Small plastic particles, named microplastics, are abundant in the marine environment and can be ingested by marine organisms. Species with different feeding strategies can be differently affected by the presence of microplastics. Moreover, the impact of these particles can depend on their size. In this study, we analyzed the effects of 1 µm polystyrene particles on larval and juvenile development in the ascidian Ciona intestinalis. As previously reported for 10 µm beads, smaller particles caused a delay in the growth of juveniles, even if this delay was registered only at the highest concentration tested. Instead, larval development was not affected by the presence of microplastics. Histological analysis of juveniles revealed that 1 µm particles, after ingestion, can translocate from the gut to the hemocoelic cavity in just 8 days. As a defense mechanism, plastic spheres can also be phagocytized from specific circulating cells with phagocytic activity. Microplastics confirmed their potential as a threat to marine wildlife, interfering with food uptake and growth.

Ingested microscopic plastics translocate from the gut cavity of juveniles of the ascidian Ciona intestinalis / S. Messinetti, S. Mercurio, G. Scari, A. Pennati, R. Pennati. - In: THE EUROPEAN ZOOLOGICAL JOURNAL. - ISSN 2475-0263. - 86:1(2019), pp. 189-195.

Ingested microscopic plastics translocate from the gut cavity of juveniles of the ascidian Ciona intestinalis

S. Messinetti
Primo
;
S. Mercurio
;
G. Scari;A. Pennati;R. Pennati
Ultimo
2019

Abstract

Small plastic particles, named microplastics, are abundant in the marine environment and can be ingested by marine organisms. Species with different feeding strategies can be differently affected by the presence of microplastics. Moreover, the impact of these particles can depend on their size. In this study, we analyzed the effects of 1 µm polystyrene particles on larval and juvenile development in the ascidian Ciona intestinalis. As previously reported for 10 µm beads, smaller particles caused a delay in the growth of juveniles, even if this delay was registered only at the highest concentration tested. Instead, larval development was not affected by the presence of microplastics. Histological analysis of juveniles revealed that 1 µm particles, after ingestion, can translocate from the gut to the hemocoelic cavity in just 8 days. As a defense mechanism, plastic spheres can also be phagocytized from specific circulating cells with phagocytic activity. Microplastics confirmed their potential as a threat to marine wildlife, interfering with food uptake and growth.
Polystyrene; translocation; tunicate; microplastics; development
Settore BIO/05 - Zoologia
2019
Article (author)
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
TIZO 1616837 Final Proofs.pdf

accesso aperto

Tipologia: Publisher's version/PDF
Dimensione 1.5 MB
Formato Adobe PDF
1.5 MB Adobe PDF Visualizza/Apri
Pubblicazioni consigliate

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2434/661415
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus 26
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 23
social impact