We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
It's tough for life on a plastic planet
AI summary Read the abstract
A summary of research showing that Pacific oysters exposed to polystyrene microspheres suffered disrupted digestion and reduced reproductive success, with some negative effects passing to the next generation. The findings suggest microplastics can harm shellfish reproduction, with potential implications for both marine ecosystems and seafood industries.
Ecology![Figure][1] Microplastics threaten Pacific oysters PHOTO:© ARTERRA PICTURE LIBRARY/ALAMY STOCK PHOTO We dump an estimated 4 to 12 million tons of plastic waste into the oceans every year. This plastic breaks down into tiny pieces called microplastic particles, which can be ingested by marine life, causing unknown effects. To assess the impact of microplastic particles, Sussarellu et al. exposed Pacific oysters to polystyrene microspheres. The oysters efficiently ingested the microspheres but to ill effect. The microspheres interfered with their digestion and affected fecundity, lowering egg and sperms counts. Some negative effects also carried over to the next generation. Overall, their findings suggest that microplastic particles affected the oysters' ability to acquire and allocate energetic resources. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 10.1073/pnas.1519019113 (2016). [1]: pending:yes
More Papers Like This
Oyster reproduction is affected by exposure to polystyrene microplastics
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed Pacific oysters to polystyrene microplastics during their reproductive period and found significant impacts on their ability to reproduce. Exposed oysters produced fewer and smaller egg cells and slower-swimming sperm, resulting in fewer offspring that also developed more slowly. The study demonstrates that microplastic pollution could threaten the reproductive success of commercially and ecologically important shellfish populations.
Polystyrene microplastics are reprotoxic for oyster
AI summary Read the abstract
This French study demonstrated that polystyrene microplastics are reprotoxic for oysters, impairing reproductive function in these economically and ecologically important bivalves. The finding highlights the risk that microplastic pollution poses to shellfish reproduction and by extension to marine food security.
Polystyrene microplastics photo-aged under simulated sunlight influences gonadal development in the Pacific oyster
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that polystyrene microplastics aged by simulated sunlight harmed the reproductive development of Pacific oysters, reducing gonad size and disrupting sex hormones. Female oysters were especially affected, with altered energy allocation and significant changes in genes related to reproductive development. Since most microplastics in the ocean have been weathered by sunlight, these findings suggest that real-world microplastic exposure may pose a greater threat to shellfish reproduction than laboratory tests with fresh plastics indicate.
Microplastics Affect Energy Balance and Gametogenesis in the Pearl Oyster Pinctada margaritifera
AI summary Read the abstract
Pearl oysters exposed to microplastics showed disrupted energy metabolism and impaired gametogenesis, suggesting that plastic pollution could threaten the reproductive success of marine bivalves used in pearl farming. The findings have economic as well as ecological implications, given that pearl farming is a major industry in tropical Pacific island nations.
The Impact of Polystyrene Microplastics on Feeding, Function and Fecundity in the Marine Copepod Calanus helgolandicus
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed a key marine copepod species to polystyrene microplastics and measured the effects on feeding, egg production, and offspring survival. They found that microplastic ingestion significantly reduced the amount of algae the copepods consumed, lowered their reproductive output, and decreased the hatching success of their eggs. Since copepods are a foundational link in marine food webs, these effects could have cascading consequences for ocean ecosystems.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.