Mikroplastika u slatkovodnim ekosistemima: in-situ i ex-situ istraživanja na odabranim model organizmima makrobeskičmenjaka

Abstract

In this doctoral dissertation, the influence of the most common types of microplastic polymers on different levels of biological and ecological organization of benthic macroinvertebrates in freshwater ecosystems is analyzed. Multiparametric bioassays were conducted, based on OECD protocols Nos. 218 and 219, on the model species Chironomus riparius (Meigen, 1804). The influence of the mixture of microplastic particles (PET, PS, PVC, PA, PE, PP) on a series of standard biomarkers (morality, survival, time and rate of development and emergence) was analyzed. Using the method of geometric morphometry, the influence on the morphological structures of larvae (mentums and mandibles), as well as adults (wings) was analyzed. OECD tests have been applied in ex-situ environmental conditions, but also on populations of the same species in in-situ mesocosms in the lake ecosystem. The negative influence of microplastic polymers on the time of larval development and on the delay of adult hatching has been proven. Exposure of individuals to microplastic particles resulted in changes in the morphological structures of larvae and adults. An analysis of the degree of influence of the mixture of microplastic polymers (PE, PA and PVC) on the structure of the macroinvertebrate community of the pristine pond ecosystem was performed, where 16 % of the difference in diversity between control and treatment was observed. For the first time, an analysis of the presence of microplastic particles in the Danube basin was performed, using selected species from the macroinvertebrate community. The analysis of the chemical composition of isolated microplastic particles from the tissue model of the species Corbicula fluminea (Müller, 1774) is the first analysis in the Danube basin at 2040 riverine kilometers. Micro-FTIR spectroscopic analysis confirmed the presence of microplastic particles in the tissue of Asian clams, with a dominant presence of polyethylene terephthalate.