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Physiological impacts of microplastics on the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas: The role of particle size and concentration
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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.
Microplastic (MP) pollution has emerged as a pressing environmental concern over the past few decades. Among filter-feeding bivalves, oysters stand out as efficient accumulators of MPs, rendering them valuable bioindicators of environmental contamination. This study aimed to elucidate the particulate toxicity of MPs on the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas, with a focus on the effects of MP size and concentration. Adverse effects were evaluated using several physiological parameters, including survival, growth and respiration. Additionally, histological observations of the digestive and respiratory organs were conducted to investigate the underlying mechanisms of MP-induced toxicity. The findings revealed that MP exposure had a detrimental impact on oyster survival, with a decreased pattern of survival rates observed in those subjected to higher MP concentrations, regardless of particle size. Moreover, the oysters exposed to larger MP particles exhibited heightened oxygen consumption, indicating a significant physiological response. Histological analyses identified damage to the gastrointestinal tracts and gills in several individuals from the experimental group. These observations collectively suggest that MPs exert adverse effects on the survival and growth of Pacific oysters. Furthermore, the severity of MP effects appears to be concentration-dependent, with higher concentrations eliciting more pronounced impacts. The observed alterations in survival and growth are attributed to the tissue damage caused by MPs, which likely compelled oysters to allocate additional energy toward maintaining physiological and cellular homeostasis, as reflected by increased oxygen consumption.
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