Microplastics alter the functioning of marine microbial ecosystems.

ABSTRACT: 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

SUBMITTER: Montoya D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11564128 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature