Ingestion and effects of micro- and nanoplastics in blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) larvae

It is well known that mussels are exposed to microplastics but ingestion and potential effects on mussel larvae are not well understood. We quantified ingestion and egestion of 100 nm and 2 pm polystyrene beads in blue mussel larvae after 4 h exposure and 16 h depuration using different plastic-to-microalgae ratios. Effects on growth and development of mussel larvae were investigated at 0.42, 28.2 and 282 mu gL(-1) within 15 days of exposure. We found that, on a mass basis, larvae ingested a higher amount of 2 mu m than 100 nm beads, while egestion was independent of particle size and the plastics-to-algae ratio. Although particle egestion occurred readily, microplastics remained inside the larvae. Larval growth was not affected but abnormally developed larvae increased after exposure to polystyrene beads. Malformations were more pronounced for 100 nm beads, at higher concentration and after longer exposure time.