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Related Concept Videos

Freshwater Microbial Ecology01:24

Freshwater Microbial Ecology

Freshwater systems such as streams, rivers, and lakes exhibit distinct physical and biological characteristics that influence their microbial communities. These environments are broadly categorized into lotic systems—those with flowing waters like streams and most rivers—and lentic systems, which include still or slow-moving waters such as lakes, ponds, and marshes.In lentic systems, phytoplankton drive primary production, generating autochthonous organic carbon. In contrast, lotic systems...
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 26, 2026

Sampling, Sorting, and Characterizing Microplastics in Aquatic Environments with High Suspended Sediment Loads and Large Floating Debris
05:31

Sampling, Sorting, and Characterizing Microplastics in Aquatic Environments with High Suspended Sediment Loads and Large Floating Debris

Published on: July 28, 2018

From Core to Front: Microplastic Loads Along a Signal Crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus) Invasion Gradient.

Diana Sousa1,2, Ronaldo Sousa1,2, Monica Quarato3

  • 1CBMA-Centre for Molecular and Environmental Biology/ARNET-Aquatic Research Network, Department of Biology, University of Minho, Braga, 4710-057 Portugal.

Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry
|June 25, 2026
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Plastic pollution threatens aquatic ecosystems, with microplastics found in Portuguese rivers. Signal crayfish accumulate plastics, but their behavior and personality traits did not correlate with contamination levels.

Keywords:
Pacifastacus leniusculusbiological invasionsmacroplasticsmicroplastics

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Sampling, Sorting, and Characterizing Microplastics in Aquatic Environments with High Suspended Sediment Loads and Large Floating Debris
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Accumulation and Distribution of Fluorescent Microplastics in the Early Life Stages of Zebrafish
06:46

Accumulation and Distribution of Fluorescent Microplastics in the Early Life Stages of Zebrafish

Published on: July 4, 2021

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Science
  • Ecotoxicology
  • Aquatic Ecology

Background:

  • Plastic pollution is a pervasive threat to aquatic ecosystems globally.
  • Studies on plastic contamination in low-disturbance mountain aquatic environments are limited.
  • Non-native species, like the signal crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus), can be indicators of environmental contamination.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess macro- and microplastic presence in rivers within Montesinho Natural Park, Portugal.
  • To investigate the influence of signal crayfish's intrapopulational ecological traits on plastic accumulation.
  • To explore the relationship between crayfish behavior, invasion dynamics, and microplastic exposure.

Main Methods:

  • Field sampling for macroplastics and signal crayfish across an invasion gradient.
  • Laboratory analysis of plastic morphology and polymer identification using FTIR-ATR and Raman spectroscopy.
  • Behavioral assays (boldness, aggressiveness) on signal crayfish, correlated with microplastic content in digestive tracts and gills.

Main Results:

  • Macroplastics were ubiquitous; microplastic abundance was higher at the invasion front.
  • The digestive tract was the primary exposure route for microplastics, more so than gills.
  • Fibers (PET, PE, PP) were the dominant microplastic types; no correlation found between crayfish personality traits and microplastic accumulation.
  • Behavioral differences observed between invasion front/core and sexes, but not linked to plastic load.

Conclusions:

  • Plastic contamination in aquatic ecosystems is influenced by environmental factors and species' ecological traits.
  • Signal crayfish accumulate microplastics, primarily through ingestion, with distribution varying by exposure route.
  • Integrating behavioral ecology is crucial for understanding contaminant exposure and ecological implications in non-native species.