Whilst microbeads were present in the host sediment matrix, they were not detected in Tubifex worm tissue. FT-IR analysis revealed ingestion of a range of polymer types, including polyethylene terephthalate (polyester) and acrylic fibres. 87% of the Tubifex-ingested microplastic particles were microfibres (55 - 4100 µm in length), whilst the remaining 13% were microplastic fragments (50 - 4500 µm in length). The host sediments had microplastic concentrations ranging from 56 to 2543 particles kg-1. Here we demonstrate the ingestion of microplastic particles by Tubifex tubifex from bottom sediments in a major urban waterbody fed by the River Irwell, Manchester, UK. The ingestion of microplastics by freshwater invertebrates has not been reported outside the laboratory. ![]() ![]() Microplastics can be ingested by organisms leading to negative physiological impacts. Microplastic contamination of the aquatic environment is a global issue.
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