via Anglia Ruskin University
Plastic pollution potentially threatens future survival of this mollusc – new study
A new study shows that microplastics are affecting the ability of mussels to attach themselves to their surroundings – potentially having a devastating impact on ocean ecosystems as well as a worldwide industry worth between 3-4 billion US dollars per year.
The new research, published in the journal Environmental Pollution, was led by Dr Dannielle Green of Anglia Ruskin University, and was carried out at the Portaferry Marine Laboratory in Northern Ireland.
The researchers found that blue mussels exposed to doses of non-biodegradable microplastics over a period of 52 days produced significantly fewer byssal threads, which are thin fibres that help mussels attach themselves to rocks and ropes.
As well as enabling mussels to survive waves and strong tides, and stay attached to their surroundings, these byssal threads also enable them to form extensive reefs that provide important habitats for other marine animals and plants.
The study also found that the overall tenacity or attachment strength of mussels exposed to microplastics, calculated by measuring the maximal vertical force required for the mussel to become dislodged from its position, fell by 50% compared to a control sample of mussels that were not exposed to microplastics.
And in order to understand potential effects of microplastics on the health of the mussels, the researchers measured the proteins within the mussel’s circulatory fluid or haemolymph, which performs a similar function to blood. This showed that microplastics induced a strong immune response and also affected the mussels’ metabolism.
Dr Green, a Senior Lecturer in Biology at Anglia Ruskin University, said:
“Tenacity is vital for mussels to form and maintain reefs without being dislodged by hydrodynamic forces. Our study showed that the presence of non-biodegradable microplastics reduced the number of byssal threads produced by the mussels, which likely accounts for the 50% reduction in their attachment strength.
“Byssal threads help mussels to form aggregations, increasing fertilisation success and making mussels more resistant to predation. A reduction in these byssal threads in the wild could lead to cascading impacts on biodiversity as well as reducing yields from aquaculture, as mussels are more likely to be washed away by waves or strong tides.
“Our research also shows that even biodegradable microplastics can affect the health of mussels. Both biodegradable and non-biodegradable plastic are used in making single-use packaging, which if it becomes litter can break down into microplastics. Better recycling and an overall reduction of these materials can play an important role in helping to safeguard our marine environment.”
Learn more: Microplastics cause mussels to lose their grip
The Latest on: Microplastics
via Google News
The Latest on: Microplastics
- Microplastics are seemingly everywhere – including Colorado’s snowpackon August 1, 2022 at 12:37 pm
“It seems to be everywhere,” said Reynolds, coauthor of a new study of the microplastics detected throughout the Upper Colorado River Basin. “And there’s a lot of it.” Fragments of shredded truck ...
- Are Microplastics in Your Blood?on August 1, 2022 at 11:06 am
In March of this year, the scientific journal Environment International published findings of Dutch research ...
- Alarming Study Finds Most Bottled Water Is Full of Microplasticson August 1, 2022 at 9:02 am
That plastic bottle of water? Apparently it’s full of plastic. According to the organization Agir pour l’Environment (Acting for the Environment), 78% of bottled water from the best-selling brands in ...
- Microplastics aren’t just a grave threat to sea life, they endanger our own – so a single-use future must be discouragedon August 1, 2022 at 12:45 am
Plastics have been polluting the planet since the mid-20th century, affecting both natural and urban ecosystems. As a result, global pollution ranks second to climate change as a serious environmental ...
- How scientists are working on silk as a greener alternative to microplasticson July 31, 2022 at 8:00 pm
Whether in our cosmetics, in our clothes or on our plates, microplastics are everywhere. In response to this growing pollution problem, American scientists from the prestigious Massachusetts Institute ...
- Peña: Another problem with microplasticson July 28, 2022 at 7:35 pm
MICROPLASTICS, small plastic pieces less than five millimeters in size, are everywhere. They have penetrated our food chain. Even the deepest part of the oceans has ...
- Is the "Free From Microplastics" Claim on Beauty Products a Scam?on July 27, 2022 at 10:35 am
Find out how microplastics affect your beauty products and how to find ones that are "free from microplastics." ...
- This Gen Z climate activist wants to rid waterways of microplastics with a magneton July 26, 2022 at 12:40 pm
Fionn Ferreira has used his childhood curiosity to power his environmentalist project. Now, he's looking to scale up his "ferrofluids" and magnets innovation to collect microplastics on a global scale ...
- Could silk help solve our microplastics problem?on July 25, 2022 at 3:06 pm
Story at a glance Microplastics have been found in both human and animal blood, along with soil, water and air samples. Encapsulated active materials in consumer products account for about 10 to ...
- Biodegradable silk is an alternative to microplasticson July 25, 2022 at 12:30 pm
A team of scientists at MIT and experts from other parts of the world developed a silk-based product that could replace industrial microplastics. The product is inexpensive and easy to manufacture, ...
via Bing News