Microplastic fiber uptake, ingestion, and egestion rates in the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis)

Microplastic fibers (MPF) are a ubiquitous marine contaminant, making up to 90% of global microplastic concentrations. Imaging flow cytometry was used to measure uptake and ingestion rates of MPF by blue mussels (Mytilus edulis). Mussels were fed a diet of Rhodomonas salina and MPF concentrations up to 30 MPF mL(-1), or 0.374% of available seston. Filtration rates were greatly reduced in mussels exposed to MPF. Uptake of MPF followed a Holling's Type II functional response with 95% of the maximum rate (5227 MPF h(-1)) occurring at 13 MPF mL(-1). An average of 39 MPF (SE +/- 15, n = 4) was found in feces (maximum of 70 MPF). Most MPF (71%) were quickly rejected as pseudofeces, with approximately 9% ingested and < 1% excreted in feces. Mussels may act as microplastic sinks in Gulf of Maine coastal waters, where MPF concentrations are near the order of magnitude as the experimental treatments herein.