From Ingestion to Community Changes: The Effects of Nearshore Microplastics on Zooplankton: A Review

Microplastics are widely present in coastal waters. Because their size and appearance resemble those of natural food sources, they are frequently ingested by zooplankton. This mini-review examines how exposure to microplastics affects zooplankton feeding, development, reproduction, community structure, as well as energy transfer and carbon flux. Drawing on 15 original studies published between 2013 and 2023, this review examines topics such as microplastic intake, feces, reproduction, larval survival, and population growth in marine copepods. The results indicate that the size, shape, and degree of degradation of microplastics all influence the feeding preferences of zooplankton. Exposure to seawater containing high concentrations of microplastics reduces the feeding rates and reproductive development of planktonic organisms, and their feces may also transfer microplastics to other predators or to deeper waters through the food chain. However, direct evidence regarding the impact on changes in population structure remains limited, necessitating the conduct of more realistic, long-term, multi-species studies to assess the associated risks.