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Tissue-specific accumulation and integrated toxicological responses of the Pacific oyster, Crassostrea gigas, to chronic polyethylene microplastic exposure: An empirical toxicokinetic interpretation
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Scientists found that oysters exposed to microplastics for weeks build up the most plastic in their digestive glands, and this buildup was linked to stress hormones, liver-related enzymes, and immune changes. Since oysters are widely eaten, this suggests microplastic pollution could affect the health and safety of seafood, though more research is needed to know what this means for humans.
Microplastic (MP) bioaccumulation is increasingly recognized as a critical determinant of toxicological outcomes in aquatic organisms; however, the relationships between tissue-specific accumulation patterns and subsequent biological responses remain insufficiently understood. This study investigated polyethylene microplastic (PE-MP) bioaccumulation and associated toxicological responses in the Pacific oyster, Crassostrea gigas, under chronic exposure conditions (0-1000 μg/L) for 2 and 4 weeks. PE-MPs accumulated in a concentration-dependent manner and were consistently retained at higher levels in the digestive gland than in the gills. Empirical toxicokinetic interpretation indicated greater apparent accumulation rates and organ partitioning ratios in the digestive gland, suggesting preferential tissue retention during prolonged exposure. Multiple linear regression and random forest analyses further identified organ type, exposure duration, and exposure concentration as the primary determinants of internal PE-MP accumulation. Elevated accumulation was accompanied by coordinated alterations in hemolymph biochemical parameters, antioxidant defenses, and stress biomarkers, including increased glucose, AST, ALT, cortisol, SOD, CAT, and HSP70 levels, together with reduced total protein and calcium concentrations. Principal component analysis and integrated biomarker response analysis revealed clear concentration-dependent biological disturbances, particularly at 800 and 1000 μg/L. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that tissue-specific accumulation patterns are closely associated with integrated physiological, oxidative, and stress-related responses in C. gigas. The accumulation-based framework applied in this study highlights the value of incorporating bioaccumulation patterns into ecotoxicological assessments for improved interpretation of chronic MP toxicity in marine organisms.
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Scientists found that tiny plastic particles (from everyday polyethylene, used in bags and packaging) cause real damage to oysters—stressing their cells, disrupting their metabolism, and weakening their immune systems—and smaller particles caused more harm than larger ones. Since oysters are commonly eaten seafood that filter these particles from water, this research is a reminder that the microplastics accumulating in our oceans could be building up in the food we eat, making it important to understand these effects as we assess risks to both marine life and human health.
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Researchers exposed oysters to irregularly shaped polyethylene and PET microplastics at two concentrations for 21 days and measured accumulation, energy metabolism, and tissue damage. They found that the microplastics accumulated in oyster tissues, disrupted energy metabolism, and caused histological damage, with effects varying by polymer type and concentration. The study suggests that environmentally realistic microplastic shapes and concentrations can cause measurable harm to commercially important shellfish species.
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Researchers exposed Pacific oysters to polystyrene microplastics for 21 days and found the particles caused oxidative stress and disrupted the oysters' metabolism, particularly amino acid processing. Different microplastic concentrations triggered different metabolic changes in the oysters. Since oysters are a popular seafood, these findings raise questions about food safety and whether microplastic-stressed shellfish could affect consumer health.
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Scientists collected oysters from a Chinese coastal city and found microplastics in all samples, then investigated how microplastics interact with trace metals in vivo, finding that plastic particles and metals co-accumulated in tissues and that plastics may alter metal bioavailability.
The physiological response of the clam Ruditapes philippinarum and scallop Chlamys farreri to varied concentrations of microplastics exposure
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Researchers exposed two types of shellfish (clams and scallops) to polyethylene and PET microplastics and found that both species accumulated the particles in their digestive glands and gills. The exposure caused oxidative stress, disrupted energy and fat metabolism, and damaged tissue, with PET generally being more toxic than polyethylene. Since these are commonly eaten shellfish, the findings raise concerns about microplastic contamination affecting the safety of seafood for human consumers.
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