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Nylon microfibers develop a distinct plastisphere but have no apparent effects on the gut microbiome or gut tissue

Hannah I Collins1, Tyler W Griffin1, Bridget A Holohan1

  • 1Department of Marine Sciences, University of Connecticut, Groton, Connecticut, USA.

Environmental Microbiology
|September 4, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Blue mussels (Mytilus edulis) exposed to nylon microfibers (MF) showed no negative impacts on their gut microbiome or digestive tissues. This suggests resilience in these bivalves to microplastic ingestion at low concentrations.

Area of Science:

  • Marine biology
  • Ecotoxicology
  • Microplastic research

Background:

  • Suspension-feeding bivalves like mussels ingest microplastics (MP).
  • Potential impacts of MP on bivalve gut health and ecosystem well-being remain unclear.
  • Nylon microfibers (MF) are a common environmental pollutant.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of nylon MF ingestion on the gut microbiome and digestive tissues of the blue mussel, Mytilus edulis.
  • To determine if MP exposure causes damage to the bivalve gut, impacting organism and ecosystem health.

Main Methods:

  • Mussels were exposed to low concentrations (50 and 100 particles/L) of aged nylon MF or Spartina spp. particles for 21 days.
  • A no-particle control group was maintained.
  • Gut microbiome composition, diversity, and tissue integrity were analyzed.

Main Results:

  • Nylon MF developed distinct microbial communities in seawater but did not disturb mussel gut microbial communities.
  • Mussel gut microbial communities remained stable and similar across all experimental groups.
  • No evidence of gut tissue damage was observed in mussels exposed to nylon MF or Spartina spp. particles.
  • Short gut retention times for larger particles likely minimized treatment effects.

Conclusions:

  • Nylon microfibers at tested concentrations do not appear to harm the gut microbiome or digestive tissues of Mytilus edulis.
  • Mussel gut microbiomes exhibit resilience to microplastic ingestion.
  • The findings suggest limited short-term risk to blue mussels from low-level nylon microfiber exposure.

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