Assessment of the Effects of Physical Disturbances in Simple Micro-Universes by Measurement of DOC-levels

Abstract

An increasing problem with today’s way of living is the rising of anthropologically influenced pollutions. Quite recently has research been directed towards the effects and consequences these disturbances may cause within freshwater environments, which has inspired this study. Hoping to assess the effects of different disturbances that are likely to occur in lakes, DOC-levels (Dissolved Organic Carbon) were measured to get an idea of what might happen to the microbial ecology when these are introduced. The research was conducted by introducing a heavy reduction of bacteria, micro plastics, SDS (Sodium dodecyl sulfate) and micro plastics and SDS together to enclosed environments. The purpose of this, and also the aims of this study being to 1) find out of DOC-levels were affected, if 2) a difference could be observed between exposure to micro plastics + SDS versus micro plastics and SDS alone, and 3) to assess the recovery after each disturbance. Following exposure DOC-levels remained generally unchanged in the reduced bacteria and micro plastics mesocosms, whereas these levels were heavily reduced after exposure to SDS. It was also found that SDS + micro plastics required a shorter exposure time before mortality was observed than SDS alone, and resulted in a much higher mortality rate than micro plastics alone.