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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.
Microplastics (MPs) pollution's impact on the marine ecosystem is widely recognized. This study compared the effects of polyethylene (PE) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) on two bivalve species, Ruditapes philippinarum (clam) and Chlamys farreri (scallop), at two particle concentrations (10 and 1000 μg/L). MPs were found in the digestive glands and gills of both species. Although clearance rates showed no significant changes, exposure to different MPs caused oxidative stress, energy disruption, and lipid metabolism disorders in both clam and scallop. Histopathological damage was observed in gills and digestive glands. IBR values indicated increasing toxicity with concentration, with PET being more toxic than PE. WOE model suggested increasing hazard with concentration, highlighting higher PET toxicity on clam digestive glands. In contrast, PE hazard increased in gills, showing different species responses. R. philippinarum exhibited higher sensitivity to MPs than C. farreri, providing insights for assessing ecological risk under realistic conditions and stress conditions.
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Toxic cascade from oxidative stress to metabolic imbalance in Manila clams exposed to polyethylene terephthalate microplastics.
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Manila clams were exposed to PET plastic particles (different sizes and shapes) mixed into sediment for 21 days. The plastics built up in their gills and digestive glands, causing oxidative stress, inflammation and signs of cellular damage, with larger, fragment-shaped particles causing stronger effects than smaller or fiber-shaped ones.
Toxic effects of exposure to microplastics with environmentally relevant shapes and concentrations: Accumulation, energy metabolism and tissue damage in oyster Crassostrea gigas
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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.
Physiological and cellular responses of Manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum exposed to different shapes and sizes of polyethylene terephthalate microplastics
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This study exposed Manila clams to PET microplastics of different shapes (fragments and fibers) and sizes for 28 days, finding that fibrous microplastics caused greater oxidative stress and lysosomal membrane destabilization than fragments and that smaller particles produced stronger physiological responses.
Impact of polyethylene microplastics on the clam Ruditapes decussatus (Mollusca: Bivalvia): examination of filtration rate, growth, and immunomodulation
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Researchers exposed clams to polyethylene microplastics at three different concentrations for 14 days and measured the effects on feeding, growth, and immune function. They found that higher microplastic concentrations reduced the clams' ability to filter water and caused weight loss, while also disrupting immune cell integrity. The study demonstrates that microplastic pollution can impair both the feeding efficiency and immune defenses of shellfish.
Effects of nanoplastics on clam Ruditapes philippinarum at environmentally realistic concentrations: Toxicokinetics, toxicity, and gut microbiota
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Researchers exposed clams to nanoplastics at concentrations found in real marine environments and tracked how the particles accumulated in their tissues over 14 days. The nanoplastics caused physical damage and significantly altered the clams' gut bacteria. This is concerning because clams are widely consumed seafood, meaning nanoplastic contamination could affect both marine ecosystems and human food sources.
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