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Microplastics are taken up by mussels (Mytilus edulis) and lugworms (Arenicola marina) living in natural habitats
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Researchers confirmed that mussels and lugworms both take up microplastics in laboratory conditions, and investigated whether microplastics transfer between species through predation, finding evidence of trophic transfer in a simple two-species food chain.
We studied the uptake of microplastics under field conditions. At six locations along the French-Belgian-Dutch coastline we collected two species of marine invertebrates representing different feeding strategies: the blue mussel Mytilus edulis (filter feeder) and the lugworm Arenicola marina (deposit feeder). Additional laboratory experiments were performed to assess possible (adverse) effects of ingestion and translocation of microplastics on the energy metabolism (cellular energy allocation) of these species. Microplastics were present in all organisms collected in the field: on average 0.2 ± 0.3 microplastics g(-1) (M. edulis) and 1.2 ± 2.8 particles g(-1) (A. marina). In a proof of principle laboratory experiment, mussels and lugworms exposed to high concentrations of polystyrene microspheres (110 particles mL(-1) seawater and 110 particles g(-1) sediment, respectively) showed no significant adverse effect on the organisms' overall energy budget. The results are discussed in the context of possible risks as a result of the possible transfer of adsorbed contaminants.
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Occurrence of microplastics in Mytilus edulis and Arenicola marina collected along the French-Belgian-Dutch coast
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Researchers measured microplastics in blue mussels and lugworms collected from beaches along the French, Belgian, and Dutch coasts, finding microplastics in both species at levels reflecting environmental concentrations. The study bridged the gap between high-concentration lab experiments and field reality by documenting actual microplastic contamination in these commonly consumed and studied marine species.
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Researchers tested whether microplastics in sediment affect lugworm fitness and PCB bioaccumulation, finding that microplastics reduced worm energy reserves and increased PCB uptake, demonstrating that microplastics can simultaneously harm organisms directly and enhance their chemical contaminant burden.
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Researchers used the lugworm Arenicola marina to test whether microplastics affect the uptake of co-occurring chemicals, finding that microplastics altered the bioavailability of chemicals and modified their uptake and distribution in worm tissues.
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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.