Effects of nylon microfibers on blue mussels

Microplastics are a ubiquitous emerging contaminant. Ingestion of microplastics may pose a threat to suspension-feeding bivalves. The goal of this study was to examine the effects of a representative microplastic (nylon microfiber) on the gut microbiome of the blue mussel, Mytilus edulis. In the first of three exposure experiments mussels were exposed to either microfibers, a particle control, or no particle for 21 days at a concentration of 50 particles per liter. In the second experiment mussels were again exposed for 21 days at 50 particles per liter, and samples of particles and water were also taken. In the third experiment the particle concentration was doubled to 100 particles per liter.