Effect of Polystyrene Microplastics in Different Diet Combinations on Survival, Growth and Reproduction Rates of the Water Flea (<i>Daphnia magna</i>)

İŞİNİBİLİR OKYAR M., ERYALÇIN K. M., KIDEYŞ A. E.

MICROPLASTICS, sa.1, ss.27-38, 2023 (ESCI) identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Basım Tarihi: 2023
  • Doi Numarası: 10.3390/microplastics2010002
  • Dergi Adı: MICROPLASTICS
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI)
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.27-38
  • Orta Doğu Teknik Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Microplastic pollution is a problem not only in the marine environment but also in freshwater ecosystems. Water flea (Daphnia magna) is one of the most common omnivorous cladocerans in freshwater ecosystems. In this study, the potential effects of microplastics (fluorescent polystyrene beads with dimensions of 6 microns) on the survival, growth and reproduction of Daphnia magna were examined during 21 days of laboratory experiments. Microplastics (MPs) were observed to be ingested alone or along with either the microalgae Chlorella vulgaris (Cv) or baker's yeast (By). D. magna fed exclusively with microplastics showed a drastic decline in survival similar to that in the starving group. The least growth in total length or width was observed in Daphnia specimens fed only MPs and the starved groups. Daphia fed with a mixture of MPs/Cv or MPs/By produced a significantly (p < 0.05) lower number of ephippia. Our results show that high concentrations of microplastics adversely affect Daphnia magna populations.