Plastisphere development in relation to the surrounding biotic communities. (1st August 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Žuna Pfeiffer, Tanja; Špoljarić Maronić, Dubravka; Stević, Filip; Galir Balkić, Anita; Bek, Nikolina; Martinović, Ana; Mandir, Tomislav; Nikolašević, Rahela; Janjić, Doris
• Is Part Of: Environmental pollution. Volume 306(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-08-01
• Subjects: PET microfragments -- Algae -- Cyanobacteria -- Zooplankton -- Epixylon -- Epilithon; Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Environmental Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Périodiques; Pollution -- Aspect de l'environnement -- Périodiques; Pollution -- Effets physiologiques -- Périodiques; Pollution; Pollution -- Environmental aspects; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 363.73
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119380
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0269-7491

Abstract

Abstract: To study the early colonization processes, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) microfragments were immersed in Lake Sakadaš and the Drava River and sampled weekly together with the surrounding biotic communities - phytoplankton, zooplankton, epixylon in the lake and epilithon in the river. At the end of the study, a rise in water level occurred in the river, which altered the environmental conditions and plankton communities. In studied environments, all of the sampled biotic communities were diverse and abundant. Plastispheres formed in both waters by the seventh day of incubation and developed rapidly, reaching a peak in abundance on the last day of the study. Initial colonization was supported equally by planktonic and periphytic taxa in both environments, but after initial settlement, plastisphere assemblages were affected differently in the river and lake. This study suggests that PET microfragments are a suitable substrate for microphyte settlement and may provide an important pathway for their transport in dynamic freshwater floodplains and river systems. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: The PET fragments support the rapid development of three-dimensional plastispheres. Initial colonization is supported by planktonic and periphytic taxa equally. Following succession, the plastispheres in the lake resemble an epixylic community. Progression of plastispheres in the river favours the settlement of planktonic taxa.