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Microplastic accumulation and ecological impacts on benthic invertebrates: Insights from a microcosm experiment

Marine Pollution Bulletin 2024 19 citations ? Citation count from OpenAlex, updated daily. May differ slightly from the publisher's own count. Score: 60 ? 0–100 AI score estimating relevance to the microplastics field. Papers below 30 are filtered from public browse.

Adriano Sfriso, Michele Mistri, Cristina Munari, Cristina Munari, Michele Mistri, Cristina Munari, Cristina Munari, Cristina Munari, Michele Mistri, Michele Mistri, Cristina Munari, Michele Mistri Michele Mistri, Yari Tomio, Abdul-Salam Juhmani, Muhammad Adeel, Muhammad Adeel, Muhammad Adeel, Muhammad Adeel, Adriano Sfriso, Adriano Sfriso, Muhammad Adeel, Adriano Sfriso, Muhammad Adeel, Adriano Sfriso, Muhammad Adeel, Abdul-Salam Juhmani, Yari Tomio, Michele Mistri, Yari Tomio, Abdul-Salam Juhmani, Adriano Sfriso, Adriano Sfriso, Cristina Munari, Abdul-Salam Juhmani, Cristina Munari, Cristina Munari, Muhammad Adeel, Cristina Munari, Adriano Sfriso, Yari Tomio, Adriano Sfriso, Cristina Munari, Michele Mistri, Muhammad Adeel, Adriano Sfriso, Michele Mistri, Cristina Munari, Cristina Munari, Adriano Sfriso, Cristina Munari, Cristina Munari, Muhammad Adeel, Cristina Munari, Adriano Sfriso, Michele Mistri, Adriano Sfriso, Cristina Munari, Cristina Munari, Cristina Munari, Cristina Munari, Cristina Munari, Michele Mistri, Flavio Rizzolio, Cristina Munari, Michele Mistri, Michele Mistri, Cristina Munari, Cristina Munari, Muhammad Adeel, Cristina Munari, Cristina Munari, Michele Mistri, Cristina Munari, Michele Mistri, Mohammad Wahsha, Michele Mistri, Cristina Munari, Cristina Munari, Cristina Munari, Michele Mistri, Michele Mistri

Summary

In a month-long experiment, researchers exposed marine invertebrates like mussels and clams to small microplastics and found that the particles accumulated mainly in the gut, gills, and reproductive organs. Different species absorbed different types and sizes of microplastics, and bottom-dwelling organisms suffered energy loss from the exposure. Since many of these species are consumed as seafood, their microplastic accumulation represents a direct pathway for human exposure.

Polymers

Body Systems

Reproductive

Models

Invertebrate other

Study Type Environmental

Microplastic (MP) pollution poses a global concern, especially for benthic invertebrates. This one-month study investigated the accumulation of small MP polymers (polypropylene and polyester resin, 3-500 μm, 250 μg L) in benthic invertebrates and on one alga species. Results revealed species-specific preferences for MP size and type, driven by ingestion, adhesion, or avoidance behaviours. Polyester resin accumulated in Mytilus galloprovincialis, Chamelea gallina, Hexaplex trunculus, and Paranemonia cinerea, while polypropylene accumulated on Ulva rigida. Over time, MP accumulation decreased in count but not size, averaging 6.2 ± 5.0 particles per individual after a month. MP were mainly found inside of the organisms, especially in the gut, gills, and gonads and externally adherent MP ranged from 11 to 35 % of the total. Biochemical energy assessments after two weeks of MP exposure indicated energy gains for water column species but energy loss for sediment-associated species, highlighting the susceptibility of infaunal benthic communities to MP contamination.

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