Effects of Secondary Recycled Microplastics on the Biotest Organism Paramecium caudatum

Microplastic pollution of aquatic environments has become a global environmental problem. The study has found that the freshwater ciliate Paramecium caudatum ingests secondary recycled microplastic particles. Polyvinyl chloride and high-density polyethylene microparticles at concentrations of 5 μg/mL and higher exert a significant negative impact on the survival and behavior of ciliates. Since this organism is an integral part of the planktonic food web, there are certain environmental risks of the advancement of toxic substances along the food chain, which poses a potential hazard to aquatic biota and humans.