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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Trophic transfer of nanoplastics reduces larval survival of marine fish more than waterborne exposure
ClearTrophic transfer of nanoplastics reduces larval survival of marine fish more than waterborne exposure
This study compared direct waterborne exposure versus trophic transfer of micro- and nanoplastics on marine fish larvae, finding that trophic transfer caused significantly higher larval mortality. The results suggest that dietary uptake through the food web is a more dangerous exposure route than direct water contact for early-stage fish.
Concurrent water- and foodborne exposure to microplastics leads to differential microplastic ingestion and neurotoxic effects in zebrafish
Researchers compared how zebrafish are affected by microplastics ingested directly from water versus through their food chain. They found that the route of exposure made a significant difference, with food-chain transfer leading to different patterns of microplastic accumulation and more pronounced neurotoxic effects than waterborne exposure alone. The study highlights that trophic transfer is an important but often overlooked pathway for microplastic exposure in aquatic organisms.
Trophic transfer of nanoplastics through a microalgae–crustacean–small yellow croaker food chain: Inhibition of digestive enzyme activity in fish
Researchers tracked how nanoplastics move through a marine food chain from microalgae to crustaceans to fish, demonstrating that plastic particles transfer upward through feeding relationships. The nanoplastics accumulated at each level and ultimately inhibited digestive enzyme activity in the fish. The study suggests that nanoplastics could eventually reach humans through seafood consumption via this same trophic transfer process.
Trophic transfer of microplastics in an estuarine food chain and the effects of a sorbed legacy pollutant
Researchers investigated microplastic trophic transfer using a model estuarine food chain of tintinnids (single-celled organisms) and larval silversides fish. They found that fish ingested significantly more microplastics through contaminated prey than through direct exposure, and larvae that consumed DDT-treated microspheres showed increased feeding on contaminated prey. Larvae exposed to microplastics had significantly lower body weight after 16 days, demonstrating that trophic transfer is a meaningful route of microplastic exposure with measurable harmful effects.
Trophic transfer increases the exposure to microplastics in littoral predators
Researchers studied how microplastics move through Baltic Sea food chains from zooplankton to shrimp to prawns in laboratory experiments. They found that predators accumulated microplastics both from the water directly and by eating contaminated prey, with trophic transfer significantly increasing overall exposure. The study suggests that animals higher up the food chain face compounded microplastic exposure from multiple sources.
Sub-acute exposure to nanoplastics via two-chain trophic transfer: From brine shrimp Artemia franciscana to small yellow croaker Larimichthys polyactis
Researchers studied the trophic transfer of nanoplastics from brine shrimp to small yellow croaker fish over an eight-day feeding experiment. The fish exposed to nanoplastics through their prey showed inhibited growth, severe liver damage, and impaired swimming ability. The study demonstrates that nanoplastics can accumulate through marine food chains and cause measurable harm to predator species.
Trophic transfer of microplastics from mysids to fish greatly exceeds direct ingestion from the water column
This study compared how fish take in microplastics directly from water versus through eating contaminated prey. Researchers found that fish consumed far more microplastics by eating prey organisms that had already ingested plastic particles than by filtering them from the water, highlighting that the food chain is a major route of microplastic exposure for predators.
Microplastic vector effects: are fish at risk when exposed via the trophic chain?
Researchers exposed three-spined sticklebacks to polyethylene microplastics via food chain transfer (prey ingestion) for one month and measured biochemical and molecular effects. While the microplastics were transferred through the trophic chain, chemical toxicity was not amplified, suggesting that trophic transfer alone may not substantially increase the chemical risk from microplastics in this species.
The significance of trophic transfer of microplastics in the accumulation of plastic additives in fish: An experimental study using brominated flame retardants and UV stabilizers
Researchers found that trophic transfer through food is a more significant route than direct water exposure for fish accumulation of plastic-derived chemicals, including brominated flame retardants and UV stabilizers associated with microplastics.
Micro-Nano Plastics in Aquatic Environments: Associated Health Impacts and Mitigation Strategies
This review examines how micro- and nanoplastics in aquatic environments are biologically transferred up the food chain, covering the factors that influence particle bioavailability, accumulation in organisms, and trophic transfer — with implications for both aquatic ecosystem health and human dietary exposure.
Infiltration of freshwater food chain by nanoplastics: An examination of trophic transfer and biological impact
Researchers used fluorescent nanoplastics to track how these particles move through a freshwater food chain from algae to water fleas. They found that nanoplastics accumulated more in water fleas through the food chain than through direct water exposure, with positively charged particles infiltrating more readily. The study suggests that foodborne nanoplastic exposure may be a more significant pathway for contamination in aquatic ecosystems than waterborne exposure alone.
Trophic transfer and individual impact of nano-sized polystyrene in a four-species freshwater food chain
Researchers traced nano-sized polystyrene plastics through a four-species freshwater food chain — from algae to water fleas to two fish species — finding that nanoplastics transferred at each level and caused reduced activity, liver damage in fish, and penetration into fish embryos. The results highlight the broad ecological and health risks of nanoplastics moving up through aquatic food webs.
Trophic Transfer of Differentially Hydrophobic Nanoplastics along Marine Food Chains and Related Toxicity
Researchers studied how surface hydrophobicity affects the movement of nanoplastics through a marine food chain from algae to mysids to fish. They found that more hydrophobic nanoplastics accumulated at significantly higher levels in organisms at each stage of the food chain, suggesting that surface properties play an important role in determining how nanoplastics bioaccumulate in marine ecosystems.
Important ecological processes are affected by the accumulation and trophic transfer of nanoplastics in a freshwater periphyton-grazer food chain
Researchers found that nanoplastics bioaccumulate and transfer trophically in a freshwater periphyton-grazer food chain, affecting fundamental ecological processes and highlighting significant gaps in our understanding of nanoplastic risks in freshwater ecosystems.
Trophic transfer of micro- and nanoplastics and toxicity induced by long-term exposure of nanoplastics along the rotifer (Brachionus plicatilis)-marine medaka (Oryzias melastigma) food chain
In a food chain study, researchers found that the smallest nanoplastics (70 nm) accumulated in fish at nearly double the rate of larger microplastics when passed through a prey organism first. Long-term exposure through the food chain caused liver inflammation, disrupted fat and energy metabolism, and impaired reproduction in the fish. This shows how tiny plastics can build up and cause harm as they move through the food web, which is relevant to humans who eat seafood.
Effect of alternative natural diet on microplastic ingestion, functional responses and trophic transfer in a tri-trophic coastal pelagic food web
Researchers studied how microplastics move through a three-level marine food chain, from zooplankton prey to planktivorous fish, and how the availability of natural food affects microplastic ingestion. When natural food was scarce, organisms consumed more microplastics, and the particles transferred efficiently up the food chain. This study demonstrates that microplastics in the ocean can accumulate through the food web and reach fish species that humans commonly eat.
Ingestion and transfer of microplastics in the planktonic food web
Researchers demonstrated that microplastics are ingested and transferred through a planktonic food web, with particles passing from primary producers to zooplankton grazers and on to predatory plankton, establishing trophic transfer as a real pathway for microplastic movement through marine food chains.
Microplastics and sorbed contaminants – Trophic exposure in fish sensitive early life stages
Zebrafish and marine medaka larvae fed on microplastic-laden prey organisms accumulated contaminants like benzo[a]pyrene but did not show significant microplastic accumulation or tissue translocation, as particles were rapidly egested. The study shows that even tiny prey organisms can transfer chemical pollutants to fish larvae via the trophic chain.
Trophic transfer of microplastics and mixed contaminants in the marine food web and implications for human health
This review examines how microplastics act as vectors for chemical contaminants through marine food webs, discussing the factors influencing ingestion, the biological impacts of sorbed chemicals, and evidence for trophic transfer across multiple trophic levels. Researchers highlight that existing lab studies use unrealistically high concentrations and that no study has yet tracked microplastic-contaminant transfer from seafood to humans.
The transfer and resulting negative effects of nano- and micro-plastics through the aquatic trophic web—A discreet threat to human health
Researchers reviewed how micro- and nanoplastics move through aquatic food webs — from small organisms like plankton up through fish to humans — noting that while hundreds of species are known to ingest plastic particles, it remains difficult to distinguish particles eaten directly from those consumed indirectly through prey. The review highlights a critical gap in understanding how much plastic actually transfers between trophic levels and what that means for human health risks from seafood consumption.
Trophic transfer and bioaccumulation of nanoplastics in Coryphaena hippurus (mahi-mahi) and effect of depuration
Researchers studied how polystyrene nanoplastics transfer through the food chain to mahi-mahi fish larvae by first exposing rotifers to the particles and then feeding them to the larvae. Significant nanoplastic transfer and accumulation were observed, primarily in the gut, with some particles translocating to areas containing vital organs like the heart and liver. A depuration study showed that while larvae could excrete substantial amounts, notable quantities remained retained, and intestinal tissue damage was observed.
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.
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.
Trophic transference of microplastics under a low exposure scenario: Insights on the likelihood of particle cascading along marine food-webs
Researchers tested whether microplastics could transfer from prey to predators under a realistic low-exposure scenario, using mussels as prey and crabs and puffer fish as predators. They found that microplastics present only in mussel hemolymph did transfer to predators upon consumption, but the particles did not persist in predator tissues after 10 days. The findings suggest that under low-exposure conditions, trophic transfer of microplastics may occur but without significant long-term accumulation in predator species.