Microplastics and microfibers (hereafter referred to as “microplastics”) are a pressing threat to aquatic ecosystems and have been the topic of much recent research. This research has documented quantities and locations of microplastic accumulation in many marine and freshwater environments. However, an important emerging topic is the extent to which these microplastics are making their way into the aquatic organisms that inhabit these environments and the potential consequences of their presence in organismal guts, tissues, and food webs.
In this special issue on Microplastics in marine and freshwater organisms: Presence and potential effects, we highlight and address some of the many remaining questions. Articles in the issue examine the following: occurrence in freshwater fish, effects in freshwater plants, reproductive effects, trophic transfer, sensitivity in early life stages, spatiotemporal variability in microplastics, connections between feeding strategies, and microplastic ingestion among others.
Special Issue Guest Editors:
Elise Granek, Portland State University
Susanne Brander, Oregon State University
Erika Holland, California State University-Long Beach