Accumulation and effects of microplastic fibers in American lobster larvae (Homarus americanus)

Madelyn N Woods; Theresa J Hong; Donaven Baughman; Grace Andrews; David M Fields; Patricia A Matrai

doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111280

Accumulation and effects of microplastic fibers in American lobster larvae (Homarus americanus)

Mar Pollut Bull. 2020 Aug:157:111280. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111280. Epub 2020 Jun 25.

Authors

Madelyn N Woods¹, Theresa J Hong², Donaven Baughman³, Grace Andrews⁴, David M Fields⁵, Patricia A Matrai⁶

Affiliations

¹ Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, 60 Bigelow Dr., East Boothbay, ME 04544, USA; University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5790, USA. Electronic address: [email protected].
² Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, 60 Bigelow Dr., East Boothbay, ME 04544, USA; Pennsylvania State University, Main Campus, 201 Old Main, University Park, PA 16802, USA.
³ Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, 60 Bigelow Dr., East Boothbay, ME 04544, USA; Wichita State University, 1845 Fairmount St, Wichita, KS 67260, USA.
⁴ Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, 60 Bigelow Dr., East Boothbay, ME 04544, USA; Colby College, 4000 Mayflower Hill, Waterville, ME 04901, USA.
⁵ Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, 60 Bigelow Dr., East Boothbay, ME 04544, USA. Electronic address: [email protected].
⁶ Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, 60 Bigelow Dr., East Boothbay, ME 04544, USA. Electronic address: [email protected].

PMID: 32658664
DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111280

Abstract

The effects of microplastic fibers (MPF) on the survival, molting and oxygen consumption rates of larval (I-III) and post-larval (IV) stages of the American lobster, Homarus americanus, were quantified as a function of MPF concentration and food availability. Only the highest MPF concentration decreased early larval survival. MPF did not affect the timing or rate of molting across MPF treatments. While all larval and post-larval stages accumulated MPF under the cephalothorax carapace, stage II larvae and stage IV post-larvae showed the highest and lowest accumulation, respectively. MPF ingestion increased with larval stage and with MPF concentration; under starvation conditions, stage I larvae only ingested them at low MPF concentrations. Oxygen consumption rates were lower only in later larval stages when exposed to high MPF concentrations. Combined, our results indicate that MPF interactions and effects on American lobster larvae are dependent on larval stage, MPF concentration, and presence of food.

Keywords: Gulf of Maine; Ingestion; Microfiber; Molting; Respiration; Survival.

MeSH terms

Animals
Larva
Microplastics
Molting
Nephropidae*
Plastics*

Substances

Microplastics
Plastics