Article
Environmental Sciences
Joao Vitor Fonseca da Silva, Fernando Miranda Lansac-Toha, Bianca Trevizan Segovia, Felipe Emiliano Amadeo, Louizi de Souza Magalhaes Braghin, Luiz Felipe Machado Velho, Hugo Sarmento, Claudia Costa Bonecker
Summary: The increasing amount of plastic particles in continental aquatic environments has caught the attention of researchers worldwide. This study investigates the effects of microplastic particles of different sizes on the planktonic trophic chain and finds that their presence significantly affects the food web, with smaller particles having a higher consumption effect.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Hoda Amiri, Mohammad Hoseini, Sajjad Abbasi, Mohammad Malakootian, Majid Hashemi, Neamatollah Jaafarzadeh, Andrew Turner
Summary: Microplastics (MPs) are widespread contaminants and their impact on human health is still uncertain but of increasing interest in the scientific community. This study investigated MP contamination in soils from Hormoz Island, Iran and spices made from these soils. Fibres of various types of plastics were detected in the soils and composite spice, with the highest concentration found in the spice (0.1 MP g(-1)). Geophagy, the ingestion of contaminated soil and dirt, could be a significant means of MP exposure for humans and animals.
JOURNAL OF FOOD COMPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
(2022)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Leonardo Lopes Costa, Igor David da Costa, Ariane da Silva Oliveira, Ilana Rosental Zalmon
Summary: Sandy beaches are ideal models for comparative studies on MP ingestion because they are both sources and sinks of plastics, while accommodating multiple species with different traits. The concentration and richness of suspected microplastics (SMP) in beach macroinvertebrates and fishes vary according to urbanization, feeding modes, and habitat. Our results suggest that deposit-feeder macroinvertebrates from the supralittoral can be used as indicators of microplastic pollution in sandy beaches.
ESTUARINE COASTAL AND SHELF SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ben Parker, Demetra Andreou, Katsiaryna Pabortsava, Magdalena Barrow, Iain D. Green, J. Robert Britton
Summary: This study investigated the levels of microplastics in the macroinvertebrate and fish community of the Dorset Stour river in SW England and tested the relationship between microplastic counts and ecological and morphological characteristics. The results showed that microplastic loadings were consistent within the communities but could not be predicted from any of their characteristics.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ulgen Aytan, F. Basak Esensoy, Yasemen Senturk
Summary: For the first time, the ingestion and egestion of microplastics by copepods in the Black Sea was evaluated, along with the composition and concentration of microplastics in the water column. The study found that copepods in the Black Sea are contaminated by microplastics, which poses risks to their critical functions in the ecosystem. Additionally, copepods may act as vectors for the transfer of microplastics and associated toxic chemicals to higher trophic levels, including humans.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Stefanie Reinold, Alicia Herrera, Francesco Saliu, Carlos Hernandez-Gonzalez, Ico Martinez, Marina Lasagni, May Gomez
Summary: The presence of microplastics in seafood, particularly in farmed fish, is a concerning issue as it poses potential risks to human health. A study conducted in Tenerife, Spain found that 65% of the examined fish cultivated in coastal waters contained microplastics in their gastrointestinal tracts. Fibres and fragments were the predominant shapes of microplastics detected, with varying compositions.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
L. Rowenczyk, H. Cai, B. Nguyen, M. Sirois, M-C Cote-Laurin, N. Toupoint, A. Ismail, N. Tufenkji
Summary: Despite the importance of freshwaters to human health, the presence and fate of microplastics in marine estuaries have not been extensively studied. This research focused on the Saint-Lawrence River in Canada, analyzing surface water and marine bivalve samples along the river-to-sea continuum. The concentration of larger microplastics was higher in downstream areas compared to upstream areas, while the trend for smaller microplastics was less clear. Microplastics were also found in the digestive systems of bivalves, indicating their presence in the water column. This study provides valuable data on the fate of microplastics in a river-to-sea continuum.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Michaela E. Miller, Cherie A. Motti, Mark Hamann, Frederieke J. Kroon
Summary: This study examined the ecological risk of microplastics (MPs) in coral reef ecosystems by comparing MP contamination in a simple food web with that in the surrounding environment. Samples were collected from different trophic levels and environmental matrices, and MPs were found to bioconcentrate but not biomagnify. The complexity of marine food webs and the heterogeneity of MPs in the environment highlight the importance of trophic transfer as a pathway of exposure.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Zara L. R. Botterell, Melanie Bergmann, Nicole Hildebrandt, Thomas Krumpen, Michael Steinke, Richard C. Thompson, Penelope K. Lindeque
Summary: Research has shown that Arctic zooplankton have ingested microplastics, with the smaller-sized microplastics being selected for by the zooplankton. The ingestion of high concentrations of microplastics could have negative effects on the growth, development, and fecundity of the zooplankton. As global plastic consumption increases and climate change reduces sea ice cover, the Arctic could be exposed to further plastic pollution, putting additional strain on this fragile ecosystem.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Garth A. Covernton, Hailey L. Davies, Kieran D. Cox, Rana El-Sabaawi, Francis Juanes, Sarah E. Dudas, John F. Dower
Summary: Researchers investigated the ingestion of microplastic particles (MPs) in marine and freshwater fishes to identify factors influencing MPs intake. They found that MPs concentration in fish digestive tracts did not increase with trophic level or body size, indicating no biomagnification occurred. However, larger fish were more likely to contain MPs, and clupeids showed higher MPs concentrations compared to other taxonomic families. Standardized methodologies are crucial for accurate comparisons among studies.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2021)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Silvia Galafassi, Claudia Campanale, Carmine Massarelli, Vito Felice Uricchio, Pietro Volta
Summary: Studies have shown that microplastics ingestion by wild freshwater fish increases with urbanization, although a direct correlation with surrounding water microplastics concentration has not been identified. Microplastics were found in all published articles, with more than 50% of specimens analyzed in one study showing microplastics presence. Additionally, microplastics were found in the gills of fish, and there is evidence that they can translocate to different tissues of the organism.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Federico De Pascalis, Beatrice De Felice, Marco Parolini, Danilo Pisu, David Pala, Diego Antonioli, Elena Perin, Valentina Gianotti, Luca Ilahiane, Giulia Masoero, Lorenzo Serra, Diego Rubolini, Jacopo G. Cecere
Summary: The study assessed the ingestion of microplastics in the Mediterranean storm petrel and found that 45% of individuals had regurgitates containing microplastics. The results highlight the species' sensitivity to plastic pollution and suggest that regurgitates can be used to investigate spatio-temporal patterns of microplastic exposure in planktonic foragers.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Anne K. S. Justino, Veronique Lenoble, Latifa Pelage, Guilherme V. B. Ferreira, Rafaela Passarone, Thierry Fredou, Flavia Lucena Fredou
Summary: This study explores the ingestion of microplastics by marine organisms in a tropical estuarine environment, revealing different contamination levels based on feeding strategies. Predators were found to be the most contaminated species, with fibers being the most common type of microplastics ingested. The high contamination levels in the estuarine complex pose potential risks to human health, as the microplastics likely accumulate in sediment and water.
REGIONAL STUDIES IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Beatriz Rios-Fuster, Pablo Arechavala-Lopez, Karlos Garcia-Marcos, Carme Alomar, Montserrat Compa, Elvira Alvarez, Maria Micaela Julia, Antonia Solomando Marti, Antoni Sureda, Salud Deudero
Summary: Global research has revealed the impact of microplastics on marine organisms. This study found that weathered microplastics induced a stronger physiological response in juvenile Sparus aurata compared to virgin microplastics, with the specific physiological effects varying depending on the tissue analyzed.
AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
S. R. Kahane-Rapport, M. F. Czapanskiy, J. A. Fahlbusch, A. S. Friedlaender, J. Calambokidis, E. L. Hazen, J. A. Goldbogen, M. S. Savoca
Summary: This study combines microplastic data and foraging measurements on whales to quantify plastic ingestion rates and exposure risk in filter-feeding megafauna. Baleen whales predominantly feed at depths coinciding with high microplastic concentrations, with almost all microplastic ingestion occurring through trophic transfer. Fish-feeding whales are less exposed to microplastic ingestion compared to krill-feeding whales.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Luis M. Bolanos, Lee Karp-Boss, Chang Jae Choi, Alexandra Z. Worden, Jason R. Graff, Nils Haentjens, Alison P. Chase, Alice Della Penna, Peter Gaube, Francoise Morison, Susanne Menden-Deuer, Toby K. Westberry, Robert T. O'Malley, Emmanuel Boss, Michael J. Behrenfeld, Stephen J. Giovannoni
Article
Limnology
Noah L. Walcutt, Benjamin Knorlein, Ivona Cetinic, Zrinka Ljubesic, Suncica Bosak, Tom Sgouros, Amanda L. Montalbano, Aimee Neeley, Susanne Menden-Deuer, Melissa M. Omand
LIMNOLOGY AND OCEANOGRAPHY-METHODS
(2020)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Francoise Morison, James Joseph Pierson, Andreas Oikonomou, Susanne Menden-Deuer
Article
Limnology
Jacob Susanne Strock, S. Menden-Deuer
Summary: This study investigated the impact of temperature fluctuations on the growth acclimation of marine phytoplankton, revealing that the magnitude of temperature shifts affected growth rates, while the direction did not. Thermal variability may drive intraspecific variation, and ignoring acclimation effects could lead to systematic underestimation or overestimation of temperature-dependent primary production.
LIMNOLOGY AND OCEANOGRAPHY
(2021)
Article
Limnology
Pierre Marrec, Heather McNair, Gayantonia Franze, Francoise Morison, Jacob P. Strock, Susanne Menden-Deuer
Summary: This study analyzed data from winter and summer cruises as part of the Northeast U.S. Shelf Long-Term Ecological Research program and found that coastal waters had higher phytoplankton biomass dominated by large cells in winter and small cells in summer. Phytoplankton growth rates were correlated with temperature, light availability, and community size-structure, while grazing rates were not correlated with total chlorophyll a, indicating other biological drivers at play in predator-prey interactions at the first trophic level.
LIMNOLOGY AND OCEANOGRAPHY
(2021)
Letter
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mary K. Kane, Angus Atkinson, Susanne Menden-Deuer
Article
Oceanography
Pierre Marrec, Andria Miller, Lucie Maranda, Susanne Menden-Deuer
Summary: The pandemic had a significant impact on oceanographic intern programs, leading to remote alternatives. Despite the preference for in-person instruction, participants were pleased to continue essential oceanographic training remotely.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Heather Mcnair, Courtney Nicole Hammond, Susanne Menden-Deuer
Summary: In this study, the relationship between phytoplankton cell volume and carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) content was examined using three-dimensional (3D) confocal images. It was found that the volume measurement method and growth conditions had minimal impact on these relationships. Additionally, variation in cellular N and C could range from 30-40% due to different growth conditions.
JOURNAL OF PLANKTON RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Limnology
Heather M. McNair, Francoise Morison, Jason R. Graff, Tatiana A. Rynearson, Susanne Menden-Deuer
Summary: Microzooplankton grazing has a significant impact on phytoplankton growth and abundance, leading to a decrease in phytoplankton quantity balanced by an increase in phytoplankton cell size. The grazing rate of microzooplankton greatly affects the growth rate of phytoplankton, aligning closely with the observed dynamics of phytoplankton biomass.
LIMNOLOGY AND OCEANOGRAPHY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Susanne Menden-Deuer, Julie Rowlett, Medet Nursultanov, Sinead Collins, Tatiana Rynearson
Summary: Through investigating a non-cooperative game, a unifying explanation for the tremendous phenotypic heterogeneity and coexistence of many marine microbe species has been discovered. Equilibrium strategies identified in the game allow for an unlimited number of species to coexist while competing based on maximal phenotypic heterogeneity.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Susanne Menden-Deuer, Wayne Homer Slade, Heidi Dierssen
Summary: Recent research has provided increasing insight into ocean ecosystem functions and predictive ability, but some key processes lack instrumentation for quantification. Collaborative research between instrument manufacturers and researchers is needed to address these knowledge gaps through high risk, high rewards research.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Limnology
Stephanie Anderson, Gayantonia Franze, Joshua D. Kling, Paul Wilburn, Colin T. Kremer, Susanne Menden-Deuer, Elena Litchman, David A. Hutchins, Tatiana A. Rynearson
Summary: The interplay between temperature and nutrient availability can alter the growth and composition of phytoplankton communities, with changes in temperature amplifying or exacerbating the nutrient effect. This has implications for higher trophic levels and carbon flux.
LIMNOLOGY AND OCEANOGRAPHY
(2022)
Article
Limnology
Gayantonia Franze, Stephanie Anderson, Joshua D. Kling, Paul Wilburn, David A. Hutchins, Elena Litchman, Tatiana A. Rynearson, Susanne Menden-Deuer
Summary: Marine microbial communities in coastal environments are influenced by seasonal fluctuations and anthropogenic alterations. The effects of temperature and nutrient availability on phytoplankton growth and ecosystem metabolism are well understood, but the impacts on food web structure and function are not well constrained. This study investigated the interactive effects of temperature and nutrient availability on trophic transfer and found that the interplay of these factors influenced the consumption of primary production. The results suggest that nutrient management will be critical in determining the fate of primary production and ecosystem production in warming oceans.
LIMNOLOGY AND OCEANOGRAPHY
(2023)
Article
Limnology
Susanne Menden-Deuer, Julia C. Mullarney, Maarten Boersma, Hans-Peter Grossart, Ryan Sponseller, Sarah Ann Woodin
Summary: Climate change is causing rapid and intense changes in aquatic communities and habitats. Previous research has focused on direct effects, while indirect and interactive effects have been overlooked. This overview of a special issue in Limnology and Oceanography addresses this knowledge gap, covering diverse habitats and emphasizing the importance of maintaining time-series data to identify indirect effects. Species-specific characteristics and habitat changes are also highlighted as key factors in understanding aquatic ecosystem responses. The results provide valuable insights for tackling the combined impacts of climate change and human activities on biodiversity and ecosystem functioning.
LIMNOLOGY AND OCEANOGRAPHY
(2023)