Nanoplastics in aquatic ecosystems
Abstract: Each year, large amounts of plastic find their way into natural ecosystems. The fragmentation of plastics into micro- and nanoplastics poses increasing risks to freshwater ecosystems and represents a potential future global environmental problem. Laboratory studies have shown that these particles can negatively affect various aquatic organisms and may undergo trophic transfer up the food chain.
To date, most studies have focused on manufactured plastic model nanoparticles. However, by fragmenting macroplastics from consumer products into nanoplastics, research is now moving toward more environmentally relevant exposure materials. To further advance nanoplastics research toward realistic exposure scenarios, we used replicated wetland mesocosms and gold-doped polystyrene nanoplastics to investigate the fate, uptake, and ecological effects of nanoplastics under more natural settings as compared to standard laboratory experiments.
Wetland mesocosms efficiently retained nanoplastics, with 97% remaining within the system, primarily accumulating in sediments. Nanoplastics were taken up by multiple organisms, including planktonic filter feeders (Daphnia magna), detritivores (Asellus aquaticus), and macrophytes. Exposure revealed a tipping point where Daphnia and diatoms were strongly negatively affected, whereas copepods, cyanobacteria, benthic bacterial decomposition, and bottom-dwelling organisms showed no detectable responses.
These findings suggest potential alterations in freshwater food web structure and ecosystem functioning. Overall, our study provides critical insights into the transport, bioavailability, and ecological impacts of nanoplastics.
Speaker: Mikael Ekvall, Department of Chemistry, Division of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, Lund University
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