Effect of Polystyrene Microplastics in Different Diet Combinations on Survival, Growth and Reproduction Rates of the Water Flea (Daphnia magna)

Microplastic pollution is a problem not only in the marine environment but also freshwater ecosystems. Water flea (Daphnia magna) one of most common omnivorous cladocerans In this study, potential effects microplastics (fluorescent polystyrene beads with dimensions 6 microns) on survival, growth and reproduction Daphnia magna were examined during 21 days laboratory experiments. Microplastics (MPs) observed to be ingested alone or along either microalgae Chlorella vulgaris (Cv) baker’s yeast (By). D. fed exclusively showed drastic decline survival similar that starving group. The least total length width was specimens MPs starved groups. Daphia mixture MPs/Cv MPs/By produced significantly (p < 0.05) lower number ephippia. Our results show high concentrations adversely affect populations.