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Title: Effects of nanopolystyrene on the feeding behavior of the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis L.)
Date: 11/2012
  Link to Journal Abstract
Abstract: As the industrial production of nanoplastic and the degradation of microplastic into smaller particles at sea increase, the potential amount of nanoplastics in the marine environment rises. It has been reported that mussels uptake 100-nm polystyrene (PS) beads; to date, however, the effects of this uptake on the organism are unknown. In the present study, the authors investigated the effects of 30-nm PS on the feeding behavior of the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) by exposing the organism to different nano PS and different algae (Pavlova lutheri) concentrations. The state of nano PS aggregation in the exposure medium was assessed using dynamic light scattering. In all treatments that contained nano PS, M. edulis produced pseudofeces. The total weight of the feces and pseudofeces increased with increasing nano PS and increasing algae concentration. Furthermore, M. edulis reduced its filtering activity when nano PS was present but still caused a decrease in the apparent nano PS concentration in the water. The presence of nano PS around the foot of M. edulis after the bioassay confirmed that the organism removed nano PS from the water. Chronic effect studies are therefore needed to investigate the effects of nanoplastics in M. edulis and possible consequences for its predators, including humans.
Non-technical Summary: In the present study, the authors investigated the effects of 30-nm polystyrene (PS) on the feeding behavior of the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) by exposing the organism to different nano PS and different algae (Pavlova lutheri) concentrations. The state of nano PS aggregation in the exposure medium was assessed using dynamic light scattering.
Content Emphasis Peer Reviewed Journal Article
Exposure Or Hazard Target Aquatic Ecosystem
Exposure Pathway Other/Unspecified
Method Of Study Environmental Study
Paper Type Environmental Fate and Transport
Particle Type Organic/Polymers
Production Method Engineered
Risk Exposure Group Ecosystem
Target Audience Technical Research
Citation: Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 2012, 31(11): 2490-2497
Publication: Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry
Author: Wegner A, Besseling E, Foekema EM, Kamermans P, Koelmans AA
Volume: 31
Number: 11
Pages: 2490-2497
     


Last updated on February 1, 2013
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This work is supported in part by the Nanoscale Science and Engineering Initiative of the National Science Foundation
under NSF Award Number EEC-0118007.

 		 
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