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Continuous Exposure to Microplastics Does Not Cause Physiological Effects in the Cultivated Mussel Perna perna
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Researchers continuously exposed a marine organism to microplastics and found no measurable physiological effects, suggesting that chronic low-level microplastic exposure may not always cause direct harm to this species under the tested conditions.
The environmental impact of microplastics is a challenging theme, especially under realistic experimental conditions. We investigated physiological responses to 0.1-1.0 μm PVC particles intake by the mussel Perna perna after a relative long-term exposure (90 days) at a less extreme concentration compared with previous studies (0.125 g/L). Microplastic intake was inferred by the presence of PVC in the feces of mussels, and physiological damages were assessed through ingestion rate, assimilation efficiency, growth rate, cellular and molecular biomarkers (lysosomal integrity, lipid peroxidation, and DNA damage), and condition index. All physiological responses showed nonsignificant effects of the microplastics on the exposed mussels. We suggest that, despite the experimental concentration of microplastics, mussels were able to acclimate to the exposure through their abilities for long-term recovery and tolerance to stresses. These data have positive implications for environmental health and in terms of human food resource because mussel farming is a worldwide practice that heavily relies on plastic materials, increasing the chances of microplastic exposure and mussels contamination.
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Microplastics effects on the physiology of the Mussel Perna perna (Bivalvia:Mytilidae)
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This Brazilian study exposed mussels (Perna perna) to polyethylene microplastics from cosmetics to examine whether effects are physical or chemical in nature. The study contributes to understanding of microplastic risks to filter-feeding shellfish that are widely consumed by humans.
Microplastics, both non-biodegradable and biodegradable, do not affect the whole organism functioning of a marine mussel
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Researchers exposed marine mussels to both conventional and biodegradable microplastics at environmentally realistic concentrations and measured whole-organism physiological responses including respiration, feeding, and energy balance. They found that neither type of microplastic significantly affected the mussels' overall functioning at these concentrations. The study suggests that while microplastic ingestion does occur, the biological impacts on filter-feeding organisms may be limited at the pollution levels currently found in natural ecosystems.
EFFECT OF MICROPLASTIC ON GREEN MUSSEL Perna viridis: EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH
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Researchers experimentally exposed green mussels (Perna viridis) to microplastics under controlled laboratory conditions and observed effects on feeding activity, tissue accumulation, and physiological stress responses. The study provides empirical evidence that microplastic ingestion causes measurable biological harm in this commercially harvested bivalve species.
Impacts of microplastic fibres on the marine mussel, Mytilus galloprovinciallis
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Scientists exposed marine mussels to dryer lint as a proxy for microplastic fibers from laundry and found physiological changes including reduced clearance rates and histopathological damage to gill and digestive gland tissue.
Limited effects of chronic exposure to environmentally relevant concentrations of microplastics across biological levels in mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis)
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Good news for seafood lovers: a new study found that mussels exposed to realistic, everyday levels of microplastics in the ocean showed only minor effects on their health and growth, not the dramatic harm seen in some earlier lab studies that used unrealistically high plastic doses. This suggests that when it comes to mussels raised for food, real-world microplastic pollution may be less immediately damaging than previously feared, though it doesn't mean microplastics are harmless, just that this study didn't find major red flags at typical ocean concentrations.
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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.