Assessing the toxicity of polystyrene beads and silica particles on the microconsumer Brachionus calyciflorus at different timescales

Environmental pollution by microplastics has become a severe problem in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems and, according to actual prognoses, problems will further increase the future. Therefore, assessing quantifying risk for biota is crucial. Standardized short-term toxicological procedures as well methods potential toxic effects over whole life span of an animal are required. We studied effect microplastic polystyrene on survival reproduction common freshwater invertebrate, rotifer Brachionus calyciflorus , at different timescales. used pristine spheres 1, 3, 6 µm diameter fed them animals together with food algae ratios ranging from 0 50% nonfood particles. As particle control, we silica distinguish between pure plastic effect. After 24 h, no was found, neither nor silica. 96 detectable both types. The size particles played negligible role. Studying long-term using table experiments, found reduced when were 3 similar-sized algae. conclude that fitness reduction mainly driven dilution rather than direct