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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Aquatic worms: relevant model organisms to investigate pollution of microplastics throughout the freshwater-marine continuum
ClearMicro(nano)plastics and plastic additives effects in marine annelids: A literature review
This literature review summarized current knowledge on how micro- and nanoplastics and plastic additives accumulate in and affect marine polychaete worms, which are important sediment-dwelling organisms. Researchers compiled evidence from both laboratory and field studies published between 2011 and 2022. The review highlights that these organisms are particularly exposed to plastic pollution in marine sediments and face ecotoxicological risks from both the plastics themselves and the chemical additives they release.
Emerging Marine Nematodes as Model Organisms: Which Species for Which Question?
This review evaluates the potential of marine nematodes as model organisms for studying biological questions related to ecosystem functioning, climate change, ecotoxicology, and biotechnology. Researchers identified several promising species with manageable life cycles and available genomic resources that could be used in laboratory settings. The study highlights their value for investigating environmental stress responses, including exposure to pollutants like microplastics in marine habitats.
Tracking the micro- and nanoplastics in the terrestrial-freshwater food webs. Bivalves as sentinel species
Researchers tracked the transfer of micro- and nanoplastics through an experimental terrestrial-freshwater food chain involving earthworms, freshwater mussels, and predatory fish. The study found evidence of trophic transfer of plastic particles across species, with bivalves serving as effective sentinel organisms for monitoring plastic contamination in freshwater ecosystems.
Hediste diversicolor as a biological model for the study of the effects of nanoplastics
Researchers used the marine worm Hediste diversicolor to study the effects of nanoplastics in sediment environments. The worm accumulated nanoplastics and showed biological responses, suggesting these tiny particles can harm benthic invertebrates that play key roles in sediment health.
Species-specific effects of long-term microplastic exposure on the population growth of nematodes, with a focus on microplastic ingestion
Scientists conducted long-term microplastic exposure experiments on freshwater nematode species and found species-specific effects on population growth, with ingestion rates and harm varying substantially across species despite identical exposure conditions.
Microplastics and earthworms in soils: A case study on translocation, toxicity and fate
This conference abstract presents research on how earthworms in agricultural soils interact with microplastics, examining whether worms translocate particles deeper into soil, experience toxic effects, and alter the fate of microplastic contamination. Earthworms are key soil engineers, and their exposure to microplastics could have cascading effects on soil health.
Effects of microplastics on survival, reproduction, and the microbiome of the freshwater oligochaete Tubifex tubifex
The freshwater oligochaete Tubifex tubifex was exposed to 6 µm and 45 µm polystyrene microbeads and 100 µm PET microfibers, with effects on survival, reproduction, and gut microbiome assessed. Fibers had greater negative effects on reproduction than microbeads, and all MP types altered the worm microbiome composition.
Are Fragrance Encapsulates Taken Up by Aquatic and Terrestrial Invertebrate Species?
The uptake of fragrance encapsulates by aquatic invertebrates and earthworms was investigated, finding that these micron-sized polymer capsules used in laundry products can be ingested by freshwater and soil organisms, qualifying them as microplastics and raising questions about their ecological fate after release through washing.
Investigations into the Roles of Organisms on Environmental Plastic Pollution
This thesis investigated the roles of organisms in environmental plastic pollution, examining how marine and freshwater animals ingest microplastics and how they may transfer them through food webs. The work contributes to understanding the ecological consequences of plastic contamination in aquatic ecosystems.
The Effect of Microplastic on the Uptake of Chemicals by the Lugworm Arenicola marina (L.) under Environmentally Relevant Exposure Conditions
Researchers used the lugworm Arenicola marina to test whether microplastics affect the uptake of co-occurring chemicals, finding that microplastics altered the bioavailability of chemicals and modified their uptake and distribution in worm tissues.
Microplastic-Earthworm Interactions: A Critical Review
This critical review examines how microplastics from diverse plastic waste categories accumulate in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems and interact with earthworms, a key soil organism. The authors synthesize evidence on the deleterious effects of increasing microplastic concentrations on soil properties, microbiota, and earthworm physiology.
Fate and effects of an environmentally relevant mixture of microplastics in simple freshwater microcosms
Researchers tested how a realistic mixture of different microplastic types affects freshwater invertebrates in indoor ecosystems over 28 days. The study found that worms and snails consumed microplastics in sizes related to their mouth dimensions, and while the plastics settled and moved through the water in predictable patterns, no significant harmful effects on the animals were observed at the concentrations tested.
The potential for microplastics to cause harm in the marine environment
This thesis assessed the potential for microplastics to harm marine organisms, focusing on benthic polychaete worms that live in and around contaminated sediments. The research investigated both the physical toxicity from ingested plastic particles and the chemical toxicity from pollutants sorbed onto microplastic surfaces, where concentrations of these contaminants can be much higher than in surrounding seawater.
A Comprehensive Review on Microplastic Pollution in Aquatic Ecosystems and Their Effects on Aquatic Biota
This comprehensive review examines microplastic pollution across freshwater and marine ecosystems and its effects on aquatic organisms. Researchers found that microplastics are abundant in both environments and that nearly all studies reviewed documented uptake by organisms along with alterations in biochemical parameters. The evidence indicates that microplastic contamination is becoming an increasingly serious environmental and health concern for aquatic life.
Earthworms on a microplastics diet
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.
Isolation of Microplastics from Freshwater Macroinvertebrates in the Danube River
Researchers isolated microplastics from three freshwater species — mollusks, worms, and midge larvae — collected from the Danube River during a major scientific survey. Using different organism types as biological monitors showed that microplastic contamination is widespread in the river's aquatic ecosystem.
Microplastics in aquatic environments: Occurrence, accumulation, and biological effects
This review compiled evidence on microplastic occurrence, accumulation, and biological effects in global aquatic environments, covering uptake by organisms across trophic levels and the role of microplastics as vectors for persistent organic pollutants. The authors highlight concentration-dependent toxicity and the need for ecologically relevant exposure scenarios in laboratory studies.
The impacts of microplastic ingestion on marine polychaete worms
This thesis investigated how polychaete worms (common bottom-dwelling marine animals) ingest and are affected by microplastics across estuaries in South Devon, UK. Microplastics were found to cause measurable harm to these organisms, which play important roles in marine sediment ecosystems.
Size-dependent vector effects of microplastics on bioaccumulation of hydrophobic organic contaminants in earthworm: A dual-dosing study
Researchers developed a dual-dosing method to directly measure how microplastics act as carriers for hydrophobic organic contaminants in earthworms. The study found that smaller microplastic particles had greater vector effects, increasing bioaccumulation of pollutants, and that dermal uptake played a significant role in contaminant transfer from microplastics to organisms.
Earthworms Exposed to Polyethylene and Biodegradable Microplastics in Soil: Microplastic Characterization and Microbial Community Analysis
Researchers exposed earthworms to biodegradable and conventional polyethylene microplastics in natural soil and found that worms ingested both types. The biodegradable plastic showed signs of partial breakdown in the earthworm gut, while conventional polyethylene remained unchanged. Although microplastics did not significantly alter the soil or gut microbiome in this study, the results confirm that earthworms transport microplastics through soil ecosystems.
Ingestion of Microplastics by Freshwater Tubifex Worms
This study found that Tubifex worms living in the sediments of an urban waterway had ingested microplastic particles, providing one of the first field-based (rather than lab-based) demonstrations of microplastic ingestion by freshwater invertebrates. The finding suggests that sediment-dwelling organisms are exposed to microplastics in real-world polluted environments.
Bioindicators selection in the strategies for monitoring microplastic pollution
Researchers reviewed strategies for selecting the best 'sentinel' species — from mussels to earthworms — to serve as biological indicators of microplastic and nanoplastic pollution in both aquatic and land environments. Choosing the right species based on behavior, habitat, and exposure pathways is essential for building consistent, comparable monitoring programs that can track plastic pollution over time.
Toxic effects of polyethylene microplastics on Allonais inaequalis, Chironomus sancticaroli and Daphnia magna under conventional and stressful exposures
Lab experiments showed that polyethylene microplastics caused toxic effects in three freshwater invertebrates — a worm, a midge larva, and a water flea — under both standard and stressful conditions. The results indicate microplastics pose a real threat to freshwater biodiversity across different aquatic species.
Using Earthworm (Aporrectodea caliginosa) as Vital Soil Pollution Bio-indicator for Microplastic Toxicity
Researchers exposed earthworms (Aporrectodea caliginosa) to three types of microplastics—polyester, polyacrylic, and polyethylene—found commonly in Egypt to assess toxicity over five weeks. Results showed dose-dependent declines in earthworm survival and morphological damage, with polyacrylic particles causing the greatest harm.