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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 15, 2026

Modeling the Size Spectrum for Macroinvertebrates and Fishes in Stream Ecosystems

Modeling the Size Spectrum for Macroinvertebrates and Fishes in Stream Ecosystems

Published on: July 30, 2019

Microplastic Effect Thresholds for Freshwater Benthic Macroinvertebrates.

Paula E Redondo-Hasselerharm¹, Dede Falahudin¹, Edwin T H M Peeters¹

¹Aquatic Ecology and Water Quality Management group, Wageningen University & Research , P.O. Box 47, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands.

Environmental Science & Technology

|January 17, 2018

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Microplastics in freshwater ecosystems pose a low risk to most benthic macroinvertebrates. However, Gammarus pulex showed reduced growth, indicating potential impacts on aquatic biodiversity and ecosystem function.

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Last Updated: Feb 15, 2026

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Area of Science:

Environmental Science
Ecotoxicology
Aquatic Ecology

Background:

Microplastics are globally pervasive in freshwater environments.
Assessing microplastic impacts on aquatic biota is a critical research need.

Purpose of the Study:

Determine effect thresholds for six freshwater benthic macroinvertebrates exposed to varying microplastic concentrations.
Investigate the impact of polystyrene microplastics on survival, reproduction, and growth.

Main Methods:

Standardized 28-day single-species bioassays.
Environmentally relevant exposure conditions using polystyrene microplastics (20-500 μm) mixed with sediment.
Concentrations ranged from 0 to 40% sediment dry weight (dw).

Main Results:

No significant effects on survival or reproduction for most species tested.
Gammarus pulex exhibited a significant reduction in growth (EC10 = 1.07% sediment dw).
Microplastic uptake was dose-dependent on sediment concentration.

Conclusions:

Environmentally realistic microplastic concentrations may pose low direct risks to many freshwater invertebrates.
Sensitive species like Gammarus pulex can be negatively affected, potentially impacting aquatic biodiversity and ecosystem functioning.