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Human activities have generated large quantities of microplastics that can be consumed by filter-feeding organisms as potential food sources. As a result, organisms may experience marked reductions in growth and/or health. To date there has been no investigations connecting microplastics (MPs) with the critically important ribbed mussel Geukensia demissa. Here we examined MP abundances within a bed of G. demissa in New Jersey. Results indicate that MP densities ranged between 11,000-50,000pieces/m2. The abundance of larger MPs (5mm>=1mm) did not vary among sampling sites while the smaller MPs (<1mm) abundances did vary between sampling sites. These smaller MPs also accounted for 79% of MPs recovered from these sites. Based on the higher abundance of smaller MPs, we also investigated MP ingestion/rejection in a laboratory setting. These results confirmed that ribbed mussels can ingest MPs with negative consequences for the buoyancy of plastics rejected in feces and pseudofeces. Copyright © 2018 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

39 citations (Crossref) [2023-10-31] Place: England Khan, Matthew B. Montclair State University, 1 Normal Avenue, Montclair, NJ 07043, USA; The Georgia Sea Turtle Center, Jekyll Island Authority, 214 Stable Road, Jekyll Island, GA 31527, USA. Electronic address: khanm11@montclair.edu. Prezant, Robert S. Department of Environment, Geography and Marine Sciences, Southern Connecticut State University, New Haven, CT 06515, USA. Electronic address: prezantr1@southernct.edu.