Microplastics alter the functioning of marine microbial ecosystems
Microplastics pervade ocean ecosystems. Despite their effects on individuals or populations are well documented, the consequences of microplastics on ecosystem functioning are still largely unknown. Here, we show how microplastics alter the structure and functioning of pelagic microbial ecosystems. Using experimental pelagic mesocosms, we found that microplastics indirectly affect marine productivity by changing the bacterial and phytoplankton assemblages. Specifically, the addition of microplastics increased phytoplankton biomass and shifted bacterial assemblages' composition. Such changes altered the interactions between heterotrophic and autotrophic microbes and the cycling of ammonia in the water column, which ultimately benefited photosynthetic efficiency. The effects of microplastics on marine productivity were consistent for different microplastic types. This study demonstrates that microplastics affect bacteria and phytoplankton communities and influence marine productivity, which ultimately alters the functioning of the whole ocean ecosystem.
Authors
- Maria Saggiomo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5794-0050)
- Christophe Brunet (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1435-358X)
- Cecilia Balestra (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4433-4793)
- Chiara Santinelli
- Cinzia Corinaldesi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2981-541X)
- José M. Montoya (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6676-7592)
- Daniel Montoya (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5521-5282)
- Clementina Sansone (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3007-8154)
- Vincenzo Manna (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9532-1485)
- Raffaella Casotti (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9876-4601)
- Anna Chiara Trano (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4374-327X)
- Eugenio Rastelli (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5812-3690)
Institutions
- Ikerbasque (ES)
- Marche Polytechnic University (IT)
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (FR)
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn (IT)
- Basque Centre for Climate Change (ES)
- Instituto di Biofisica (ES)
- Station d’Écologie Théorique et Expérimentale (FR)
- National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics (IT)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Ecology and Evolution
- Published
- 2024-11-01
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.70041
- Citations
- 12
- Primary Topic
- Microplastics and Plastic Pollution
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 1.60
Funders
- Agence Nationale de la Recherche
- Eusko Jaurlaritza
- Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación
- Horizon 2020 Framework Programme
- Agencia Estatal de Investigación
- H2020 European Research Council