We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Location-dependent effect of microplastic leachates on the respiration rate of two engineering mussel species
AI summary Read the abstract
Microplastic leachates from beached pellets collected in France and Portugal had different effects on respiration rates of two mussel species, with French-derived leachates causing greater metabolic disruption than Portuguese ones, suggesting regional chemical composition differences matter for ecotoxicity.
Microplastics are ubiquitous in the world's oceans and pose serious environmental concerns, including their ingestion and the release of potentially toxic mixtures of intrinsic and extrinsic chemical compounds (i.e. leachates; MPLs). Mussels, as key intertidal bioengineers and filter-feeders are particularly susceptible to both exposure pathways. While the effects of microplastic ingestion have been widely investigated, research on the impacts of MPLs has only recently begun. This study examined the influence of MPLs derived from beached pellets collected in two separate regions, namely France and Portugal, on the respiration rates of two key ecosystem engineers, Mytilus edulis and Mytilus galloprovincialis. Possibly due to distinct mixtures of leached chemicals, unlike Portuguese-MPLs, exposure to French-MPLs significantly decreased the respiration rate of both mussel species. This research provides new insights into the physiological impacts of MPLs on bioengineer species, highlighting the importance of MP source and potential cascading effects at the ecosystem level. While we reported significant effects on mussel respiration after acute MPL exposure, future research should investigate long-term impacts and potential detoxification mechanisms to clarify the effects of MPs on mussel physiological performance and their potential consequences on specie fitness.
More Papers Like This
Plastic and natural inorganic microparticles do not differ in their effects on adult mussels (Mytilidae) from different geographic regions
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers compared the effects of plastic microparticles and natural inorganic particles on mussels from five geographic regions, finding no significant differences between particle types, suggesting that physical particle stress rather than plastic-specific chemistry drives observed effects.
Influence of the reproductive cycle and sex on microplastic toxicity in mussels
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers examined how sex and reproductive stage affect the toxicity of plastic leachates in mussels, finding that biological factors like reproductive cycle significantly influence how marine invertebrates respond to plastic chemical contamination.
Could Mussel Populations Be Differentially Threatened by the Presence of Microplastics and Related Chemicals?
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed mussels to polyamide microplastics and the plastic additive tricresyl phosphate, both independently and in combination, for 28 days. Independent exposure significantly inhibited antioxidant and neurotransmitter enzyme activities, but when both contaminants were combined, most biomarker responses returned to control levels. A comparison between Atlantic and Mediterranean mussel populations revealed that baseline detoxification defenses differed, suggesting that different populations may respond differently to plastic-related contamination.
In-depth characterization revealed polymer type and chemical content specific effects of microplastic on Dreissena bugensis
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed the freshwater mussel Dreissena bugensis to well-characterized microplastics of different polymer types and chemical compositions, finding that toxic effects varied by polymer type and additive content rather than particle size alone, highlighting the importance of chemical characterization in microplastic ecotoxicology studies.
Effects of microplastics on bivalves: Are experimental settings reflecting conditions in the field?
AI summary Read the abstract
A critical comparison of experimental microplastic studies on bivalves found that most laboratory studies used particle concentrations far exceeding environmental levels and polymer types that differ from field observations, concluding that many reported toxic effects may not be ecologically relevant and calling for environmentally realistic experimental designs.
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.