We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Effect of High-Density Polyethylene Microplastics on the Survival and Development of Eastern Oyster (Crassostrea virginica) Larvae
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that high-density polyethylene microplastics negatively affected the survival and development of Eastern oyster larvae, a keystone reef-building species in the Chesapeake Bay, raising concerns about microplastic pollution impacts on estuarine ecosystems.
Microplastic (MP) pollution is a growing global concern-especially in estuarine areas that serve as natural habitats and nurseries for many marine organisms. One such marine organism is the Eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica), which is a reef-forming keystone species in the Chesapeake Bay, the largest estuary in the United States. To understand the potential impacts of MP pollution on the estuary ecosystem, the effects of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) MPs on Eastern oyster larval survival and development were investigated. Three cohorts of larvae were exposed to HDPE MPs with a size of 10-90 µm at a 10 mg/L concentration, after 7 to 11 days of fertilization. After exposure, the number and size of oyster larvae were measured twice a week for approximately 2 weeks until larval settlement. The experiment found that there were no significant differences in the rate of survival between the control and MP-addition treatments. However, we noticed that larval development was significantly delayed with the MP treatment. The percentage of larvae that were ready to settle was 64% with the control treatment compared to 43.5% with the MP treatment. This delay in growth resulted in a delayed larval settlement, which could adversely affect the survival of the Eastern oyster due to the increased risk of predation. The current study demonstrates that MPs could be a risk to the ecology of estuaries, and plastic pollution management is needed for the preservation of these estuaries.
More Papers Like This
Prevalence of Microplastics in the Eastern Oyster Crassostrea virginica in the Chesapeake Bay: The Impact of Different Digestion Methods on Microplastic Properties
AI summary Read the abstract
Eastern oysters from three Chesapeake Bay sites were found to contain microplastics, with hydrogen peroxide and potassium hydroxide digestion methods yielding the highest recovery rates, while nitric acid produced satisfactory results with better microplastic preservation.
MICROPLASTICS FOUND IN THE EASTERN OYSTER (Crassostrea virginica) AND THE SURROUNDING ENVIRONMENT
AI summary Read the abstract
Eastern oysters and surrounding water and sediment samples were collected from a US estuary and analyzed for microplastic content. Microplastics were found in both oysters and environmental matrices, though the oysters did not accumulate particles proportionally to environmental concentrations, suggesting selective ingestion. The study contributes to understanding how commercially important bivalves interact with microplastics in their natural habitat and what this means for seafood safety.
Microplastic Content in Oysters (Crassostrea virginica) from South Carolina, USA
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers analyzed microplastic content in oysters, water, and sediments from four estuaries in South Carolina, USA, quantifying contamination levels across these matrices in the commercially important Eastern oyster Crassostrea virginica.
High density polyethylene (HDPE) microplastics impair development and swimming activity of Pacific oyster D-larvae, Crassostrea gigas, depending on particle size
AI summary Read the abstract
Pacific oyster D-larvae exposed for 24 hours to high-density polyethylene microplastics showed size- and concentration-dependent developmental abnormalities and reduced swimming activity, with smaller particles (4–6 µm) causing greater harm than larger ones at equivalent mass concentrations.
Physiological impacts of microplastics on the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas: The role of particle size and concentration
AI summary Read the abstract
Laboratory experiments on Pacific oysters exposed to microplastics of varying sizes and concentrations found decreased survival rates, increased oxygen consumption, and histological damage to digestive and gill tissues, with effects scaling with concentration. Oysters are global seafood staples and efficient bioaccumulators, meaning physiological damage at environmentally relevant concentrations translates directly into concerns about both aquatic ecosystem health and the safety of oysters in the human diet.
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.