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

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.

Embryotoxicity characterization of the flame retardant tris(1‐chloro‐2‐propyl)phosphate (TCPP) in the invertebrate chordate Ciona intestinalis

“…Fixed larvae of C. intestinalis were processed based on a standard light microscopy technique (Messinetti, Mercurio, Scarì, et al, 2019). After dehydration, samples were stained in Ponceau Red and embedded in Technovit resin (Heraeus Kulzer) according to manufacturer's guideline.…”

Functional Characterization of Hexacorallia Phagocytic Cells

“…In response to wound healing, bleaching, and disease, putative phagocytes termed amoebocytes migrate to lesion sites (34,(40)(41)(42)(43). Additionally, in response to microplastic exposure, gastrodermal cells that exhibit amoebocyte behavior uptake microplastics (44)(45)(46)(47)(48)(49). Phenotypically, these cells show hallmarks of immune cell morphology such as high intracellular granularity in combination with ameboid morphology (34,(40)(41)(42)(43).…”

Harbouring Aliens: Ports as Habitats for Non-native Species

“…I found differences to stem from relative differences in abundance of species rather than differences in the presence or absence of species between substrate types, so it cannot be discounted that the rates of larval and post-larval survival are influencing these observations 99% of the total number of organisms identified were sessile benthic filter feeders, including the three most abundant species Ascidiella scabra, Ciona intestinalis, and Bugulina stolonifera. The ingestion of microplastics by filter feeding organisms has been well documented and found to impede growth rates as well as increase mortality (Gonçalves et al, 2019;Messinetti et al, 2019). It is unlikely that the plastic substrate used in this study has significantly impeded the development of filter feeders, given the high abundance in which this functional group was recorded and the size of individuals.…”

“…There is the possibility that this effect could influence the further development of the fouling community had the settlement tiles remained in deployment for a longer period of time. However, studies investigating the influence of microplastic ingestion on filter feeders are also conducted over a short time period, no more than 42 days of exposure, as the majority of studies focus on larval and juvenile development (Au et al, 2015;Silva et al, 2016;Martínez-Gómez et al, 2017;Gonçalves et al, 2019;Luan et al, 2019;Messinetti et al, 2019;Bringer et al, 2020). Impacts documented from experimental studies may therefore be negated by the influence of water movement, reducing the concentration of microplastics in the vicinity of the settlement tiles.…”

“…A primary cause for the observed impacts of marine plastics on benthic invertebrates is the toxicity caused by plastic leachates, which has been linked in numerous studies to problems with embryo and larval development (Balbi et al, 2016;Silva et al, 2016;Oliviero et al, 2019;Gardon et al, 2020). Additional problems lie in the ingestion of microplastics which is a particular concern for filter feeding benthic invertebrates and may also impact on the formation of fouling communities through the increased mortality, inhibited food uptake and slower growth rates of adult individuals (Gonçalves et al, 2019;Messinetti et al, 2019). Given the dominance that filter feeders are known to have within fouling communities in the Port of Swansea (Chapters 1, 2 and 3) it became apparent that the use of plastic settlement tiles may be negatively impacting communities.…”