Oyster reproduction is affected by exposure to polystyrene microplastics

TLDR

Plastics break down into microplastics from diverse sources, accumulate in marine ecosystems, and pose a concern for filter feeders due to their ubiquitous presence and small size. Exposure of oysters to polystyrene microparticles disrupted energy uptake and allocation, impairing reproduction and offspring performance, with reduced energy allocation identified as a key factor, providing novel evidence of microplastic effects on invertebrate reproduction.

Abstract

Significance Plastics are a contaminant of emerging concern accumulating in marine ecosystems. Plastics tend to break down into small particles, called microplastics, which also enter the marine environment directly as fragments from a variety of sources, including cosmetics, clothing, and industrial processes. Given their ubiquitous nature and small dimensions, the ingestion and impact of microplastics on marine life are a cause for concern, notably for filter feeders. Oysters were exposed to polystyrene microparticles, which were shown to interfere with energy uptake and allocation, reproduction, and offspring performance. A drop in energy allocation played a major role in this reproductive impairment. This study provides ground-breaking data on microplastic impacts in an invertebrate model, helping to predict ecological impact in marine ecosystems.