Experimental ingestion of fluorescent microplastics by pacific oysters, Crassostrea gigas, and their effects on the behaviour and development at early stages

Date of publication 22 June 2020

Authors Bringer, Arno; Cachot, Jérôme; Prunier, Grégoire; Dubillot, Emmanuel; Clérandeau, Christelle; Hélène, Thomas.

Sources Chemosphere: 254, 126793 (2020).

DOILink https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.126793

Abstract

Plastics are persistent synthetic polymers that accumulate as waste in the marine environment. Microplastics (MPs, <5 mm) can be found either as microbeads in body care and some industrial products or as plastic debris through degradation. Plastic microbeads (1-5 μm, fluorescent, Cospheric) were used to characterise the MP ingestion and determine their potential harmful effects on both the swimming behaviour and development of oyster D-larvae (Crassostrea gigas). For 24 h, embryos were first exposed to MPs at a temperature of 24 °C. In addition, 3 day-old D-larvae were exposed to the same temperature for 1, 3 and 5 h. Three concentrations of MPs were used: 0.1, 1 and 10 mg MP. L-1. After a 24-h period of embryonic exposure, we noted that MP agglomerates were stuck to the D-larvae coat and locomotor eyelashes. We also observed a significant increase in severe malformations and developmental arrests for larvae exposed to MPs ranging from 1 mg MP. L-1. In terms of swimming behaviour, the maximum speed recorded was lower for larvae exposed at 0.1 and 1 mg MP. L-1. After an acute exposure to MPs, particles were found in the digestive tract of 3 dpf (days post fertilisation) D-larvae. After 1-h exposure, the concentrations tested (0.1, 1 and 10 mg MP. L-1) resulted in respectively 38%, 86% and 98%. The larvae swimming behaviour was recorded and analysed. Unlike the results observed at the embryo-larval stage, 3-dpf larvae showed significant impacts with no dose-response effect.

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