Predator traits influence uptake and trophic transfer of nanoplastics in aquatic systems–a mechanistic study
Open access
Date
2024Type
- Journal Article
ETH Bibliography
yes
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Abstract
Predicting the response of aquatic species to environmental contaminants is challenging, in part because of the diverse biological traits within communities that influence their uptake and transfer of contaminants. Nanoplastics are a contaminant of growing concern, and previous research has documented their uptake and transfer in aquatic food webs. Employing an established method of nanoplastic tracking using metal-doped plastics, we studied the influence of biological traits on the uptake of nanoplastic from water and diet in freshwater predators through two exposure assays. We focused on backswimmers (Anisops wakefieldi) and damselfly larvae (Xanthocnemis zealandica) - two freshwater macroinvertebrates with contrasting physiological and morphological traits related to feeding and respiration strategies. Our findings reveal striking differences in nanoplastic transfer dynamics: damselfly larvae accumulated nanoplastics from water and diet and then efficiently eliminated 92% of nanoplastic after five days of depuration. In contrast, backswimmers did not accumulate nanoplastic from either source. Differences in nanoplastic transfer dynamics may be explained by the contrasting physiological and morphological traits of these organisms. Overall, our results highlight the importance and potential of considering biological traits in predicting transfer of nanoplastics through aquatic food webs. Show more
Permanent link
https://doi.org/10.3929/ethz-b-000699795Publication status
publishedExternal links
Journal / series
Microplastics and NanoplasticsVolume
Pages / Article No.
Publisher
SpringerOpenSubject
Macroinvertebrate; Contaminant; Feeding; Freshwater; Ecosystem; Uptake; Elimination; ExposureOrganisational unit
09717 - Mitrano, Denise M. / Mitrano, Denise M.
Funding
186856 - Synthesis and utility of metal-doped plastic particles and fibers: from analytical standardization to systematic understanding of fate in the environment (SUrPASS) (SNF)
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ETH Bibliography
yes
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