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Evidence of polystyrene nanoplastic contamination and potential impacts in Mya arenaria clams in the Saint-Lawrence estuary (Canada)
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Researchers developed fluorescence-based and size exclusion chromatography methods to detect polystyrene nanoplastics in wild soft-shell clams from the Saint-Lawrence estuary, finding evidence of nanoplastic contamination and associated health impacts near pollution sources.
Plastic materials found in the environment are expected to degrade into smaller plastic nanoparticles (NPs) posing a greater toxic risk because they sorb contaminants and pass physiological barriers. Moreover the presence and effects of NPs is difficult to tease out from the contamination background at polluted sites. The purpose of this study was to examine for the presence of polystyrene NPs in feral Mya arenaria clam population near anthropogenic sources of pollution and potential toxic effects. Polystyrene NPs were determined by a newly developed fluorescence-based and size exclusion chromatography methodologies. Clam health status was determined by following changes in air survival time, condition factor, growth, alcohol/aldehyde dehydrogenase (AADH), protein aggregation and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). In addition, multi-elemental analysis in tissues was also determined. The results revealed that clams collected at 2 polluted sites contained elevated amounts of polystyrene-like NPs between 10 and 110 nm in size based on size exclusion chromatography. Elevated levels of AADH suggest the presence of hydroxylated products and were correlated with plastic NPs in tissues. Moreover, principal component analysis revealed that As, Ca, Cu, Sn and V were closely related to either polystyrene-like NPs in tissues or AADH activity. Although we cannot rule out other pollutants, clams contaminated by polystyrene-like NPs had lower condition, growth rate, air survival time and LDH activity. Increased metal/element contamination reported to sorb onto plastic polymers were also related to NPs in tissues. In conclusion, clams populations close to anthropogenic sources of pollution show evidence of polystyrene-like NPs contamination and could contribute to decreased clam health status.
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Contamination Profile and Health Status of Mya arenaria in the Saint-Lawrence River-Saguenay Fjord Marine Park
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Clams living near harbors and even in a protected beluga whale habitat showed high levels of nanoplastics, chemical pollutants, and metals, along with signs of physical stress like thinner shells. Since clams are eaten by fish, whales, and humans, this suggests pollution and plastic contamination may be working their way up the food chain more widely than expected.
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