Fate of Microplastic Fibers in the Coelomic Fluid of the Sea Cucumber Apostichopus japonicus

Sea cucumbers are economical and ecologically important species, playing a crucial role in nutrient recycling in the ocean and providing valuable bioactive compounds for nutrition. Previous research has demonstrated that microplastic fibers, which are widely recognized as emerging contaminants, are transferred to the perivisceral coelomic fluid during respiration in sea cucumbers; however, their fate in sea cucumbers is still not well understood. We tracked the status of sea cucumbers (Apostichopus japonicus) with polyester microplastic fibers in their coelomic fluid in clean water. The results showed that after transferring sea cucumbers to clean water, the number of microplastic fibers transferred significantly decreased in the coelomic fluid, but at least one microplastic fiber was found up to 60 days. In addition, sea cucumbers recovered from the effect of microplastic fiber transfer, as indicated by enzyme levels and histological observations. Furthermore, single microplastic fiber transfer over a 60-day farmed period did not significantly affect the growth of sea cucumbers. However, repetitive microplastic fiber transfer (i.e., twice and thrice a week over 60 days) significantly decreased the growth rate (p < 0.05). Accordingly, increasing microplastic fibers in sea cucumber habitats pose a threat to sea cucumbers because they can disrupt development. Thus, farmers are advised to select locations for farming sea cucumbers where low microplastic fiber concentrations are expected. Environ Toxicol Chem 2023;42:205-212. © 2022 SETAC.