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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Similarity of Microplastic Characteristics between Amphibian Larvae and Their Aquatic Environment
ClearVariation in microplastic characteristics among amphibian larvae: a comparative study across different species and the influence of human activity
Scientists examined microplastics inside amphibian larvae from 10 species and found plastic particles in all of them, with blue fibers being the most common type. Larger larvae tended to contain longer plastic fragments, and there was a relationship between human activity levels near habitats and the characteristics of the plastics found. This study shows that microplastic contamination has penetrated freshwater food webs, affecting animals during their most vulnerable developmental stages.
Combined contamination of microplastics and heavy metals in a riverine ecosystem: insights from fish and amphibian species
Researchers conducted the first simultaneous evaluation of microplastics and heavy metals in both freshwater fish and amphibians from the Seimareh River in western Iran. They found that amphibians ingested about 9% more microplastic particles than fish, and strong correlations between microplastic abundance and certain metals like lead, cadmium, and arsenic suggest that microplastics may enhance metal bioavailability. The study identifies amphibians as particularly sensitive indicators of combined pollution from microplastics and heavy metals.
Ecotoxicological perspectives of microplastic pollution in amphibians
This review summarizes research on how microplastics affect amphibians, which are considered important indicator species for freshwater pollution. Researchers found evidence that microplastics can impair amphibian growth, immune function, and gene expression, with effects varying by species and particle characteristics. The findings raise concerns about the vulnerability of amphibian populations already threatened by habitat loss and other environmental stressors.
Microplastics as an emerging threat to amphibians: Current status and future perspectives
This review summarizes existing research on microplastic contamination in amphibians like frogs and salamanders, finding that over 80% of studied species had accumulated microplastics. The particles persisted in organs, showed toxic and gene-damaging effects, and could transfer through the food chain. Since amphibians are indicators of environmental health, widespread microplastic accumulation in these animals signals broader ecosystem contamination that can ultimately affect human food and water sources.
Same genus, same burden: Microplastic pollution in banded newts
Researchers examined microplastic ingestion in three species of banded newts from freshwater habitats across Turkey and found plastic particles in 29-43% of individuals. PET fibers were the most common type detected, with no significant differences between species despite their different habitats. The consistent contamination levels across all three species suggest that microplastic pollution is widespread in freshwater environments and that these amphibians may serve as useful indicators of water quality.
Distribution of Microplastic in Egypt Wastewater Using Aquatic Insects as Bioindicators
Researchers used aquatic insect larvae as bioindicators to assess microplastic distribution in Egyptian wastewater systems influenced by industrial and human activity. Insects from high-pollution sites accumulated significantly more microplastics, confirming their utility as cost-effective biological indicators for tracking microplastic contamination in freshwater systems.
Microplastic ingestion by tadpoles of pond-breeding amphibians—first results from Central Europe (SW Poland)
This study found microplastics in the guts of tadpoles from five amphibian species collected from eight ponds in southwestern Poland, identifying polyethylene and polypropylene as the most common polymer types. The detection of microplastics in freshwater amphibian larvae in Central European ponds confirms that plastic pollution has reached small, inland water bodies and is affecting early developmental stages of amphibians.
Distribution of microplastics in tadpoles, adults, and habitats of three water frogs of Pelophylax spp.
Researchers examined microplastics in water frogs and their habitats across Turkey, finding that while tadpoles showed almost no microplastic ingestion, 44% of adult frogs had microplastics in their digestive tracts — mostly fibers from synthetic textiles. The findings highlight how microplastic contamination increases with life stage and proximity to human activity, threatening amphibian populations already under environmental stress.
Ecotoxicity of microplastics to freshwater biota: Considering exposure and hazard across trophic levels
This review examines the toxic effects of microplastics on freshwater organisms across multiple levels of the food web, from biofilms and plankton to fish and amphibians. Researchers found evidence of harm in several species, though effects varied widely depending on particle size, type, and concentration. The study highlights that freshwater microplastic toxicity is still poorly understood compared to marine environments and calls for more standardized research.
Microplastic prevalence in anatolian water frogs (Pelophylax spp.)
Researchers found microplastics in the tissues of anatolian water frogs (Pelophylax spp.) collected from freshwater habitats in Turkey, documenting prevalence and characteristics of plastic particles in these amphibians whose populations are already stressed by multiple environmental pressures.
Microplastics in freshwater ecosystems: what we know and what we need to know
This review examines the state of knowledge on microplastic contamination in freshwater ecosystems, which have received far less scientific attention than marine environments despite being major pathways for plastic transport. Researchers found that freshwater microplastic concentrations can be extremely high near urban areas and that organisms from insects to fish readily ingest these particles. The study identifies key research gaps including the need for standardized detection methods and better understanding of how microplastics move through and affect freshwater food webs.
Hazard assessment of microplastics and heavy metals contamination in Levant frogs (Pelophylax bedriagae): A bioindicator in Western Iran
Scientists examined frogs from 16 locations in western Iran and found microplastics and heavy metals in their digestive tracts, confirming these animals are useful indicators of environmental contamination. Fibers were the most common microplastic type found, mainly from polyethylene and polypropylene. The study shows that microplastic pollution has reached freshwater habitats in Iran and is being ingested by amphibians that are part of broader food webs.
Differential effects of microplastic exposure on anuran tadpoles: A still underrated threat to amphibian conservation?
Researchers found that microplastic exposure affects amphibian tadpoles differently depending on the species, with Italian agile frog tadpoles showing reduced survival at high concentrations while green toad tadpoles were more resilient.
Microplastic analysis in urban areas and their impact on quality of life
Researchers reviewed the growing threat of microplastic pollution to biodiversity and human health, focusing on freshwater systems as a key exposure pathway. The study emphasizes the need for standardized identification methods for microplastics in freshwater environments.
Spatiotemporal distribution of microplastics in true frogs (Ranidae:Pelophylax) populations from Türkiye
Researchers examined preserved frog stomach contents from 146 true frogs collected across Turkey and found microplastics in nearly 60% of individuals, with plastic fibers being the most common form. The findings show that frogs — which live both in water and on land — are useful indicators of microplastic contamination across multiple ecosystems, and that exposure has been occurring for decades.
Occurrence and characterization of microplastic content in the digestive system of riverine fishes
Researchers found microplastics in 93.8% of riverine fish examined, with polystyrene, polyethylene, and nylon being the most common polymer types concentrated near urban and industrial areas, and small particles (0.025-1 mm) predominating across species.
Identifying the presence of microplastics in frogs from the largest delta of the world
Researchers found microplastics in 90% of frogs collected from nine species across the Bengal delta, with fibers being the most common type — indicating that amphibians in this major river system are heavily exposed to plastic pollution, which may contribute to their global population decline.
Quality Criteria for the Analysis of Microplastic in Biota Samples: A Critical Review
Ten quality criteria were applied to review recent microplastic ingestion studies in aquatic biota, finding wide variation in methodological rigor including inadequate sample sizes, poor contamination controls, and inconsistent polymer identification methods. The authors propose a standardized quality assessment framework to improve comparability of microplastic ingestion data across studies.
Using the Asian clam as an indicator of microplastic pollution in freshwater ecosystems
Researchers proposed the Asian clam as a bioindicator species for monitoring microplastic pollution in freshwater ecosystems, building on prior findings of high contamination rates in these organisms. Using a widely distributed filter feeder as a sentinel species could help standardize freshwater microplastic monitoring the way mussels are used in marine settings.
Presence of Microplastics in the Food Web of the Largest High-Elevation Lake in North America
Researchers investigated microplastic presence across three trophic levels of the freshwater food web in Lake Tahoe, North America's largest high-elevation lake, sampling water, amphibians, and fish to document microplastic transfer and accumulation through the aquatic food chain.
Euryhaline fish larvae ingest more microplastic particles in seawater than in freshwater
Researchers found that euryhaline fish larvae ingested significantly more microplastic particles in seawater than in freshwater, likely due to physiological differences in drinking rates, with implications for understanding marine fish contamination.
Life on both environment in semi-aquatic frogs: Impact of aquatic microplastic (MP) from MP enrichment to growth, immune function and physiological stress
Researchers exposed juvenile black-spotted pond frogs to different concentrations of microplastics in water to study effects after metamorphosis. They found that microplastics accumulated primarily in the digestive tract and caused reduced growth, increased stress markers, and weakened immune function at higher concentrations. The study suggests that microplastic pollution in freshwater habitats could pose significant health risks to amphibians during vulnerable life stages.
Uptake, accumulation and elimination of polystyrene microspheres in tadpoles of Xenopus tropicalis
Researchers exposed frog tadpoles to polystyrene microspheres and tracked uptake and elimination, finding that tadpoles readily ingested particles that accumulated in the gut and were gradually eliminated, with implications for amphibian exposure in plastic-contaminated ponds.
Uptake and Transfer of Polyamide Microplastics in a Freshwater Mesocosm Study
A freshwater mesocosm study tracked the trophic and ontogenetic transfer of polyamide microplastics through an aquatic food web under near-natural conditions, confirming that particles were transferred between prey and predators at multiple levels. The results demonstrate that microplastic transfer through food webs occurs in realistic community settings, not just isolated laboratory tests.