What’s the deal with the Plastic Soup again?
March 15 2024 That’s what readers of news site nu.nl on their comment platform Nujij were wondering. In a recent […]
The ingestion of microplastics has negative effects on the reproduction cycle of the Pacific cupped oyster. This was the conclusion of scientists researching the physical effects of microplastics on the egg cells, seed cells and on the growth of oyster offspring. The results were published on Februari 1st in the science journal PNAS.
The scientists studied the oysters for two months during their reproductive cycle. The animals were exposed to seawater with microplastics of 2 µm and 6 µm in size. Oysters are filter feeders and as such filter large quantities of seawater to obtain their food. This makes them especially sensitive to the effects of microplastic pollution. The plastics were found to negatively affect their health and reproductive systems.
After the two month period, the female oysters produced 38% fewer egg cells than animals in clean seawater. Similarly, the egg cells of the male oysters were affected. Their sperm exposed to were less mobile than those of the oysters in clean seawater.
The microplastics did not only have negative consequences on the oysters themselves, but also on their offspring. The larva of the plastic ingesting oysters demonstrated development defects and grew more slowly than their counterparts in clean water.
The researchers are as yet uncertain about the effects of microplastics in natural environments on oysters as these animals may come into contact with countless other pollutants. However, the results are comparable with research on other shellfish. For example, recent research also points to microplastics and synthetic fibres causing growth defects in crabs. The research into microplastics raises more and more questions about the health effects of microplastics on marine animals and humans.
March 15 2024 That’s what readers of news site nu.nl on their comment platform Nujij were wondering. In a recent […]
The first Impact Fair is Europe’s largest Impact Experience. An interactive ‘immersive’ experience of impactful examples.
The waste-export to countries outside of the EU has been restricted The Netherlands is against a carpet ban on shipping of plastic waste.
The waste-export to countries outside of the EU has been restricted The Netherlands is against a carpet ban on shipping of plastic waste.