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20 resultsShowing papers similar to Ingestion of Microplastic Has Limited Impact on a Marine Larva
ClearMicroplastics impede larval urchin selective feeding
Researchers pre-exposed larval sea urchins to polystyrene microplastics and then tested their feeding ability, finding that prior exposure lengthened stomach filling time and impaired selective discrimination between algal food and plastic particles. These sub-lethal effects on feeding behavior could reduce post-settlement success in environments where food is limited.
The adverse effects of virgin microplastics on the fertilization and larval development of sea urchins
Researchers tested the effects of virgin microplastics on the fertilization and larval development of a marine organism, finding adverse effects on both fertilization success and larval survival at environmentally relevant concentrations.
Assessing the effect of microplastics on marine invertebrates: the consequence of exposure of sea urchin larvae to polystyrene microplastics
Researchers exposed sea urchin larvae (Paracentrotus lividus) to polystyrene microplastics derived from commercial disposable plates and assessed effects on fertilization, embryogenesis, and larval development, finding significant impairment of early developmental stages at environmentally relevant concentrations.
Physical and chemical threats posed by micro(nano)plastic to sea urchins
This review analyzed the physical and chemical threats that micro- and nanoplastics pose to sea urchins across their lifespan, examining polymer-specific effects on both adult organisms and early larval stages given sea urchins' key ecological role as benthic grazers.
Effects of microplastics on the growth and behaviors of larval sea urchins heliocidaris crassispina
This study examined how microplastics of varying sizes and shapes affected the growth and behavior of larval sea urchins, finding that effects varied depending on the physical characteristics of the particles. Sea urchins are important reef grazers and their larvae are particularly vulnerable to contamination in the water column.
Microplastics do not increase toxicity of a hydrophobic organic chemical to marine plankton
Sea urchin larvae actively ingested polyethylene microplastics at rates comparable to natural food particles, but co-exposure with a hydrophobic organic contaminant did not increase toxicity compared to contaminant alone. The results suggest that at tested concentrations, microplastics do not significantly amplify the toxicity of co-occurring pollutants to marine plankton.
Interactive effects between sinking polyethylene terephthalate (PET) microplastics deriving from water bottles and a benthic grazer
Sea urchins exposed to PET microplastics in their diet efficiently passed the particles through their digestive tract without significant tissue damage or oxidative stress, and their digestion slightly altered the surface structure of PET particles. The study suggests sea urchins are relatively resilient to PET microplastic exposure but may contribute to plastic fragmentation on the seafloor through their grazing activity.
Commercially-derived Microplastics Affect Early Life Stages in Paracentrotus Lividus Sea Urchin
Commercially derived microplastics from everyday plastic products affected early life stages of Paracentrotus lividus sea urchins, reducing fertilization success and larval development rates, with chemical additives leaching from plastic contributing to toxicity beyond particle effects alone.
Developmental Toxicity of Microplastic Leachates on Marine Larvae
Chemical leachates from microplastics — the chemicals that wash off plastic surfaces — caused developmental abnormalities in marine sea urchin and bryozoan larvae at environmentally relevant concentrations. The findings suggest that chemical leaching from plastics may be as harmful as the particles themselves for marine organisms in early life stages.
Assessment of microplastic toxicity to embryonic development of the sea urchin Lytechinus variegatus (Echinodermata: Echinoidea)
Researchers assessed the toxicity of both virgin and beach-stranded plastic pellets to sea urchin embryo development. The study found that chemical substances leaching from microplastics into surrounding water caused developmental abnormalities, indicating that microplastics can release harmful compounds that affect marine organisms even without direct ingestion.
PET microplastics toxicity on marine key species is influenced by pH, particle size and food variations
Researchers tested the toxicity of PET microplastics on marine bacteria, algae, and sea urchin larvae under standard and acidified pH conditions. The study found that while bacteria and algae were not sensitive to PET pollution, sea urchin larvae experienced toxic effects that varied with particle size and were influenced by pH and food availability. The results suggest that interactions between microplastics and environmental stressors like ocean acidification need more attention to understand real-world impacts.
Ingestion and egestion of microplastic fibers in the green sea urchin Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis: An experimental exposure
Lab experiments showed that green sea urchins readily ingest and then expel microplastic fibers, but the fibers persisted in their digestive systems longer than natural food particles. This raises concern about chronic microplastic exposure and potential blockage or chemical effects in these and other marine invertebrates.
Microplastic ingestion induces asymmetry and oxidative stress in larvae of the sea urchin Pseudechinus huttoni
Researchers exposed sea urchin (Pseudechinus huttoni) larvae to 1–5 µm microplastic spheres and found increased skeletal asymmetry and elevated reactive oxygen species, indicating that MP ingestion causes developmental disruption and oxidative stress during the sensitive larval stage.
Ingestion of Nanoplastics and Microplastics by Pacific Oyster Larvae
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.
Quantifying Effects and Ingestion of Several Pristine Microplastics in Two Early Life Stages of Freshwater Mussels
Researchers tested whether several types of pristine microplastics harm two early life stages of freshwater mussels, species that are already imperiled in North America. The study found no acute toxicity to larvae or juveniles from any of the plastics tested, though the mussels did ingest the particles in a concentration-dependent manner and were able to expel them during a depuration period.
How sea urchins face microplastics: Uptake, tissue distribution and immune system response
Sea urchins exposed to polystyrene microplastics showed particle uptake across multiple tissues (including coelom and gonads), dose-dependent changes in immune cell populations, and elevated oxidative stress, with smaller particles causing greater harm than larger ones.
Microplastics and Sea Urchin Life: A Review of Distribution and Implications in Indonesia
This meta-analysis reviews microplastic distribution in sea urchins across Indonesian waters. The research found microplastics present in sea urchin populations across multiple marine environments. This matters because sea urchins are consumed as food in many coastal communities, making them a potential pathway for microplastics to enter the human diet.
Mild toxicity of polystyrene and polymethylmethacrylate microplastics in Paracentrotus lividus early life stages
Sea urchin embryos showed little sensitivity to polystyrene and polymethylmethacrylate microplastics, but sperm exposed to these particles showed decreased fertilization success and larvae ingested one polymer type more readily than the other. The findings suggest reproductive effects may occur at the sperm stage before embryo development begins.
Nanoplastics affect the growth of sea urchins (Strongylocentrotus intermedius) and damage gut health
Researchers exposed sea urchins to nanoplastics at two concentrations for 28 days and found significant reductions in growth rates and digestive enzyme activity. The nanoplastics caused visible damage to intestinal tissue and altered gut bacterial community composition, with several bacterial groups appearing exclusively in exposed animals. The study suggests that nanoplastic exposure can harm marine invertebrates by disrupting both digestive function and gut microbial balance.
Microplastic ingestion and its effects οn sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus: A field study in a coastal East Mediterranean environment
Researchers collected wild sea urchins from three coastal sites in the Ionian Sea with different levels of human activity and examined them for microplastic ingestion and biological stress markers. They found microplastics in sea urchins at all sites, with patterns matching sediment contamination, but most biomarkers showed no significant stress response. The exception was increased detoxification enzyme activity, suggesting the animals may be mounting a subtle biological response to ingested microplastics.