The Influence of Polystyrene Microspheres Abundance on Development and Feeding Behavior of <i>Artemia salina </i>(Linnaeus, 1758)

• Main Authors: Marco Albano, Giuseppe Panarello, Davide Di Paola, Fabiano Capparucci, Rosalia Crupi, Enrico Gugliandolo, Nunziacarla Spanò, Gioele Capillo, Serena Savoca
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-04-01
• Series: Applied Sciences
• Subjects: plastics pollution; brine shrimp; crustaceans; polyethylene; aquatic pollution; developing stage
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/11/8/3352

In the present study, it has been evaluated how 10 µm of polyethylene microspheres can be ingested by <i>Artemia salina</i> (Linnaeus, 1758) larvae within the first 7 days of the life cycle, and the impact on their health. Twelve <i>A. salina</i> larvae (instar I) groups were exposed to different microplastics (MPs) concentrations (0-1-10-10²-10³-10⁴ MPs/mL), with and without <i>Dunaliella salina</i> as a food source. The results highlighted that <i>A. salina</i> larvae ingest MPs in relation to the exposure times in a dose-dependent manner and are significantly influenced by food availability. The highest contamination found was 306.2 MPs/individual at 10⁴ MPs/mL exposure without a food source. No MPs were found in the presence of the food source from 1 to 10² MPs/mL, while contamination was detected at all concentrations of MPs without a food source. The worst effect on the developmental stages was evaluated at 168 h with a food source, with a delay compared to the control of I and II instars at 10³ and 10⁴ MPs/mL, respectively. Furthermore, microalgal feeding was significantly reduced for about 50% in the presence of 10⁴ MPs/mL. These results highlight that aquatic microplastics pollution could affect the <i>A. salina</i>’s feeding behavior and life cycle.