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Acute Exposure to Polyethylene Microbeads and Effects on the Water Flea Moina Macrocopa
Bao-Son Trinh1, Le Thi Lien2, Pham Anh Duc3
1Institute for Environment and Resources, Viet Nam National University of Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh city, Vietnam. bao-son.trinh@hcmier.edu.vn.
Abstract:
Microplastics merit attention as they can be ingested by lower trophic organisms, transferred to the food web, and pose potential risks to higher trophic levels. This study investigated the accumulation and effects of polyethylene microbeads (PEMBs, 63-75 μm) on adult water flea Moina macrocopa (600-800 μm), an order-magnitude difference in size, as a result of acute exposure. The organisms were exposed to PEMBs in four treatments of 0 (the Control), 5, 50, and 500 mg PEMB/L for examining PEMB accumulation, survival and reproduction of the organisms after the 24- and 48-h exposures. In general, M. macrocopa ingested PEMBs within 24-h exposure and reached the cumulative PEMB accumulation value of 0.17 ± 0.21 beads/adult after 48-h exposure in the 500 mg PEMB/L treatment. Exposure to PEMBs resulted in a statistically significant decrease of the cumulative survival rates, from 93 ± 12% in the Control to 37 ± 21% in the 500 mg/L treatment. Nevertheless, exposure to PEMBs did not significantly reduce the cumulative reproduction (p > 0.05), although a decrease was observed. This study suggests that the relatively large-size PEMBs could be ingested by the relatively small-size M. macrocopa and pose potential risks to these organisms.
Insights
Polyethylene microbeads (PEMBs) were ingested by water fleas (Moina macrocopa), leading to significantly decreased survival rates. Despite ingestion, reproduction was not significantly impacted by these microplastics.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Ecotoxicology
- Aquatic Biology
Background:
- Microplastics are pervasive environmental contaminants.
- Ingestion by lower trophic organisms can lead to food web transfer and risks to higher trophic levels.
- Understanding microplastic impacts on zooplankton is crucial for aquatic ecosystem health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the accumulation and effects of polyethylene microbeads (PEMBs) on adult water fleas (Moina macrocopa).
- To assess the impact of acute PEMB exposure on survival and reproduction.
- To evaluate the risks posed by size-disparate microplastics to zooplankton.
Main Methods:
- Adult Moina macrocopa were exposed to varying concentrations of PEMBs (0, 5, 50, 500 mg/L) for 24 and 48 hours.
- PEMB accumulation in organisms was quantified.
- Survival and reproduction rates were monitored under different exposure conditions.
Main Results:
- Moina macrocopa ingested PEMBs within 24 hours, with accumulation observed at higher concentrations.
- A statistically significant decrease in cumulative survival rates was observed with increasing PEMB concentration.
- No significant reduction in cumulative reproduction was found, though a decreasing trend was noted.
Conclusions:
- Relatively large polyethylene microbeads can be ingested by smaller zooplankton like Moina macrocopa.
- PEMB ingestion poses potential risks to the survival of these aquatic invertebrates.
- Further research is needed to understand the long-term ecological consequences of microplastic exposure in aquatic food webs.
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