Microscopic plastic debris, termed “microplastics”, are of increasing environmental concern.
Recent studies have demonstrated that a range of zooplankton, including copepods, can
ingest microplastics. Copepods are a globally abundant class of zooplankton that form a key
trophic link between primary producers and higher trophic marine organisms. Here we
demonstrate that ingestion of microplastics can significantly alter the feeding capacity of the
pelagic copepod Calanus helgolandicus. Exposed to 20 μm polystyrene beads (75 …