Effects of virgin and BaP-adsorbed microplastics ingestion by Manila clams (Ruditapes philippinarum)

Jessica; Shuo Cheng; Jeffrey Scott Cross

doi:10.1016/j.etap.2023.104259

Effects of virgin and BaP-adsorbed microplastics ingestion by Manila clams (Ruditapes philippinarum)

Environ Toxicol Pharmacol. 2023 Oct:103:104259. doi: 10.1016/j.etap.2023.104259. Epub 2023 Sep 1.

Authors

Jessica¹, Shuo Cheng², Jeffrey Scott Cross¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Transdisciplinary Science and Engineering, School of Environment and Society, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1 I4-13 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan.
² Department of Transdisciplinary Science and Engineering, School of Environment and Society, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1 I4-13 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan. Electronic address: cheng.s.ab@m.titech.ac.jp.

PMID: 37660959
DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2023.104259

Abstract

Numerous microplastic-related studies have investigated the impact of plastic materials on the marine food chain. In this study, Manila clams were exposed to microplastic (MP) of various polymer types, shapes, and concentrations to determine the ingestion selectivity and adverse effects caused. Benzo[a]pyrene was introduced as the second stressor to investigate the role of MP as a vector of contaminant. The result of a 2-day acute exposure showed that clams are more likely to ingest those in sphere shapes due to their similarity to microalgae. The feeding rate continuously declined when clams were exposed to at least 2to/L particles. Additionally, co-exposure of MP and B[a]P resulted in higher DNA fragmentation but lower catalase activity compared to single exposure to MP. Our study revealed that the uptake of MP by clams is not only determined by its shape and concentration but also by the presence of existing contaminants.

Keywords: DNA damage; Feeding rate; Ingestion; Manila clams; Microplastic.