Nanoplastics rewire freshwater food webs
Data files
Aug 14, 2024 version files 31.18 KB
Abstract
The accelerating use of plastics worldwide is of societal concern, especially as plastics fragment into smaller, micro- and nano-sized particles. Of particular importance is the effects on aquatic ecosystems since a major part of the nanoplastics eventually reach natural water systems. We identify, using replicated experimental wetlands, a tipping point where nanoplastics become detrimental to the key planktonic grazer, Daphnia. Moreover, the phytoplankton diatoms were also strongly affected by nanoplastics, whereas we detected no effects on the less efficient herbivore copepods, cyanobacteria, benthic bacterial decomposition, or any bottom dwelling organisms. That some organisms and ecosystem functions, but not others, are strongly affected by nanoplastic particles predicts considerable alterations in aquatic food webs and a rewiring of feeding links. In a broader context, our study provides crucial data on the effects of nanoplastics in semi-natural, complex ecosystems, constituting urgently needed understanding for risk assessment, legislation, and management of plastic material.
README: Nanoplastics rewire freshwater food webs
https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.gb5mkkx08
Description of the data and file structure
Files and variables
File: Fig1dryad.xlsx
Description: Number of animal per mesocosm
Number of Daphnia and cyclopoid copepods (#/mesocosm; columns) in mesocosms at the end of the study. Rows show numbers in each mesocosm and treatment. C is control mesocsms without nanoplastics, whereas L, M and H denotes low (21 µg/L), medium (214 µg/L) and high (2141 µg/L) concentrations of nanoplastics.
File: Fig2dryad.xlsx
Description: Biomass of phytoplankton
Algal biomass (µg/L; columns) in mesocosms at the end of the study (week #10). Rows show biomasses in each mesocosm and treatment. C is control mesocsms without nanoplastics, whereas L, M and H denotes low (21 µg/L), medium (214 µg/L) and high (2141 µg/L) concentrations of nanoplastics.
File: Fig3Dryad.xlsx
Description: Decomposition of leaves
Decomposition of leaves during 10 weeks in in mesocosms. Rows show data for each mesocosm and treatment. C is control mesocsms without nanoplastics, whereas L, M and H denotes low (21 µg/L), medium (214 µg/L) and high (2141 µg/L) concentrations of nanoplastics. Columns are the initial weight (in gram) of the leaves, tube tare weight, tube with leaf, and calculated final leaf weight. Decomposition was then calculated by subtracting initial from final leaf weight (g).
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Methods
A long-term, large -scale freshwater mesocosm set-up was exposed to a gradient of nanoplastics. Organisms, inlcuding pelagic (zoo- and phytoplankton) and benthic organisms, as well as ecosystem functions were assessed.