Uthpala Apekshani Jayawardena
Biography
Senior lecturer in Zoology with research interests on Eco-toxicology, nanotoxicology, immunology and parasitology. Competitive skills in multidisciplinary technologies including molecular parasitology and immunology, bioinformatics and geoinformatics. Served as a resource person in many health, educational and nature workshops conducted by the government and non-profit organizations. Areas of expertise include Ecotoxicology, Parasitology and immunology.
Research Interest
Eco-Toxicology, Nanotoxicology, Immunology and Parasitology
Abstract
Microplastics in Marine Ecosystems: Trophic Transfer and Ecological Consequences
Department of Zoology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, The Open University of Sri Lanka Micro and nano plastics (MPs), due to their small size, are widely bioavailable in marine ecosystems, affecting various taxa including zooplankton, invertebrates, fish, seabirds, and marine mammals. MPs enter organisms either through direct ingestion—via accidental consumption or misidentification as food—or indirectly through trophic transfer from contaminated prey. Suspension feeders, such as bivalve larvae and mysid shrimps, are particularly vulnerable, consuming MPs at significantly higher rates than other species. Predators at higher trophic levels are exposed to MPs through multiple pathways, including direct ingestion from water and indirect ingestion via prey. Experimental studies confirm the transfer of MPs through marine food webs, with ingestion rates increasing in longer food chains. Fish species ingest MPs through suction feeding and trophic transfer, with pelagic fish consuming more MP particles and benthic fish ingesting more MP fibers. Marine mammals, such as striped dolphins, can ingest hundreds of millions of MPs through prey consumption, while seabirds also exhibit high MP prevalence due to trophic transfer. The ecological and health implications of MPs ingestion are concerning. MPs interfere with food consumption in species like Daphnia sp., accumulate in oyster tissues, and trigger stress responses in corals. MPs also act as vectors for toxic contaminants such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), pesticides, and heavy metals, leading to bioaccumulation in marine predators and potential risks to human health. Seafood consumption, especially of species where the gastrointestinal tract is ingested, may pose an exposure risk. To mitigate these risks, further research is essential to understand the dynamics of MPs in marine food webs, their potential biomagnification, and their long-term impact on human health. Addressing microplastic pollution is critical for marine biodiv
