Plastic Pollution's Secret Impact on Daphnia and Their Microbiomes

Microplastics, tiny plastic bits under five millimetres, are causing big trouble in our waterways. These little pieces are gathering in urban freshwater ponds, affecting creatures like Daphnia, which are vital for these ecosystems. Scientists looked at how microplastics affect Daphnia's health and the tiny communities of microbes that live on them, through both real-world observations and lab tests that lasted 23 days. They used special tools to examine these microbes closely. In cities, ponds have more microplastics than natural ones, and the types of plastics vary. The microbiomes, or communities of microbes, living in the water were more diverse than those on Daphnia. Factors like temperature and the environment also influenced these microbiomes. Interestingly, microbes that can break down certain plastics and those resistant to antibiotics were more common in areas with lots of microplastics. In the lab, where they could control conditions, they found that the source of the microbes in the water affected how well Daphnia survived and what kinds of microbes ended up on them. Certain microbes were particularly attached to the microplastics. So, urban living leads to more microplastics and antibiotic-resistant microbes, which can alter the microbiomes of creatures like Daphnia. This could affect how well these ecosystems can bounce back from challenges.