We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Impact of textile microfiber ingestion on the tissue integrity of the mangrove oyster Crassostrea gasar.
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed mangrove oysters to four textile microfiber types — including polyester and organic cotton — and found that polyester accumulated most heavily in the digestive gland, while all fiber types caused significant gill tissue atrophy, mucocyte proliferation, and histological lesions within 21 days, indicating that fiber composition and concentration both drive structural damage in bivalves.
Oysters are crucial in coastal ecosystems and are vulnerable to ingesting textile microfibers (MFs) from their environment, which can accumulate in their gills and digestive glands. This study examines the effects of MFs at concentrations of 0.11 mg. L and 1.00 mg. L on Crassostrea gasar (C. gasar) over 7, 14, and 21 days of exposure, using different types of fiber: conventional cotton, polyester, mixed, and organic cotton. The digestive gland was identified as the primary site of microfiber (MF) accumulation, with polyester showing the highest retention, which may impair digestive function. Gill morphometric analyses revealed significant reductions in filament length, width, and interlamellar space, indicating severe tissue atrophy with possible consequences for respiration and immune defense. An increase in mucocyte density and a reduction in the condition index observed after 7 days of exposure suggest a rapid decline in organism health, likely associated with digestive gland damage. Histopathological analyses further demonstrated severe lesions in the gills and alterations in digestive tubules, including hyperplasia and necrosis. Overall, the results indicate that all tested textile MFs can be retained and accumulate in bivalve tissues, causing histopathological damage and reducing physiological condition, thereby highlighting bivalves' high susceptibility to MF pollution in coastal environments.
More Papers Like This
Ingestion and depuration of polyester microfibers by Crassostrea gasar (Adanson, 1757).
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed the oyster Crassostrea gasar to environmentally sourced polyester microfibers at 0.5 mg/L and found accumulation in gill and digestive gland tissues, with evidence of clearance after a depuration period, raising concerns about microfiber effects on bivalve aquaculture.
Impact of polyester and cotton microfibers on growth and sublethal biomarkers in juvenile mussels
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed juvenile mussels to polyester and cotton microfibers at realistic ocean concentrations for 94 days and found that polyester microfibers reduced mussel growth rates by up to 36%, suggesting that microplastic fiber pollution could harm marine ecosystems and threaten shellfish aquaculture.
Mucus Production as a Strategy of Oysters Against Synthetic Textile Microfibers
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that oysters exposed to synthetic textile microfibers responded by producing elevated levels of protective mucus in their mantle tissue. This mucus response represents a physiological defense mechanism against microplastic ingestion but may incur energetic costs to the organism.
Do Environmentally Relevant Concentrations of Microplastics Pose a Threat to the Eastern Oyster, Crassostrea Virginica?
AI summary Read the abstract
This study exposed eastern oysters to polyester microfibers at environmentally realistic concentrations for 45 days, finding that even low doses affected their physiology including feeding, growth, and energy use. The results suggest that ecologically relevant microplastic levels may pose a threat to commercially important filter-feeding shellfish.
Impacts of microplastic fibres on the marine mussel, Mytilus galloprovinciallis
AI summary Read the abstract
Scientists exposed marine mussels to dryer lint as a proxy for microplastic fibers from laundry and found physiological changes including reduced clearance rates and histopathological damage to gill and digestive gland tissue.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.