Can microplastics variability drive the colonization dynamics of periphytic protozoan fauna in marine environments?

• Published in: Marine pollution bulletin 2024-12, Vol.209 (Pt A), p.117148, Article 117148
• Main Authors: Sun, Yixiang, Wang, Ning, Zhong, Xiaoxiao, Xu, Guangjian
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Aquatic Organisms; Bioassessment; Biodiversity; Ciliated protozoa; Community-based; Ecotoxicity; Environmental Monitoring; Environmental stress; Microplastics; Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis
• ISSN: 0025-326X; 1879-3363; 1879-3363
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.117148

In recent years, microplastics have become a global environmental hot topic of concern. To explore the effects of different concentrations of microplastics on colonization dynamics of periphytic protozoan fauna, a 21-day study was conducted in temperature-controlled circulation systems. Periphytic protozoan communities were used as test organisms and exposed to five concentrations of MPs: 0, 1, 5, 25, and 125 mg l−1, identification and enumeration were conducted on days 3, 5, 7, 10, 14 and 21. The results showed that the colonization dynamics were driven by MPs and significantly shifted at concentrations over 5 mg l−1. However, a notable decline in maximum species richness and abundance was observed in the high concentrations of microplastic, along with significant deviations in colonization patterns from the control group (0 mg l−1). Therefore, it is suggested that the colonization dynamics of periphytic protozoa can serve as a bioindicator for assessing microplastic concentrations in marine environments. •The protozoan colonization were well fitted to the MacArthur–Wilson model under 5 mg l−1.•The colonization patterns were significantly shifted with altering concentrations of MPs.•Increasing the concentrations of MPs can reduce protozoan species richness.•MPs concentrations can drive colonization dynamics of periphytic protozoa.