Journal of Freshwater Ecology

Micro- and Nanoplastics in Freshwater Ecosystems: Bioaccumulation, Fate, and Ecological Impacts

Micro- and nanoplastics, plastic particles less than 5 mm in size, are of growing concern due to their ability to accumulate and persist in freshwater ecosystems with largely unknown consequences on biota and ecosystem dynamics. Plastic production continues to dominate manufacturing, presumably due to its advantages in consumer goods. Despite plastic persistence in ecosystems, microplastic pollution derived from plastics present a complex challenge. Their diverse physical and chemical characteristics, and their ability to interact with biological and environmental processes makes understanding their fate and impacts in freshwater systems of ultimate importance. Increasing evidence of microplastic uptake by aquatic organisms and transfer through food webs has raised concerns about potential consequences for organismal health, biodiversity, and ecosystem dynamics.

Plastic pollution is a pervasive global environmental issue, with micro- and nanoplastic particles an increasingly urgent concern for freshwater ecosystems worldwide. Addressing this requires a clearer understanding of source and transport of micro- and nanoplastics in freshwater systems, the pathways by which organisms take them up, the bioaccumulation in foodwebs, and the ultimate fate. This Article Collection aims to bring together current research on these topics to advance our understanding of micro- and nanoplastic dynamics in freshwater ecosystems.

Papers analysing impacts of microplastics on freshwater ecosystems through observations or laboratory study are particularly encouraged.

We encourage the submission of articles on the subtopics:

1. Bioaccumulation, uptake, or trophic transfer of micro- and nanoplastics in water, sediments, aquatic organisms, and food webs across streams, rivers, and lakes.
2. Modelling of micro- and nanoplastic bioaccumulation in field or laboratory setting
3. Sources, transport pathways, and fate of micro- and nanoplastics in freshwater systems, from sources to receiving waters, including identification and tracking of microplastic sources.
4. Toxicological and ecological effects of micro- and nanoplastic exposure on freshwater organisms and ecosystems, including physiological, behavioral, reproductive, and impacts to biodiversity and ecosystem dynamics.
5. Interactions between micro- and nanoplastics and co-occurring contaminants, including their effects on contaminant transport, bioavailability, exposure, and toxicity.

Keywords:

1. Freshwater microplastics
2. Microplastic fate and transport
3. Microplastic bioaccumulation and trophic transfer
4. Microplastic toxicity and ecological effects
5. Microplastics and co-occurring contaminants

­­All manuscripts submitted to this Article Collection will undergo a full peer-review; the Guest Advisor for this Collection will not be handling the manuscripts (unless they are an Editorial Board member).

Please review the journal scope and author submission instructions prior to submitting a manuscript.

The deadline for submitting manuscripts is June 18, 2027.

Please contact Kara Roberts at kara.roberts@taylorandfrancis.com with any queries and discount codes regarding this Article Collection.

Please be sure to select the appropriate Article Collection from the drop-down menu in the submission system.

Guest Advisors do not declare any potential conflicts of interests in line with our Editorial Policies.

Dr. Christopher J. Grant is an Associate Professor of Biology at Juniata College. His research explores factors impacting organism health and ecosystem dynamics with a special interest in contaminant bioaccumulation and conservation of native species. Most recently his research focuses on bioaccumulation and trophic transfer of microplastics in freshwater ecosystems.

Dr. Monica M. Arienzo is an Associate Research Professor in the Division of Hydrologic Sciences at the Desert Research Institute. Her research applies geochemical methods to trace anthropogenic contaminants across environmental archives, from Arctic and Antarctic ice cores to wildfire impacts to water quality. More recently, her research focuses on microplastics in snowpack, rivers, sediments, and drinking water supplies.