Plastic nanoparticles also harm freshwater organisms

Organisms can be negatively affected by plastic nanoparticles, not just in the seas and oceans but in freshwater bodies too. These particles slow the growth of algae, cause deformities in water fleas and impede communication between small organisms and fish. These are the results of research carried out by i.e. Wageningen UR, published in Environmental Science and Technology.
In the study the researchers exposed water fleas to various nanoplastic concentrations. At higher concentrations, algae growth declined. Water fleas were also smaller following exposure to nanoplastics and their offspring malformed in various ways (Press Release Wageningen UR, 17 October 2014).
Click here for the press release.
Click here for an abstract of the published article.

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