Aging of microplastics promotes their ingestion by marine zooplankton

Vroom, Renske; Koelmans, Albert A.; Besseling, Ellen; Halsband, Claudia

doi:10.1016/j.envpol.2017.08.088

Cited by 367 publications

(190 citation statements)

References 46 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

182

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…The presence of biofilms may influence the likelihood of microplastic ingestion due to chemical cues exuded by the colonizing organisms. For example, in lab exposures Vroom et al () observed that polystyrene microplastics, primed by immersion in seawater, were ingested by two of three marine zooplankton species tested at a greater rate than unprimed plastics. Savoca et al () hypothesized that the odor of dimethyl sulfide‐related chemicals that accumulated on plastics increased their consumption by sea birds.…”

Section: Fate Of Microplastics In the Oceanmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Global Perspective on Microplastics

Hale¹,

Seeley²,

Guardia³

et al. 2020

JGR Oceans

649

270

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Society has become increasingly reliant on plastics since commercial production began in about 1950. Their versatility, stability, light weight, and low production costs have fueled global demand. Most plastics are initially used and discarded on land. Nonetheless, the amount of microplastics in some oceanic compartments is predicted to double by 2030. To solve this global problem, we must understand plastic composition, physical forms, uses, transport, and fragmentation into microplastics (and nanoplastics). Plastic debris/microplastics arise from land disposal, wastewater treatment, tire wear, paint failure, textile washing, and at-sea losses. Riverine and atmospheric transport, storm water, and disasters facilitate releases. In surface waters plastics/microplastics weather, biofoul, aggregate, and sink, are ingested by organisms and redistributed by currents. Ocean sediments are likely the ultimate destination. Plastics release additives, concentrate environmental contaminants, and serve as substrates for biofilms, including exotic and pathogenic species. Microplastic abundance increases as fragment size decreases, as does the proportion of organisms capable of ingesting them. Particles <20 μm may penetrate cell membranes, exacerbating risks. Exposure can compromise feeding, metabolic processes, reproduction, and behavior. But more investigation is required to draw definitive conclusions. Human ingestion of contaminated seafood and water is a concern. Microplastics indoors present yet uncharacterized risks, magnified by the time we spend inside (>90%) and the abundance of polymeric products therein. Scientific challenges include improving microplastic sampling and characterization approaches, understanding long-term behavior, additive bioavailability, and organismal and ecosystem health risks. Solutions include improving globally based pollution prevention, developing degradable polymers and additives, and reducing consumption/expanding plastic reuse.

show abstract

Section: Fate Of Microplastics In the Oceanmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Global Perspective on Microplastics

Hale¹,

Seeley²,

Guardia³

et al. 2020

JGR Oceans

649

270

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Furthermore, unless microplastic concentrations are too low to be detected, characteristics of different filter feeding species probably affect whether microplastic ingestion is solely a matter of chance of encounters. Several copepoda and bivalves are known to be able to discriminate between edible and non-edible particles, leading to post-ingestive food selection or pausing of feeding when edible to non-edible particle ratios are insufficient (Ayukai, 1987;Brillant & MacDonald, 2000;Donaghay & Small, 1979;Huntley, Barthel, & Star, 1983;Vroom, Koelmans, Besseling, & Halsband, 2017;Wegner et al, 2012). Other species are known to adjust ingestion rates depending on the nutritional value or the size of the food (Koelmans et al, 2013;Wilson, 1973).…”

Section: Particle Size 2015 2100mentioning

confidence: 99%

Quantifying ecological risks of aquatic micro- and nanoplastic

Besseling

Redondo‐Hasselerharm

Foekema

et al. 2018

Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology

Self Cite

374

260

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Diverse effects of nano-and microplastic (NMP) have been demonstrated in the laboratory. We provide a broad review of current knowledge on occurrence, measurement, modeling approaches, fate, exposure, effects, and effect thresholds as regard to microplastics in the aquatic environment. Using this information, we perform a 'proof of concept' risk assessment for NMP, accounting for the diversity of the material. New data is included showing how bioturbation affects exposure, and exposure is evaluated based on literature data and model analyses. We review exposure and effect data and provide a worst case risk characterization, by comparing HC 5 effect thresholds from 'all inclusive' Species Sensitivity Distributions (SSDs) with the highest environmental concentrations reported. HC 5 values show wide confidence intervals yet suggest that sensitive aquatic organisms in near-shore surface waters might be at risk.

show abstract

“…These "camouflaged" plastic particles can be ingested by organisms such as zooplankton (Eich et al 2015;Vroom et al 2017) and even larger organisms. Some laboratory experiments concluded that bioavailability of plastics seems to be enhanced by particles that have been exposed to natural seawater for some time (Bråte et al 2018).…”

Section: Microplastics As a Vector For Pathogensmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, entanglement and ingestion are the most common types of interaction between biota and plastics (Gregory 2009). Fouling of bacteria on plastic particles may promote the ingestion of plastic materials by biota (Zettler et al 2013;Vroom et al 2017). Microplastic ingestion has been described for many taxa of animals including plankton, invertebrates, fish, sea turtles, and marine mammals (Cole et al 2013;Foekema et al 2013;Schuyler et al 2013;Hämer et al 2014;Lusher et al 2015;Scherer et al 2018).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Understanding How Microplastics Affect Marine Biota on the Cellular Level Is Important for Assessing Ecosystem Function: A Review

Prinz

Korez

2019

YOUMARES 9 - The Oceans: Our Research, Our Future

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Plastic has become indispensable for human life. When plastic debris is discarded into waterways, these items can interact with organisms. Of particular concern are microscopic plastic particles (microplastics) which are subject to ingestion by several taxa. This review summarizes the results of cutting-edge research about the interactions between a range of aquatic species and microplastics, including effects on biota physiology and secondary ingestion. Uptake pathways via digestive or ventilatory systems are discussed, including (1) the physical penetration of microplastic particles into cellular structures, (2) leaching of chemical additives or adsorbed persistent organic pollutants (POPs), and (3) consequences of bacterial or viral microbiota contamination associated with microplastic ingestion. Following uptake, a number of individual-level effects have been observed, including reduction of feeding activities, reduced growth and reproduction through cellular modifications, and oxidative stress. Microplastic-associated effects on marine biota have become increasingly investigated with growing concerns regarding human health through trophic transfer. We argue that research on the cellular interactions with microplastics provide an understanding of their impact to the organisms' fitness and, therefore, its ability to sustain their functional role in the ecosystem. The review summarizes information from 236 scientific publications. Of those, only 4.6% extrapolate their research of microplastic intake on individual species to the impact on ecosystem functioning. We emphasize the need for risk evaluation from organismal effects to an ecosystem level to effectively evaluate the effect of microplastic pollution on marine environments. Further studies are encouraged to investigate sublethal effects in the context of environmentally relevant microplastic pollution conditions.

show abstract

Aging of microplastics promotes their ingestion by marine zooplankton

Cited by 367 publications

References 46 publications

A Global Perspective on Microplastics

A Global Perspective on Microplastics

Quantifying ecological risks of aquatic micro- and nanoplastic

Understanding How Microplastics Affect Marine Biota on the Cellular Level Is Important for Assessing Ecosystem Function: A Review

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About