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Ingestion and effects of micro- and nanoplastics in blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) larvae
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Blue mussel larvae were exposed to 100 nm and 2 μm polystyrene beads and microplastics were found to remain inside larvae despite active egestion, with growth unaffected but the proportion of abnormally developed larvae increasing at the highest polystyrene concentration (282 μg/L). The findings suggest that early developmental stages of mussels can be harmed by microplastic exposure at concentrations relevant to polluted coastal areas.
It is well known that mussels are exposed to microplastics but ingestion and potential effects on mussel larvae are not well understood. We quantified ingestion and egestion of 100 nm and 2 μm polystyrene beads in blue mussel larvae after 4 h exposure and 16 h depuration using different plastic-to-microalgae ratios. Effects on growth and development of mussel larvae were investigated at 0.42, 28.2 and 282 μgL within 15 days of exposure. We found that, on a mass basis, larvae ingested a higher amount of 2 μm than 100 nm beads, while egestion was independent of particle size and the plastics-to-algae ratio. Although particle egestion occurred readily, microplastics remained inside the larvae. Larval growth was not affected but abnormally developed larvae increased after exposure to polystyrene beads. Malformations were more pronounced for 100 nm beads, at higher concentration and after longer exposure time.
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The fate of microplastics during uptake and depuration phases in a blue mussel exposure system
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A controlled exposure system tracked the fate of polystyrene microplastic beads in blue mussels during uptake and depuration phases, showing that mussels accumulated beads in the digestive gland and that depuration cleared most but not all particles over 24 hours. The mass balance approach provides a rigorous method for quantifying microplastic retention in bivalves.
Effects of nanopolystyrene on the feeding behavior of the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis L.)
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Researchers investigated how 30-nanometer polystyrene particles affect the feeding behavior of blue mussels. They found that exposure to nanoplastics caused mussels to produce pseudofeces, increase total waste output, and reduce filtering activity, indicating that nanoplastics disrupt normal feeding processes in these organisms.
Ingestion of Nanoplastics and Microplastics by Pacific Oyster Larvae
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Researchers tested whether Pacific oyster larvae could ingest nanoplastics and microplastics, and what effects this had on their development. They found that larvae consumed plastics as small as 100 nanometers, and exposure to the smallest particles significantly reduced larval growth and survival. The study highlights that the earliest life stages of commercially important shellfish may be especially vulnerable to nanoplastic pollution in coastal waters.
Experimental ingestion of fluorescent microplastics by pacific oysters, Crassostrea gigas, and their effects on the behaviour and development at early stages
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Pacific oyster embryos exposed to polystyrene microbeads showed increased developmental malformations at concentrations above 1 milligram per liter, and 3-day-old larvae exposed briefly to the same concentrations ingested particles in their digestive tract and showed reduced swimming speeds. The study highlights early larval stages as particularly sensitive windows for microplastic-induced developmental disruption.
Impact of nano- and micro-sized polystyrene beads on larval survival and growth of the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas.
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Polystyrene beads at nano (0.55 um) and micro (10, 100 um) sizes were tested on Pacific oyster larvae, with smaller particles causing greater mortality and growth inhibition at lower concentrations, suggesting nanoplastics pose a higher risk to early bivalve development than microplastics.
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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.