Plastic waste interferes with communication in aquatic ecosystems

Plastic waste affects aquatic organisms in a way that has so far received little attention: Chemical cues, which are crucial for interspecific communication among aquatic organisms, accumulate on the surface of plastic particles and can therefore no longer fulfil their ecological functions. This has been shown by scientists of the animal ecology group in BayCEER in a new study using the model system Daphnia (waterfleas). The organisms form defensive structures in response to chemical cues released by their predators. However, these defences are significantly reduced in the presence of plastic waste. The scientists presented their findings in the journal Scientific Reports.