Exposure to petroleum-derived and biopolymer microplastics affect fast start escape performance and aerobic metabolism in a marine fish

Abstract

Evidence suggests that petroleum-derived polymers can impact marine organisms however, little is understood about whether biopolymers affect the behaviour and physiology of marine teleost fish. The aim of this research was to examine the potential effects of microplastics from a petroleum-derived polymer, (polyethylene, PE), and a biopolymer, (edible food coating EFC) on the escape performance, routine swimming, and aerobic metabolism of Forsterygion capito (the mottled triplefin). PE exposure negatively affected fish through longer latencies (∼25 % slower to respond), slower maximum speeds and higher responsiveness in escape performance compared to control fish. Furthermore, fish exposed to PE displayed slower mean speeds and reduced the distance travelled by ∼25 %. After an exhaustive challenge, PE-exposed fish showed higher excess post-exercise oxygen consumption during recovery, compared to control fish. By contrast, EFC exposure only negatively affected maximum speed during an escape. Directionality and mean speed in escape performance, metabolic rate and recovery time were unaffected by biopolymer exposure. With the ever-increasing number of microplastics in the ocean, a shift to biodegradable polymers may be beneficial to marine organisms due to the smaller effect found when compared to petroleum-derived polymers in this study. As a central tool for conservation, this study represents a significant advance to predict the impact of microplastics on wild fish populations.