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Accumulation and effects of microplastic fibers in American lobster larvae (Homarus americanus)
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Researchers investigated the effects of microplastic fibers (MPF) on American lobster larvae across four developmental stages, finding that only the highest MPF concentrations reduced early larval survival while oxygen consumption rates were suppressed in later larval stages exposed to high concentrations. The study showed that MPF accumulation, ingestion, and effects were all dependent on larval stage, MPF concentration, and food availability.
The effects of microplastic fibers (MPF) on the survival, molting and oxygen consumption rates of larval (I-III) and post-larval (IV) stages of the American lobster, Homarus americanus, were quantified as a function of MPF concentration and food availability. Only the highest MPF concentration decreased early larval survival. MPF did not affect the timing or rate of molting across MPF treatments. While all larval and post-larval stages accumulated MPF under the cephalothorax carapace, stage II larvae and stage IV post-larvae showed the highest and lowest accumulation, respectively. MPF ingestion increased with larval stage and with MPF concentration; under starvation conditions, stage I larvae only ingested them at low MPF concentrations. Oxygen consumption rates were lower only in later larval stages when exposed to high MPF concentrations. Combined, our results indicate that MPF interactions and effects on American lobster larvae are dependent on larval stage, MPF concentration, and presence of food.
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Microplastic contamination in edible American lobster (Homarus americanus) muscle tissue
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Researchers analyzed microplastic contamination in the edible muscle tissue of American lobsters from four commercial fishing sites in Nova Scotia, Canada. All lobsters examined contained microplastics at a mean concentration of 6.65 particles per gram of wet tissue, with smaller lobsters showing higher concentrations and the most common particles being small enough to potentially translocate within tissues.
Investigating microplastic contamination in american lobster (homarus americanus) from mi'kma'ki (nova scotia), canada
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Researchers investigated microplastic contamination in the tail muscle tissue of commercial American lobsters (Homarus americanus) collected from four regions of Nova Scotia, Canada, characterizing particle counts, sizes, and polymer types alongside heavy metal analysis of the same tissue. The study aimed to fill a significant gap in Canadian fisheries microplastics data, given that lobster represents the country's largest fishing industry, with preliminary findings generating baseline contamination data.
Do Environmentally Relevant Concentrations of Microplastics Pose a Threat to the Eastern Oyster, Crassostrea Virginica?
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This study exposed eastern oysters to polyester microfibers at environmentally realistic concentrations for 45 days, finding that even low doses affected their physiology including feeding, growth, and energy use. The results suggest that ecologically relevant microplastic levels may pose a threat to commercially important filter-feeding shellfish.
Effects of combined exposure to temperature, salinity, and microplastic fibres on biological endpoints in the American lobster (Homarus americanus).
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Baby lobsters struggle to survive when ocean water gets too warm, especially when combined with lower salt levels, warmer water raised their heart rates and increased deaths, mimicking effects we might expect from climate change. Interestingly, microplastic fibers alone didn't significantly harm the lobster larvae's survival, even though the tiny plastic bits were found lodged in their shells and stomachs. This matters because lobsters are a major seafood source, and understanding how warming oceans (more than plastic pollution, at least in this study) threaten their early survival can help predict impacts on seafood supplies as our climate changes.
Effects of Polyethylene Microfibers on Mud Crab Panopeus Herbstii Throughout Larval Development
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Researchers reared mud crab (Panopeus herbstii) larvae through five developmental stages under four concentrations of 50 µm polyethylene terephthalate fibers (0-10 mp/mL), testing full, early, and late exposure durations. Increasing microfiber concentrations caused reduced larval body size and prolonged stage duration, with size reductions reversing after removal of microplastics but developmental delays persisting, suggesting acute and chronic effects on crustacean larval development.
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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.