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Impact of perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and environmental microplastics on Mytilus galloprovincialis larval development: Cross-disciplinary approach
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This study found that combined exposure to environmental microplastics (EMPs) and PFOS caused severe developmental abnormalities in Mediterranean mussel larvae, including shell deformities, disrupted tubulin expression, DNA damage, and apoptosis — with co-exposure producing the worst outcomes. These findings demonstrate that microplastics act as vectors amplifying the toxicity of co-contaminants like PFOS, posing compounded threats to marine bivalve populations and ecosystem health.
Understanding the impacts of environmental microplastics (EMPs) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) on marine species development is critical due to their widespread and persistent presence in aquatic environments. This study investigates, for the first time, the combined effects of EMPs and PFOS on the early development of Mytilus galloprovincialis larvae, focusing on larval quality, shell biomineralization, and apoptosis, and explores the molecular mechanisms underlying these impacts. Through dose-response analysis, effective concentrations of PFOS for inducing larval alterations were determined (EC 25 : 3.9 μg/L; EC 50 : 20.45 μg/L). Morphological assessments revealed significant developmental anomalies, including arrested growth and shell deformities, with the most severe effects observed under co-exposure to EMPs and 20.45 μg/L PFOS. Immunofluorescence and molecular analyses demonstrated disrupted tubulin expression, a key cytoskeletal protein, and altered tubulin and Histidine-rich glycoprotein (HRG) transcript levels, both essential for proper shell formation. Additionally, co-exposure triggered DNA damage and developmental arrest through apoptosis activation. These findings underscore the detrimental effects of EMPs and PFOS on marine bivalve larvae, posing risks to species survival and ecosystem stability. Addressing these pollutants is essential to safeguarding marine biodiversity and maintaining ecological balance. • Combined effects of EMPs and PFOS impair mussel larval development. • EC25 and EC50 values for PFOS were determined in larval development. • Coexposure led to shell deformities, developmental arrest, and biomineralization impairment. • Disrupted tubulin expression and gene alterations impaired shell formation. • DNA degradation and apoptosis activation resulted in developmental arrest.
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Researchers studied how environmental microplastics and increased salinity together affect the early development of Mediterranean mussel larvae. The combination caused larval deformities, developmental problems, and changes in gene activity related to shell formation, stress response, and cell damage. These findings are concerning because climate change is altering ocean salinity in coastal areas where microplastic pollution is also heavy, and mussels are a food source that could pass accumulated microplastics to humans.
Cellular toxicity and apoptosis-related responses to individual and combined exposure to microplastics and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) in Hediste diversicolor coelomocytes.
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Marine worms (Hediste diversicolor) were exposed to microplastics and PFOS, a persistent chemical, in sediment for 7 days. Combined exposure increased PFOS buildup in body fluid and caused cell damage, DNA damage, and changes in genes linked to cell death, with effects varying by measurement and chemical dose.
Physiological and transcriptome analysis of Mytilus coruscus in response to Prorocentrum lima and microplastics
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The combined effects of diarrhetic shellfish toxin and microplastics on the mussel Mytilus coruscus were assessed at physiological and transcriptomic levels, revealing synergistic disruption of immune function, antioxidant responses, and metabolic pathways. The study provides molecular-level evidence of interactive toxicity between two common coastal contaminants.
Environmental microplastics compromise reproduction of the marine invertebrate Mytilus galloprovincialis: A holistic approach
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Exposing Mediterranean mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis) gametes to 50 or 100 µg/L environmental microplastics for 1 hour reduced fertilization success, increased larval malformation rates, and caused DNA degradation, demonstrating reproductive toxicity from environmentally realistic MP concentrations.
From Biomarkers to Transcriptomics: Assessing the Impact of PFOA, TBBPA, and EE2 on the Sentinel Species Mytilus galloprovincialis
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Researchers exposed Mediterranean mussels to PFOA, TBBPA, and a synthetic estrogen, using transcriptomic and biomarker analysis to show that these emerging contaminants cause significant oxidative stress and endocrine disruption in a widely used marine sentinel species.
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