Plastic debris is a prolific contaminant effecting
freshwater and marine ecosystems across the globe. Of growing
environmental concern are “microplastics”and “nanoplastics”
encompassing tiny particles of plastic derived from manufacturing
and macroplastic fragmentation. Pelagic zooplankton are
susceptible to consuming microplastics, however the threat
posed to larvae of commercially important bivalves is currently
unknown. We exposed Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas) larvae
(3−24 d.p.f.) to polystyrene particles spanning 70 nm-20 μm
in size, including plastics with differing surface properties, and
tested the impact of microplastics on larval feeding and growth.
The frequency and magnitude of plastic ingestion over 24 h
varied by larval age and size of polystyrene particle (ANOVA, P
< 0.01), and surface properties of the plastic, with aminated
particles ingested and retained more frequently (ANOVA, P < 0.01). A strong, significant correlation between propensity for
plastic consumption and plastic load per organism was identified (Spearmans, r = 0.95, P < 0.01). Exposure to 1 and 10 μm PS
for up to 8 days had no significant effect on C. gigas feeding or growth at