Ecological implications beyond the ecotoxicity of plastic debris on marine phytoplankton assemblage structure and functioning

Silvia Casabianca; Arianna Bellingeri; Samuela Capellacci; Alice Sbrana; Tommaso Russo; Ilaria Corsi; Antonella Penna

doi:10.1016/j.envpol.2021.118101

Ecological implications beyond the ecotoxicity of plastic debris on marine phytoplankton assemblage structure and functioning

Environ Pollut. 2021 Dec 1:290:118101. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.118101. Epub 2021 Sep 3.

Authors

Silvia Casabianca¹, Arianna Bellingeri², Samuela Capellacci³, Alice Sbrana⁴, Tommaso Russo⁵, Ilaria Corsi⁶, Antonella Penna³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino, Campus E. Mattei, 61121, Urbino, Italy; CoNISMa, National Inter-University Consortium for Marine Sciences, 00196, Rome, Italy; Fano Marine Center, The Inter-Institute Center for Research on Marine Biodiversity, Resources and Biotechnologies, 61032, Fano, Italy. Electronic address: silvia.casabianca@uniurb.it.
² Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, 53100, Siena, Italy.
³ Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino, Campus E. Mattei, 61121, Urbino, Italy; CoNISMa, National Inter-University Consortium for Marine Sciences, 00196, Rome, Italy; Fano Marine Center, The Inter-Institute Center for Research on Marine Biodiversity, Resources and Biotechnologies, 61032, Fano, Italy.
⁴ Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133, Rome, Italy; PhD Program in Evolutionary Biology and Ecology, Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica snc, 00133, Roma, Italy.
⁵ CoNISMa, National Inter-University Consortium for Marine Sciences, 00196, Rome, Italy; Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133, Rome, Italy.
⁶ CoNISMa, National Inter-University Consortium for Marine Sciences, 00196, Rome, Italy; Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, 53100, Siena, Italy.

PMID: 34523510
DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.118101

Abstract

Plastic pollution is a global issue posing a threat to marine biota with ecological implications on ecosystem functioning. Micro and nanoplastic impact on phytoplankton autotrophic species (e.g., cell growth inhibition, decrease in chlorophyll a and photosynthetic efficiency and hetero-aggregates formation) have been largely documented. However, the heterogeneity of data makes rather difficult a comparison based on size (i.e. micro vs nano). In addition, knowledge gaps on the ecological impact on phytoplankton assemblage structure and functioning are evident. A new virtual meta-analysis on cause-effect relationships of micro and nanoplastics on phytoplankton species revealed the significant effect posed by polymer type on reducing cell density for tested PVC, PS and PE plastics. Linked with autotrophic phytoplankton role in atmospheric CO₂ fixation, a potential impact of plastics on marine carbon pump is discussed. The understanding of the effects of microplastics and nanoplastics on the phytoplankton functioning is fundamental to raise awareness on the overall impact on the first level of marine food web. Interactions between micro and nanoplastics and phytoplankton assemblages have been quite documented by in vitro examinations; but, further studies considering natural plankton assemblages and/or large mesocosm experiments should be performed to evaluate and try predicting ecological impacts on primary producers.

Keywords: Carbon cycle; Cell growth; Hetero-aggregates; Marine food web; Microplastics-nanoplastics; Phytoplankton assemblage.

Publication types

Meta-Analysis
Review

MeSH terms

Chlorophyll A
Ecosystem
Phytoplankton
Plastics* / toxicity
Water Pollutants, Chemical* / analysis
Water Pollutants, Chemical* / toxicity

Substances

Plastics
Water Pollutants, Chemical
Chlorophyll A