We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Microplastic Contamination in Pacific Oysters (Crassostrea Gigas) from Haizhou Bay: Tissue-Specific Distribution, Digestive Enzyme Dysfunction, and Lipid Metabolism Perturbation
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers studied Pacific oysters from Haizhou Bay and found microplastics, mainly PET, PE and PVC, built up more in gills with age. Lab tests showed these plastics reduced digestive enzyme activity and changed fatty acid levels in oysters, indicating disrupted digestion and energy processing.
Abstract In this study, we systematically evaluated the distribution characteristics of microplastics in the Pacific oyster ( Crassostrea gigas ) from Haizhou Bay and their effects on digestive enzyme activities and fatty acid metabolism. Through field sampling and laboratory exposure experiments, the abundance of microplastics in the gills, hepatopancreas, and integumentary muscles of the oyster was found to increase linearly with age (R² = 0.112-0.211), with gill tissues accumulating the highest amount. Microplastics in environmental media were dominated by PET, PE, and PVC, which were highly consistent with the contamination profile in oysters, suggesting a direct exposure risk. Laboratory simulations showed that PMMA, PVC, PET and PE microplastics (300, 600, 900 μg/L) significantly inhibited the activities of glutathione reductase (gr), trypsin, lipase and amylase, with a 50% decrease in gr activity in the high concentration group (p < 0.05). Mechanistic analysis showed that microplastics induced oxidative stress through adsorption of pollutants, depletion of reduced glutathione, and physical damage to cells. Fatty acid composition analysis showed that short-term exposure resulted in a significant increase in palmitic acid and arachidonic acid, while DHA and monounsaturated fatty acids significantly decreased, revealing disturbed energy metabolism and impaired membrane function. This study reveals for the first time the dual toxic effects of microplastics on oyster digestive enzymes and fatty acid metabolism, providing a new perspective for marine ecological risk assessment. In the future, it is necessary to combine long-term exposure experiments and histological techniques to further analyze the compound toxicity mechanism of microplastics.
More Papers Like This
Microplastic Contamination in Pacific Oysters (Crassostrea gigas) from Haizhou Bay: Tissue-Specific Distribution, Digestive Enzyme Dysfunction, and Lipid Metabolism Perturbation
AI summary Read the abstract
This study systematically evaluated microplastic distribution in Pacific oysters from Haizhou Bay, China, finding MP contamination across all tissues examined and documenting that MP accumulation altered digestive enzyme activities and fatty acid metabolism in these commercially harvested shellfish.
Tissue-specific accumulation and integrated toxicological responses of the Pacific oyster, Crassostrea gigas, to chronic polyethylene microplastic exposure: An empirical toxicokinetic interpretation
AI summary Read the abstract
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.
Microplastics alter digestive enzyme activities in the marine bivalve, Mytilus galloprovincialis
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers incubated Mediterranean mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) with polystyrene and polyethylene microplastics and measured changes in digestive enzyme activity, finding significant reductions in amylase and protease activity, suggesting that microplastics impair nutrient digestion in filter-feeding bivalves.
Toxic effects of exposure to microplastics with environmentally relevant shapes and concentrations: Accumulation, energy metabolism and tissue damage in oyster Crassostrea gigas
AI summary Read the abstract
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.
Metabolic profiles and protein expression responses of Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas) to polystyrene microplastic stress
AI summary Read the abstract
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.
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.