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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to The impacts of microplastic ingestion on marine polychaete worms
ClearThe 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.
Microplastic accumulation by tube-dwelling, suspension feeding polychaetes from the sediment surface: A case study from the Norwegian Continental Shelf
This study found microplastics in the sediment and tube-dwelling polychaete worms on the Norwegian Continental Shelf, including in areas near oil and gas installations and in remote locations. Even offshore industrial areas in the Arctic Ocean contain microplastics in their sediments, with polychaetes actively incorporating these particles through filter feeding.
Ingestion of microplastics by the estuarine polychaete, Namalycastis sp. in the Setiu Wetlands, Malaysia
This study confirmed microplastic ingestion by the deposit-feeding polychaete Namalycastis sp. in Setiu Wetlands, Malaysia, with fibers and fragments detected in worms across six sampling stations in the estuary.
Micro(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.
Field evidence for microplastic interactions in marine benthic invertebrates
Field evidence was gathered for microplastic interactions with two polychaete species of different feeding strategies in the Mediterranean benthos, finding that both sessile filter feeders and mobile deposit feeders ingested and accumulated microplastics from benthic environments.
Changes in particle mixing by benthic infauna induced by microplastics: implications for nitrogen cycling in marine sediments
Researchers found that increasing polypropylene microplastic concentrations impaired deep-burrowing behaviour of the marine worm Macroclymenella stewartensis but not the bivalve Macomona liliana, with microplastics also modifying interspecific relationships and thereby disrupting particle mixing and nutrient cycling processes in marine sediments.
Ingestion of microplastics by free-living marine nematodes, especially Enoplolaimus spp., in Mallipo Beach, South Korea
Scientists found that marine nematodes—tiny worms living in beach sediments in South Korea—ingested microplastics, with some species taking up more than others. This shows microplastics are entering the base of marine food webs through sediment-dwelling organisms, potentially affecting entire ecosystems.
Microplastics in Marine Benthic Filter Feeder: a Review on the Occurrence, Routes of Ingestion, Method of Extraction and Effects to the Ecosystem
This review examined microplastic occurrence, ingestion routes, extraction methods, and ecological effects in marine benthic filter feeders including bivalves, sponges, and tube worms. Filter feeders are particularly vulnerable to microplastic ingestion because they process large volumes of water. Contamination of benthic filter feeders has implications for food safety and marine ecosystem function.
Abundance and distribution of small microplastics (≤ 3 μm) in sediments and seaworms from the Southern Mediterranean coasts and characterisation of their potential harmful effects.
Researchers quantified very small microplastics (≤3 µm) in sediment and marine worms from multiple sites along the southern Mediterranean coast and described their morphological and chemical characteristics, finding widespread contamination at sizes typically overlooked by standard methods.
Effects of Commercially Available Plastics on Estuarine Sediment Dweller Polychaeta Hediste diversicolor
Researchers exposed the marine worm Hediste diversicolor to commercially available polypropylene and polyethylene terephthalate microplastics for up to 28 days and assessed behavioral and biochemical responses. They found that the worms did not show behavioral changes or metabolize the plastics, though some enzyme activity was affected. The study suggests that these common types of microplastics do not cause major adverse effects in this sediment-dwelling species at the tested concentrations.
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.
Formation of microplastics by polychaetes (Marphysa sanguinea) inhabiting expanded polystyrene marine debris
Researchers found that polychaete worms (Marphysa sanguinea) inhabiting expanded polystyrene marine debris actively fragment the material, with lab experiments showing a single individual can produce hundreds of thousands of EPS microplastic particles per year. The study reveals marine invertebrates as a previously underappreciated biological driver of microplastic generation from larger plastic debris.
Mussels facilitate the sinking of microplastics to bottom sediments and their subsequent uptake by detritus-feeders
This laboratory study found that filter-feeding mussels accelerate the sinking of microplastics from the water surface to the seafloor through their fecal pellets, and that these microplastic-containing pellets are subsequently ingested by bottom-feeding polychaete worms. This two-step biological transfer explains how microplastics from surface waters reach and accumulate in benthic organisms and sediments.
Microplastics Can Inhibit the Mucus Production andRegenerative Capability of the Marine Polychaete Neanthesacuminata
Researchers investigated how microplastic exposure affects mucus production and regenerative capability in the marine polychaete Neanthes acuminata, a sediment-dwelling organism with critical ecosystem functions. They found that microplastics inhibited mucus secretion and reduced the worm's ability to regenerate tissue, demonstrating physiological impairment in an ecologically important invertebrate group.
Oil Droplet Capture and Ingestion by Filter-Feeding Sabellid and Serpulid Polychaetes
Not relevant to microplastics — this study investigates how marine tube-worm filter feeders capture and ingest oil droplets, characterizing the mechanics of oil uptake rather than plastic particle ingestion.
Bioturbation of microplastics in the coastal zone: The role of the lugworm, Arenicola marina
Researchers compared microplastic characteristics in casts of the lugworm Arenicola marina with those in intertidal surface and subsurface sediments, finding little difference in elemental content consistent with non-selective feeding, while documenting the worm's role in redistributing microplastics through bioturbation to depths of approximately 20 cm. The study advances understanding of how conveyor-belt feeding invertebrates influence microplastic cycling in coastal sediment reservoirs.
Micro- and mesoplastics in the northern Baltic Sea : their fate in the seafloor and effects on benthic fauna
This dissertation examined micro- and mesoplastics in the northern Baltic Sea seafloor and tested their effects on bottom-dwelling organisms. Microplastics accumulated in fine-grained seafloor sediments, and exposure experiments showed negative effects on benthic invertebrates at realistic concentrations. The findings contribute to understanding how plastic pollution is affecting benthic ecosystems in a major semi-enclosed sea with significant human fishing and tourism activity.
Microplastics in invertebrates on soft shores in Hong Kong: Influence of habitat, taxa and feeding mode
Researchers surveyed microplastic occurrence in 38 invertebrate species across 18 mudflats and sandy beaches in Hong Kong, finding that feeding mode and habitat type were stronger predictors of microplastic ingestion than taxonomic group, with suspension feeders in mudflat environments showing the highest contamination. The study provides a broad baseline for microplastic uptake across coastal invertebrate communities.
Aquatic worms: relevant model organisms to investigate pollution of microplastics throughout the freshwater-marine continuum
This review examined the use of aquatic worms (oligochaetes and polychaetes) as model organisms for studying the environmental fate and biological impacts of micro- and nanoplastics throughout their life cycles in freshwater and marine environments.
Microplastic contamination is widespread across invertebrate taxa frequently consumed by terrestrial vertebrates
Researchers conducted a large-scale survey of microplastic contamination across invertebrate species at 51 sites in England, sampling six taxonomic groups and four trophic levels. Plastic particles were found in nearly 12% of samples across all groups tested, with earthworms and snails showing the highest contamination rates, indicating that microplastic pollution is widespread throughout terrestrial food webs regardless of dietary habits.
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.
Microplastics abundance in marine sediments and stomach contents of benthic organisms
Researchers quantified microplastic abundance in marine sediments and benthic organism stomachs across the Eastern South Pacific Ocean and Southern Caribbean Sea, finding finer sediments retained more microplastics, blue and red fibers under 2 mm dominated both regions, and polychaetes were the primary consumers — making them useful bioindicators of microplastic pollution.
Microplastics Can Inhibit the Mucus Production and Regenerative Capability of the Marine Polychaete Neanthes acuminata
Researchers investigated how microplastic exposure affects mucus production and regenerative capability of the marine polychaete Neanthes acuminata, a sediment-dwelling species critical to bioturbation and organic decomposition in marine ecosystems, finding significant impairment of these key physiological functions.
Polystyrene-degrading bacteria in the gut microbiome of marine benthic polychaetes support enhanced digestion of plastic fragments
Researchers found that marine worms called clamworms harbor gut bacteria capable of breaking down polystyrene foam, but this digestion also generates microplastics averaging 0.6 mm in diameter, meaning these worms both degrade and produce microplastics — complicating their role in marine plastic pollution.