Microplastics alter the functioning of marine microbial ecosystems

Microplastics pervade ocean ecosystems. Despite their effects on individuals or populations are well documented, the consequences of microplastics on ecosystem functioning are still largely unknown. Here, we show how microplastics alter the structure and functioning of pelagic microbial ecosystems. Using experimental pelagic mesocosms, we found that microplastics indirectly affect marine productivity by changing the bacterial and phytoplankton assemblages. Specifically, the addition of microplastics increased phytoplankton biomass and shifted bacterial assemblages' composition. Such changes altered the interactions between heterotrophic and autotrophic microbes and the cycling of ammonia in the water column, which ultimately benefited photosynthetic efficiency. The effects of microplastics on marine productivity were consistent for different microplastic types. This study demonstrates that microplastics affect bacteria and phytoplankton communities and influence marine productivity, which ultimately alters the functioning of the whole ocean ecosystem. Although microplastics are increasingly considered a global environmental challenge, their effects on communities and ecosystems are not clear. By using experimental mesocosms, we report that microplastics are able to alter the composition of both bacteria and phytoplankton communities and the interactions between them. Changes induced by microplastics on microbial dynamics have potential impacts on the functioning and services provided by oceans, in particular on ocean productivity.