Size-Based Ingestion of Microspheres and Microfibers by Two Freshwater Mussel Species (Dreissena bugensis and Elliptio complanata): Implications for Removal of Microplastic Particles from Aquatic Systems

Collins, Hannah I.; Olatunji, Paul Oluwatimileyin; Holohan, Bridget A.; Shor, Leslie M.; Ward, J. Evan

doi:10.2983/035.044.0214

Article (Scientific journals)

Size-Based Ingestion of Microspheres and Microfibers by Two Freshwater Mussel Species (Dreissena bugensis and Elliptio complanata): Implications for Removal of Microplastic Particles from Aquatic Systems

Collins, Hannah I.; Olatunji, Paul Oluwatimileyin; Holohan, Bridget A. et al.

2025 • In Journal of Shellfish Research, 44 (2), p. 309 - 321

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https://hdl.handle.net/2268/343843

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10.2983/035.044.0214

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Keywords :

bioremediation; Dreissena bugensis; Elliptio complanata; fiber; freshwater mussels; particle capture; plastic; suspension-feeder; Aquatic Science

Abstract :

[en] Suspension-feeding bivalve molluscs encounter and selectively process microplastics (MP; ≤5 mm) in the natural environment. Ingestion and rejection of these particles will affect the potential of bivalves to be used to remove MP from aquatic systems. In this study, the size-based ingestion of multiple shapes and sizes of MP by two species of freshwater mussel was investigated. The quagga mussel, Dreissena bugensis, and eastern elliptio, Elliptio complanata, were delivered MP fibers and spheres ranging from 20 µm to 1 mm in size. Biodeposits (pseudofeces and feces) were collected to examine the number and proportions of each MP type that were either rejected or ingested by each species. Large microfibers and spheres (250 µm, 500 µm, 1 mm) were rejected in high proportions up to 100% by both mussels, whereas the smallest particles (20-µm spheres, 50- and 75-µm fibers) were rejected in proportions as low as 13.25%. The influence of size on the rejection of MP by these animals provides further evidence that suspension-feeding bivalves are ineffective bioindicators of MP pollution. The packaging of MP into biodeposits, however, presents a potential avenue for the removal of MP from aquatic systems and may have implications for the use of bivalves in engineered, nature-based removal systems.

Disciplines :

Aquatic sciences & oceanology

Author, co-author :

Collins, Hannah I.; Department of Marine Sciences, University of Connecticut, Groton, United States

Olatunji, Paul Oluwatimileyin ; Freshwater and Oceanic Sciences Unit of Research, University of Liege, Liège, Belgium

Holohan, Bridget A.; Department of Marine Sciences, University of Connecticut, Groton, United States

Shor, Leslie M.; Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, United States

Ward, J. Evan; Department of Marine Sciences, University of Connecticut, Groton, United States

Language :

English

Title :

Publication date :

2025

Journal title :

Journal of Shellfish Research

ISSN :

0730-8000

Publisher :

National Shellfisheries Association

Volume :

Issue :

Pages :

309 - 321

Peer reviewed :

Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi

Funding text :

The authors thank Brian Haas at the Buffalo State Great Lakes Research Center for assistance in obtaining quagga mussels for this study, Matt Gentry, Kurt Cheng, and Leah Morgan at the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary and Danielle Kreeger at Drexel University for assistance collecting elliptio, and Kayla Mladinich Poole for assistance with experimental procedures and data analysis. The authors would like to extend thanks to Sandy Shumway at the University of Connecticut for guiding the final format and providing helpful suggestions on this manuscript. This work was supported by a National Science Foundation Emerging Frontiers in Research and Innovation grant awarded to J. Evan Ward and Leslie M. Shor, grant # 2029428. The authors also thank the MER Consortium and the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship for their generous support of Paul O. Olatunji in conducting this research project.

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