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Effect of High-Density Polyethylene Microplastics on the Survival and Development of Eastern Oyster ( Crassostrea virginica ) Larvae

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  • Sulakshana Bhatt

    (Department of Biology, Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD 21251, USA
    Patuxent Aquatic and Environmental Research Laboratory (PEARL), Morgan State University, Saint Leonard, MD 20685, USA)

  • Chunlei Fan

    (Department of Biology, Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD 21251, USA
    Patuxent Aquatic and Environmental Research Laboratory (PEARL), Morgan State University, Saint Leonard, MD 20685, USA)

  • Ming Liu

    (Patuxent Aquatic and Environmental Research Laboratory (PEARL), Morgan State University, Saint Leonard, MD 20685, USA)

  • Brittany Wolfe-Bryant

    (Patuxent Aquatic and Environmental Research Laboratory (PEARL), Morgan State University, Saint Leonard, MD 20685, USA)

Abstract

Microplastic (MP) pollution is a growing global concern—especially in estuarine areas that serve as natural habitats and nurseries for many marine organisms. One such marine organism is the Eastern oyster ( Crassostrea virginica ), which is a reef-forming keystone species in the Chesapeake Bay, the largest estuary in the United States. To understand the potential impacts of MP pollution on the estuary ecosystem, the effects of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) MPs on Eastern oyster larval survival and development were investigated. Three cohorts of larvae were exposed to HDPE MPs with a size of 10–90 µm at a 10 mg/L concentration, after 7 to 11 days of fertilization. After exposure, the number and size of oyster larvae were measured twice a week for approximately 2 weeks until larval settlement. The experiment found that there were no significant differences in the rate of survival between the control and MP-addition treatments. However, we noticed that larval development was significantly delayed with the MP treatment. The percentage of larvae that were ready to settle was 64% with the control treatment compared to 43.5% with the MP treatment. This delay in growth resulted in a delayed larval settlement, which could adversely affect the survival of the Eastern oyster due to the increased risk of predation. The current study demonstrates that MPs could be a risk to the ecology of estuaries, and plastic pollution management is needed for the preservation of these estuaries.

Suggested Citation

  • Sulakshana Bhatt & Chunlei Fan & Ming Liu & Brittany Wolfe-Bryant, 2023. "Effect of High-Density Polyethylene Microplastics on the Survival and Development of Eastern Oyster ( Crassostrea virginica ) Larvae," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(12), pages 1-12, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:12:p:6142-:d:1172338
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Leonardo Alberghini & Alessandro Truant & Serena Santonicola & Giampaolo Colavita & Valerio Giaccone, 2022. "Microplastics in Fish and Fishery Products and Risks for Human Health: A Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(1), pages 1-17, December.
    2. Sunusi Usman & Ahmad Faizal Abdull Razis & Khozirah Shaari & Mohammad Noor Azmai Amal & Mohd Zamri Saad & Nurulfiza Mat Isa & Muhammad Farhan Nazarudin & Syaizwan Zahmir Zulkifli & Jumria Sutra & Musa, 2020. "Microplastics Pollution as an Invisible Potential Threat to Food Safety and Security, Policy Challenges and the Way Forward," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(24), pages 1-24, December.
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