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Microplastics, microfibres and nanoplastics cause variable sub-lethal responses in mussels (Mytilus spp.)
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Researchers compared the toxic effects of microplastics, microfibres, and nanoplastics on mussels over 24-hour and 7-day exposures. They found that nanoplastics triggered a heightened immune response, while all plastic types caused initial oxidative stress that returned to normal levels after a week. The study highlights that particle size is a key factor in determining the type and severity of biological responses to plastic pollution in marine organisms.
We compare the toxicity of microplastics, microfibres and nanoplastics on mussels. Mussels (Mytilus spp.) were exposed to 500 ng mL-1 of 20 μm polystyrene microplastics, 10 × 30 μm polyamide microfibres or 50 nm polystyrene nanoplastics for 24 h or 7 days. Biomarkers of immune response, oxidative stress response, lysosomal destabilisation and genotoxic damage were measured in haemolymph, digestive gland and gills. Microplastics and microfibres were observed in the digestive glands, with significantly higher plastic concentrations after 7-days exposure (ANOVA, P < 0.05). Nanoplastics had a significant effect on hyalinocyte-granulocyte ratios (ANOVA, P < 0.05), indicative of a heightened immune response. SOD activity was significantly increased followed 24 h exposure to plastics (two-way ANOVA, P < 0.05), but returned to normal levels after 7-days exposure. No evidence of lysosomal destabilisation or genotoxic damage was observed from any form of plastic. The study highlights how particle size is a key factor in plastic particulate toxicity.
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A Comparative Assessment of the Chronic Effects of Micro- and Nano-Plastics on the Physiology of the Mediterranean Mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis
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Researchers compared the chronic effects of polystyrene microplastics and nanoplastics on Mediterranean mussels over a 21-day exposure at very low concentrations. They found that nanoplastics generally produced stronger biological responses than microplastics, including greater impacts on immune function, oxidative stress, and neurotoxicity markers. The study suggests that smaller plastic particles may pose greater risks to marine filter feeders even at trace environmental concentrations.
Effect of size continuum from nanoplastics to microplastics on marine mussel Mytilus edulis: Comparison in vitro/in vivo exposure scenarios
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Researchers compared the effects of nanoplastics versus microplastics on marine mussels using both in vivo and in vitro approaches, finding that smaller plastic particles caused greater cellular and physiological impacts across the size continuum.
Size-dependent effects of plastic particles on antioxidant and immune responses of the thick-shelled mussel Mytilus coruscus
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Mussels exposed to plastic particles ranging from 70 nanometers to 100 micrometers showed that smaller particles caused more severe damage, including higher oxidative stress and greater immune system suppression. After 30 days of exposure, the mussels' immune cells had reduced ability to fight off threats through phagocytosis (the process of engulfing invaders). A seven-day recovery period reversed some effects, but the study highlights how chronic nanoplastic exposure may weaken marine organisms' defenses.
Oxidative Stress in Mussel Mytilus trossulus Induced by Different-Sized Plastics
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Researchers exposed mussels to both tiny polystyrene microparticles and larger polyethylene plastic fragments and found that both sizes triggered oxidative stress in the animals. The plastic exposure caused DNA damage, weakened cellular membranes, and destabilized immune cell structures in the mussels' gills and digestive glands. The findings indicate that plastics of any size and polymer type can be harmful to marine filter-feeding organisms.
Polystyrene micro and nanoplastics: A comparative study of the cytotoxic effects exerted on Mytilus galloprovincialis gills
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Researchers compared the toxic effects of micro-sized and nano-sized polystyrene particles on the gills of Mediterranean mussels. Both sizes caused oxidative damage, tissue alterations, and immune responses, but nanoplastics consistently produced more severe effects. The findings suggest that smaller plastic particles pose a greater threat to the gill function of filter-feeding shellfish, potentially impairing their ability to collect food and breathe.
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