Effect of Polystyrene Microplastics in Different Diet Combinations on Survival, Growth and Reproduction Rates of the Water Flea (Daphnia magna)

Abstract

Microplastic pollution is a problem not only in the marine environment but also in freshwater ecosystems. Water flea (Daphnia magna) is one of the most common omnivorous cladocerans in freshwater ecosystems. In this study, the potential effects of microplastics (fluorescent polystyrene beads with dimensions of 6 microns) on the survival, growth and reproduction of Daphnia magna were examined during 21 days of laboratory experiments. Microplastics (MPs) were observed to be ingested alone or along with either the microalgae Chlorella vulgaris (Cv) or baker’s yeast (By). D. magna fed exclusively with microplastics showed a drastic decline in survival similar to that in the starving group. The least growth in total length or width was observed in Daphnia specimens fed only MPs and the starved groups. Daphia fed with a mixture of MPs/Cv or MPs/By produced a significantly (p < 0.05) lower number of ephippia. Our results show that high concentrations of microplastics adversely affect Daphnia magna populations.

Low-Density Microplastics in Recreational Parks of Al Ain, United Arab Emirates: Abundance, Composition, and Potential Effects on Soil Health

“…Airborne plastic particles can be inhaled and may lead to disturbances in the respiratory system [11]. In various aquatic animals, such as brine shrimps [12], water fleas [13], pacific oysters [14], marine medaka [15], sea urchins [16], marine copepods [17], and zebrafish [18], exposure to MPs has been linked to reproductive toxicity. Recreational parks, characterized by the harmonious coexistence of human activity and biodiversity, serve as an ideal setting to investigate the extent and nature of microplastic contamination in such environments.…”

Microplastics influence the functional responses of a tropical estuarine calanoid Pseudodiaptomus annandalei

“…Food-web contamination may begin with MP ingestion by zooplankton, which is the primary consumer and constitutes the lowest heterotrophic trophic level of aquatic ecosystems (Kumar, 2005;Ameĺineau et al, 2016;Richon et al, 2022). Zooplankton contamination with MPs may also have several biological implications, such as decreased growth, reproduction, and lower survival rates (Cole et al, 2019;Isinibilir et al, 2023). Their position in the food web is at the interface between the primary producers and higher trophic levels (Kumar, 2005;Kerfoot and DeMott, 2019).…”

“…The presence of micro-and nano-sized polystyrene in the environment has been observed to alter the feeding behavior of diving beetle (Cybister japonicas) and crucian carp (Carassius carassius) (Kim et al, 2018). The negative effects of MPs on physiology, organ damage, and even mortality have been shown in the laboratory (Franzellitti et al, 2019;Isinibilir et al, 2023), but only limited information is available on the behavioral impacts, feeding response, and functional and numerical responses of brackish water copepods commonly occurring in regions with higher MP pollution (Franzellitti et al, 2019;Cunningham et al, 2021;Rajan et al, 2023).…”