Bioavailability of facial glitter in wastewater in relation to uptake by the Blue Mussel, Mytilus edulis

The impact on microplastics in the marine environment has been extensively studied in recent decades due to increasing concern over the effects and usage of plastics. However to date, glitter, a particular form of microplastic has not been studied so it’s impact on the marine environment is not known. This study set out to address the knowledge gap by investigating the physical impact of glitter on a filter feeding organism, the Blue Mussel, Mytilus edulis, which have been used as universal models for pollution uptake and to identify potential impacts in relation to bioavailability of microplastics in the marine environment.
The occurrence of digestive tubule atrophy is an indicator of general health in bivalves; the higher the occurrence of tubule atrophy, the poorer the health of the animal. Calculating the mean percentage reduction of tubule tissue area and mean internal to external tubule perimeter ratio showed no significant difference in digestive gland atrophy within the mussels that were exposed to the glitter compared to the controls. Tearing of the stomach lining and gills were observed histologically, however no glitter was evident in the digestive tract. Gross analysis of whole preserved specimens found glitter sitting on the gills but again not in the digestive tract.
As mussels can selectively filter feed and choose to take up organic matter over inorganic matter, this could provide one explanation as to why glitter was not found in the digestive system as they were fed during the exposure period.