Microplastic ingestion induces asymmetry and oxidative stress in larvae of the sea urchin Pseudechinus huttoni

Abstract

Determining the effects of microplastic (MP) ingestion by marine organisms, especially during the sensitive larval stages, is an important step in understanding wider ecosystem responses. We investigated the ingestion, retention (1–5 μm), and short-term exposure effects (1–4 μm) of spherical MPs by larvae of the sea urchin Pseudechinus huttoni. Larvae ingested MPs in a dose-dependent manner and successfully egested particles after a short retention period. Survival was not significantly affected by exposure to MPs over the 10-day experimental period, however, a teratogenic response in terms of delayed development resulted in an increase of larval arm asymmetry. Additionally, MP exposure resulted in oxidative damage to lipids and proteins in larval body tissue despite a significant upregulation of antioxidant defences. The findings indicate MP exposure may impair cellular function, leading to negative consequences for an organism's fitness and survival.