Ingested Microscopic Plastic Translocates to the Circulatory System of the Mussel, Mytilus edulis (L.)
Abstract
Plastics debris is accumulating in the environment and is fragmenting into smaller pieces; as it does, the potential for ingestion by animals increases. The consequences of macroplastic debris for wildlife are well documented, however the impacts of microplastic (< 1 mm) are poorly understood. The mussel, Mytilus edulis, was used to investigate ingestion, translocation, and accumulation of this debris. Initial experiments showed that upon ingestion, microplastic accumulated in the gut. Mussels were subsequently exposed to treatments containing seawater and microplastic (3.0 or 9.6 microm). After transfer to clean conditions, microplastic was tracked in the hemolymph. Particles translocated from the gut to the circulatory system within 3 days and persisted for over 48 days. Abundance of microplastic was greatest after 12 days and declined thereafter. Smaller particles were more abundant than larger particles and our data indicate as plastic fragments into smaller particles, the potential for accumulation in the tissues of an organism increases. The short-term pulse exposure used here did not result in significant biological effects. However, plastics are exceedingly durable and so further work using a wider range of organisms, polymers, and periods of exposure will be required to establish the biological consequences of this debris.
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Ingestion of MPs may be due to ingestion of organisms of lower trophic levels containing these particles.
“or ingestion of organisms of lower trophic levels containing these particles (e.g.plankton containing MPs) (Browne et al., 2008;Fendall and Sewell, 2009;do Sul and Costa, 2014).”
From Studies of the Effects of Microplastics on Aquatic Organisms: What Do We Know and Where Should We Focus Our Efforts in the Future? (2018) · cites this paper as Browne et al., 2008
In M. edulis, the transition of MP from the gut to the haemolymph was observed to continue for N48 days after a 3 days exposure.
“In M. edulis, the transition of MP from the gut to the haemolymph was observed to continue for N48 days after a 3 days exposure (Browne et al., 2008).”
From Studies of the Effects of Microplastics on Aquatic Organisms: What Do We Know and Where Should We Focus Our Efforts in the Future? (2018) · cites this paper as Browne et al., 2008
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- Authors
- Browne, M. A., Dissanayake, A., Galloway, T. S., Lowe, D. M., & Thompson, R. C.
- Affiliations
- University of Exeter (GB)
- Corresponding author
- Browne, Mark A.
- Venue
- Environmental Science & Technology
- Publisher
- American Chemical Society (ACS)
- Published
- 2008-05-30
- Volume
- 42
- Issue
- 13
- Pages
- 5026-5031
- ISSN
- 0013-936X (ISSN-L)
- 1520-5851
- OpenAlex
- W1967273901
- Cited by
- 2,263
- References
- 42
- Citations by year
- 2026: 119 · 2025: 180 · 2024: 226 · 2023: 229 · 2022: 283 · 2021: 219 · 2020: 274 · 2019: 174 · 2018: 138 · 2017: 100 · 2016: 91 · 2015: 77 · 2014: 46 · 2013: 46 · 2012: 18
- FWCI
- 13.45
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Environmental Science & Technology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Leverhulme Trust
- Natural Environment Research Council (pml010003)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Pollution › Microplastics and Plastic Pollution
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis › Environmental Toxicology and Ecotoxicology
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Global and Planetary Change › Marine Ecology and Invasive Species
- Keywords
- microplastics, Mytilus edulis, mussels, plastic ingestion, hemolymph, cardiovascular system, particle size, plastic debris, marine pollution, bioaccumulation
- MeSH terms
- Analysis of Variance, Animals, Body Burden, Cardiovascular System, Gastrointestinal Contents, Particle Size, Plastics, Waste Products, Mytilus edulis
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