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Smaller fibrous microplastics exert stronger multi-level effects on the intertidal mud crab (Macrophthalmus japonicus)
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Tiny plastic fibers, smaller than a grain of rice, turned out to be more harmful to mud crabs than larger plastic fibers, causing more deaths, damage to their gills, and buildup in their bodies. Since these crabs are part of the food chain that ends up on our plates, this research suggests that smaller microplastic fibers in our oceans could pose a bigger risk to seafood safety than previously thought.
Microplastics (MPs) are widespread in aquatic environments, with fibrous MPs (f_MPs) particularly dominant in both marine and freshwater ecosystems. This study examined the multi-level effects of exposure to f_MPs on the intertidal mud crab ( Macrophthalmus japonicus ). The survival rate declined more significantly following exposure to small f_MPs (sf_MPs) than to large f_MPs (lf_MPs). The gills accumulated more f_MPs than the hepatopancreas and stomach, while bioaccumulation levels were generally higher for sf_MPs than for lf_MPs. The accumulation of sf_MPs was highest after seven days of exposure for all tissues, whereas accumulation of lf_MPs was highest after four days in the gills and stomach. Morphological changes in the f_MPs were observed within crab tissues following uptake. It was also found that f_MP exposure changed the surface roughness of the exoskeleton, induced histological damage in the gills, increased the activity of antioxidant enzymes, altered the expression patterns of innate immune-related genes, and raised global DNA methylation levels. Overall, sf_MPs exhibited a greater toxic effect than lf_MPs. These findings highlight the environmental risks associated with f_MP exposure in benthic crustaceans such as M. japonicus , which are important indicators of the health of the food web and the safety of seafood for human consumption.
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