2018_EJRNL_PP_ZARA_L_R__BOTTERELL_1.pdf
Terbatas Lili Sawaludin Mulyadi
» ITB
Terbatas Lili Sawaludin Mulyadi
» ITB
Microplastics are abundant and widespread in the marine environment. They are a contaminant of global
environmental and economic concern. Due to their small size a wide range of marine species, including
zooplankton can ingest them. Research has shown that microplastics are readily ingested by several
zooplankton taxa, with associated negative impacts on biological processes. Zooplankton is a crucial food
source for many secondary consumers, consequently this represents a route whereby microplastic could
enter the food web and transfer up the trophic levels. In this review we aim to: 1) evaluate the current
knowledge base regarding microplastic ingestion by zooplankton in both the laboratory and the field;
and 2) summarise the factors which contribute to the bioavailability of microplastics to zooplankton.
Current literature shows that microplastic ingestion has been recorded in 39 zooplankton species from
28 taxonomic orders including holo- and meroplanktonic species. The majority of studies occurred under
laboratory conditions and negative effects were reported in ten studies (45%) demonstrating effects on
feeding behaviour, growth, development, reproduction and lifespan. In contrast, three studies (14%)
reported no negative effects from microplastic ingestion. Several physical and biological factors can influence the bioavailability of microplastics to zooplankton, such as size, shape, age and abundance. We
identified that microplastics used in experiments are often different to those quantified in the marine
environment, particularly in terms of concentration, shape, type and age. We therefore suggest that
future research should include microplastics that are more representative of those found in the marine
environment at relevant concentrations. Additionally, investigating the effects of microplastic ingestion
on a broader range of zooplankton species and life stages, will help to answer key knowledge gaps
regarding the effect of microplastic on recruitment, species populations and ultimately broader economic
consequences such as impacts on shell- and finfish stocks.