Oceanic pollution, especially microplastic (plastic particles smaller than 5mm in diameter; MP) contamination, is a widely understood topic, but MP effects on farmland and terrestrial animals are less commonly known and studied. Currently, MP effects on gastropods are unknown, yet gastropods can ingest MPs, and retain them via cutaneous mucus. These MPs may deteriorate in the gastropods’ gastrointestinal tract, suggesting potential toxicity from the plastic materials. Gastropods can uptake parasitic larvae such as brainworm (Parelaphostrongylus tenuis, P. tenuis) via contacting White Tail Deer (Odocoileus virginianus; WTD) feces. Gastropods are intermediate hosts and vectors for brainworm and other nematode and trematode parasites. In the case of P. tenuis, small ruminants (sheep, goats, camelids) are accidental hosts, and infection may be fatal. Gastropod immunity to parasitism may decline if microplastics act as gastropod toxins. In this experiment, six sheep farms in Maine were studied for P. tenuis risk. Gastropods were collected from each farm, digested (via pepsin HCL) and larvae counted via microscopy; 257 of 1182 (21.7%) of gastropods carried MPs, but only 49 of 1182 (4.1%) gastropods carried larvae, and only 15 of 1182 (1.3%) gastropods with larvae also had MPs. MP were more common than larvae; but impact of MPs on gastropod immunity was not clear, and may be better investigated using gastropod tissues. Independent of gastropods, MPs may pose a threat to crops and livestock on Maine farms.

Effect of microplastics on gastropod immunity to Parelaphostronglyus tenuis larvae

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ACS Fall 2022

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.