Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
11
Published: Dec. 12, 2023
Microplastics
(MPs)
are
plastic
particles
<5
mm
in
size,
that
end
up
ultimately
marine
and
freshwater
ecosystems,
adversely
affecting
various
ecological
functions.
With
the
multifaceted
roles
of
fungi
their
diverse
modes
interaction
such
as
saprobic,
epibiotic,
endobiotic,
parasitic,
symbiotic
or
being
a
nutritionally
enriched
food
source
aquatic
effect
MPs
on
fungi–plankton
interactions
is
still
less
explored.
Properties
(i)
size
range
similar
to
those
microeukaryotes,
(ii)
substrate
for
unique
microbiota,
(iii)
ability
be
transported
from
faraway
waterbodies,
(iv)
sorption
pollutants,
have
adverse
effects
guilds
organization.
also
tend
alter
nutrient
cycling
inhibit
efficient
energy
transfer
through
microbial
mycoloop
an
ecosystem.
This
paper
comprehensively
reviews
at
population
community
level
complex
(fungi–phytoplankton–zooplankton)
with
emphasis
role
Examination
existing
literature
revealed
can
interfere
ecosystem
functioning
by
acting
synergy
fungi,
while
antagonistically
vice-versa.
Herein,
we
explore
current
understanding
major
components
web,
elaborating
MPs-mediated
changes
functioning,
identifying
research
gaps,
highlighting
need
future
research.
