Response of sediment-dwelling bivalves to microplastics and its potential implications for benthic processes

Urban-Malinga, Barbara; Jakubowska, Magdalena; Białowąs, Marcin

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.144302

Cited by 26 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 79 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Gills play a crucial role in respiration, gas and nutrient exchange, and the uptake and accumulation of pollutants [63]. Histologically, we observed mild and insignificant alterations in the gill lamellae, which is consistent with previous studies that found no significant organic tissue changes [64,65]. The histological structure of the gills analyzed reflects the normal histology of this organ [66][67][68][69].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

Exploring the Internal Defense System of Cerastoderma glaucum (Bruguière, 1789) Exposed to Pristine Microplastics: The Sentinel Role of Haemocytes as Biomarkers

Alesci,

Di Paola,

Marino

et al. 2024

Fishes

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The ubiquitous presence of microplastics (MPs) in the environment is a major concern for the conservation of biodiversity. Numerous studies show the detrimental effects of MPs on marine species, especially because of their small size and their capacity to absorb organic contaminants from their surroundings. The bivalve mollusk Cerastoderma glaucum (Bruguière, 1789), because of its wide geographic distribution and immobile feeding habits, can be used as a sentinel and bioindicator species. By examining the presence, localization, and co-localization of Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) and inducible nitric oxide synthetase (iNOS), this study aims to evaluate the response of the internal defense system of C. glaucum to pristine MPs through the employment of confocal microscopy and bioinformatics techniques. The results show haemocytes immunoreactive to the antibodies tested; in particular, a higher number of TLR2-positive haemocytes can be observed in the group exposed to pristine MPs. These findings suggest that haemocytes can play a key biomarker role as sentinels to environmental pollutants. Furthermore, bioinformatics analyses on the antibodies tested confirmed an evolutionary conservation of these molecules. These data highlight the critical role of phagocytosis in identifying ecosystem damage and are helpful in developing biosensors with less negative effects on the environments in which they are applied.

show abstract

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

Exploring the Internal Defense System of Cerastoderma glaucum (Bruguière, 1789) Exposed to Pristine Microplastics: The Sentinel Role of Haemocytes as Biomarkers

Alesci,

Di Paola,

Marino

et al. 2024

Fishes

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The shallow penetration of OM stimulates microbial activities in the oxic zone with more oxygen demands for the respiration. Increasing oxygen demands in MP-contaminated sediments were reported in previous laboratory tests 13 , and was associated with the reduced burrowing capacity of worms and bivalves with different functional traits to our study species (i.e., Arenicola marina , Cerastoderma glaucum ) 11 , 13 . The observation from a real-world experiment reveals that mollusc abundance alone cannot explain the increasing oxygen demands in the dark (aerobic respiration), and the linkage of macrofauna and sediment oxygen consumption can be broken with the contamination of fibric microplastic 60 .…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 67%

“…The deposit-feeding bivalve Macomona liliana lost burrow capacity after 31-day exposure to polyethylene terephthalate microplastics (PET) (1% by sediment weight) 12 . Recent studies found sediment dwellers (e.g., the deposit feeding bivalve Limecola balthica ) avoids the MP by penetrating deeper to the sediment and reduces their food intakes 13 . These effects on worm and bivalve species lead to changes in their behaviours and potential shifts in ecosystem function roles, notably in bioturbation.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Modelled broad-scale shifts on seafloor ecosystem functioning due to microplastic impacts on bioturbation

You,

Della Penna,

Thrush

2023

Sci Rep

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Bioturbating species play an essential role in regulating nutrient cycling in marine sediments, but their interaction with microplastics (MP) remains poorly understood. Here we investigated the linkage between MP and ecosystem functioning using experimental observations of luminophore distribution in the sediment to parametrize bioturbation coefficients (Db). this information as fed into a simplified transport-reaction model, allowing us to upscale our experimental results. We found that the composition of bioturbators modulated shifts in the ecosystem functioning under microplastic stress. Maldanid worms (Macroclymenella stewartensis), functionally deep burrowing and upward-conveyor belt feeders, became less active. The Db of M. stewartensis reduced by 25% with the addition of 0.002 g MP cm−2 at surface sediment, causing accumulation of organic matter in the oxic sediment zone and stimulating aerobic respiration by 18%. In contract, the tellinid bivalve Macomona liliana, functionally a surface -deposit feeder that excretes at depth, maintained particle mixing behaviour in MP-contaminated systems. This study provides a mechanistic insight into the impacts of MP and indicates that the functional role of bioturbating species should be involved in assessing the global impact of MP. The model allowed us to understand the broad-scale impact of MP on seafloor habitat.

show abstract

“…The first hypothesis must therefore be rejected, as the sediment rather serve as a reservoir than a final sink of MPs. General fate processes (A) and occurrence of effects (bold numbers) and effects tested (numbers in brackets), based on 10 effect studies of sediment-associated MPs (B) (Besseling et al, 2013;Wright et al, 2013;Van Cauwenberghe et al, 2015a;Green et al, 2016;Bour et al, 2018;Gomiero et al, 2018;Leung et al, 2018;Hope et al, 2020;Urban-Malinga et al, 2021;Urban-Malinga et al, 2022). Each endpoint studied in a specific experimental condition (i.e., combination of concentration, duration, polymer type) was counted as one observation, and for each observation we recorded whether a significant effect was reported at the lowest observed effect concentration (LOEC).…”

Section: Sediment Is the Ultimate Sink For Mpsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sediment matters as a route of microplastic exposure: A call for more research on the benthic compartment

et al. 2023

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Microplastics (MPs) are ubiquitous in the marine environment. Here, most MPs are expected to sink, either due to polymer density or environmental processes, such as biofouling, leading to sediment being proposed to act as a final sink for marine MPs. There is a discrepancy between the anticipated accumulation of MPs in the sediment compartment and the MP experiments conducted, since most MP effect studies have been conducted with pelagic species using water-only exposures. Here we address fundamental questions in relation to MP pollution to close the knowledge gap related hereto. A systematic literature search was performed to address these questions. We found that benthic invertebrates ingest MPs and that, even though these organisms evolutionary are adapted to handle particles, adverse effects may be observed upon ingestion of MPs. The analysis further revealed that there is a major knowledge gap on the impacts of sediment-associated MPs in marine, benthic invertebrates. To facilitate further and structured research within this topic, we recommend more studies with emphasis on the sediment as an important exposure pathway, and to focus on sediment-associated MP effects on benthic invertebrates. We recommend studies with ecological relevant exposure concentrations and ecological relevant exposure durations with emphasis on impacts on population- and community-level to reduce the knowledge gap within this central area of MP pollution research.

show abstract

Response of sediment-dwelling bivalves to microplastics and its potential implications for benthic processes

Cited by 26 publications

References 79 publications

Exploring the Internal Defense System of Cerastoderma glaucum (Bruguière, 1789) Exposed to Pristine Microplastics: The Sentinel Role of Haemocytes as Biomarkers

Exploring the Internal Defense System of Cerastoderma glaucum (Bruguière, 1789) Exposed to Pristine Microplastics: The Sentinel Role of Haemocytes as Biomarkers

Modelled broad-scale shifts on seafloor ecosystem functioning due to microplastic impacts on bioturbation

Sediment matters as a route of microplastic exposure: A call for more research on the benthic compartment

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About