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B. Yan et al.
benthic organisms such as mussels will increase with the concentration of microplastics in the sediments [87]. Besides, Sinja et al. reported that microplastic particles can
be deposited in mussels and cannot be effectively digested and broken down [88].
Microplastics also alter the feeding behavior of benthic organisms. The inhomogeneous particle size of microplastics may affect the feeding of marine filter-feeding
bivalves and may further lead to different physiological effects [39]. Studies had
shown that microplastics cannot be ingested by bivalve mollusks if they are separate
in the environment. Bivalves depend on the type and size of microplastics to determine whether they are suitable for food. Since benthic organisms can selectively
ingest microplastics, the physical and chemical properties of microplastic particles
could influence their existence in the intestines of bivalves, such as the type and
size of the microplastics [89]. If microplastics are mistakenly eaten by mussels with
nutritious foods, they tend to accumulate in their bodies, and if microplastics are
eaten by mussels alone, on the contrary, they are excreted, and the results show that
mussels can distinguish between nutritious foods and uneatable suspended plastic
particles [76].
Microplastics have different effects on numerous benthic organisms which result
in the destruction of their physiological functions. Benthic invertebrates, especially
those species that absorb benthic sediments such as angelfish (blackworms), are
usually found in contaminated sediments and their bodies contain large quantities
of microplastics [90]. As a common benthic organism, midges are also affected by
the accumulation of microplastics. The accumulation of microplastics may not only
inhibit the metabolism, nutrition, immunity, and development time of midges, but
also lead to the changes of intestinal microflora of midges.
3.3 Effects of Microplastics on Microbial Diversity,
Community Structure, and Function
The existence of microplastics has a significant impact on microorganisms, it could
change the microbial diversity and community structure, and ultimately affecting the
function of microbial communities. Li et al. drew the conclusion that the existence of
microplastics will affect the structure and composition of the microbial community as
well as the function of the microbial community, potentially affecting the ecological
function of the microbial community in the aquatic ecosystem by applying multiple
analysis [91].
Microplastics have a large specific surface area, which makes them an ideal habitat
for microorganisms to form biofilms. As a unique habitat, the adhesion and formation of biofilm on the microplastic would be affected by the plastic surface, the
surrounding environment, seasonal variation, as well as geographical location [92].
Harrison et al. reported that microorganisms have the ability to rapidly attach to LDPE
microplastics in coastal marine sediments [93]. In addition, Miao et al. suggested
that microplastics, as an ideal plastisphere, may be more abundant in microbial
B. Yan et al.
benthic organisms such as mussels will increase with the concentration of microplastics in the sediments [87]. Besides, Sinja et al. reported that microplastic particles can
be deposited in mussels and cannot be effectively digested and broken down [88].
Microplastics also alter the feeding behavior of benthic organisms. The inhomogeneous particle size of microplastics may affect the feeding of marine filter-feeding
bivalves and may further lead to different physiological effects [39]. Studies had
shown that microplastics cannot be ingested by bivalve mollusks if they are separate
in the environment. Bivalves depend on the type and size of microplastics to determine whether they are suitable for food. Since benthic organisms can selectively
ingest microplastics, the physical and chemical properties of microplastic particles
could influence their existence in the intestines of bivalves, such as the type and
size of the microplastics [89]. If microplastics are mistakenly eaten by mussels with
nutritious foods, they tend to accumulate in their bodies, and if microplastics are
eaten by mussels alone, on the contrary, they are excreted, and the results show that
mussels can distinguish between nutritious foods and uneatable suspended plastic
particles [76].
Microplastics have different effects on numerous benthic organisms which result
in the destruction of their physiological functions. Benthic invertebrates, especially
those species that absorb benthic sediments such as angelfish (blackworms), are
usually found in contaminated sediments and their bodies contain large quantities
of microplastics [90]. As a common benthic organism, midges are also affected by
the accumulation of microplastics. The accumulation of microplastics may not only
inhibit the metabolism, nutrition, immunity, and development time of midges, but
also lead to the changes of intestinal microflora of midges.
3.3 Effects of Microplastics on Microbial Diversity,
Community Structure, and Function
The existence of microplastics has a significant impact on microorganisms, it could
change the microbial diversity and community structure, and ultimately affecting the
function of microbial communities. Li et al. drew the conclusion that the existence of
microplastics will affect the structure and composition of the microbial community as
well as the function of the microbial community, potentially affecting the ecological
function of the microbial community in the aquatic ecosystem by applying multiple
analysis [91].
Microplastics have a large specific surface area, which makes them an ideal habitat
for microorganisms to form biofilms. As a unique habitat, the adhesion and formation of biofilm on the microplastic would be affected by the plastic surface, the
surrounding environment, seasonal variation, as well as geographical location [92].
Harrison et al. reported that microorganisms have the ability to rapidly attach to LDPE
microplastics in coastal marine sediments [93]. In addition, Miao et al. suggested
that microplastics, as an ideal plastisphere, may be more abundant in microbial