weak effects of conventional and biodegradable microplastics on marine microbial communities
Researchers conducted a mesocosm experiment to compare the effects of biodegradable and conventional microplastics on marine microbial communities in the Baltic Sea. Using epifluorescence microscopy and other techniques, they found that both types of microplastics had relatively weak effects on planktonic bacterial activity and abundance. The study suggests that the direct impact of microplastics on marine microbial communities may be less pronounced than previously assumed.