Smaller particles were more abundant than larger particles and our data indicate as plastic fragments into smaller particles, the potential for accumulation in the tissues of an organism increases. Abundance of microplastic was greatest after 12 days and declined thereafter. Particles translocated from the gut to the circulatory system within 3 days and persisted for over 48 days. After transfer to clean conditions, microplastic was tracked in the hemolymph. Mussels were subsequently exposed to treatments containing seawater and microplastic (3.0 or 9.6 µm). Initial experiments showed that upon ingestion, microplastic accumulated in the gut. The mussel, Mytilus edulis, was used to investigate ingestion, translocation, and accumulation of this debris. The consequences of macroplastic debris for wildlife are well documented, however the impacts of microplastic (<1 mm) are poorly understood. Plastics debris is accumulating in the environment and is fragmenting into smaller pieces as it does, the potential for ingestion by animals increases.
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