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Sparkling plastic: Effects of exposure to glitter on the Mediterranean mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis
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Researchers examined the effects of glitter microplastics on Mediterranean mussels and found that smaller particles were retained more in the digestive tract and induced greater oxidative stress, while crumbled glitter fragments amplified toxic responses.
Microbeads and fragments have been widely studied, while glitter remains neglected by the literature although found in a variety product (e.g., body paints, nail polish, cosmetics, craft products). The main aim of this study was to assess the effects of different types and concentrations of glitter particles on Mytilus galloprovincialis after 7 days of exposure. The experiment was divided into a preliminary test and a confirmatory test. Our findings support the hypothesis for a link between concentration and type of glitter particles, percentage of recovery and oxidative stress in M. galloprovincialis. There was a significant correlation between particle length and percentage of particles recovered in water, suggesting that the digestive tract of M. galloprovincialis retains smaller particles more. In addition, we noted an increase in antioxidant defense induced by smaller particles. Moreover, certain types of glitter crumbled and shortened in length, resulting in higher levels of oxidative stress biomarkers. Finally, the star-shaped glitter particles had a different effect on oxidative stress biomarkers. Further studies are needed to clarify the toxic effects of glitter on aquatic organisms and to quantify its proportion to other microplastics in the environment.
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Researchers exposed Mediterranean mussels to polyethylene microplastics at environmentally relevant concentrations and found significant reductions in filtration rate and signs of oxidative damage in the digestive gland. The study suggests that microplastics as small as 40-48 micrometers can disrupt antioxidant defenses in bivalves even at low concentrations, raising concerns about their impact on marine filter-feeders.
Ingestion of microplastics by Mediterranean mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis): Influence of particle size on histopathological and oxidative stress responses
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This study investigated how Mediterranean mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) respond to microplastic ingestion with varying particle sizes, examining histopathological changes and oxidative stress indicators in tissues. The findings reveal that microplastic exposure causes tissue-level damage and oxidative stress in commercially important shellfish, with implications for seafood safety.
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Mussels from fish farms in the eastern Mediterranean had the highest microplastic contamination, likely from plastic aquaculture equipment, while mussels from a Marine Protected Area had the lowest. The study found that higher microplastic levels in mussels were linked to measurable signs of oxidative stress, DNA damage, and nerve toxicity, showing that these filter-feeding shellfish -- commonly eaten by people -- are actively harmed by the plastic particles they ingest.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.