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Evaluation of Microplastics and Microcystin-LR Effect for Asian Clams (Corbicula fluminea) by a Metabolomics Approach

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Abstract

Microplastics (MP) and microcystins (MCs) are two co-occurring pollutants in freshwater ecosystems that pose significant risks to aquatic organisms and human health. This study investigates the interactions between MP and MCs and their effects on the metabolic responses of freshwater aquaculture. Asian clams have been used as an indicator of microplastic pollution in freshwater ecosystems. The present study investigates metabolic responses of Asian clams during microplastic and microcystin-LR stress to identify health impacts and elucidate mechanistic effects of external stressors on Asian clams. A liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC–MS)-based metabolomics approach was used to identify metabolic perturbations and histological section technique was used to assess changes of tissues from different Asian clam treatment groups. The results showed significantly pathological changes in the gills and hepatopancreas in experimental clam compared to control (healthy) clam. Metabolomics revealed alterations of many metabolites in the hepatopancreas of six Asian clam comparison groups, reflecting perturbations in several molecular pathways, including energy metabolism, amino acid metabolism, protein degradation/tissue damage, and oxidative stress. Overall, this study emphasizes the importance of understanding the interactions between MP and MCs and the need for proactive measures to safeguard freshwater ecosystems and human health.

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Availability of Data and Material

The datasets generated during and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Funding

This research was funded by the National Freshwater Genetic Resource Center (FGRC:18537).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Fishery Machinery and Instrument Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Shanghai, 200092, China

    Jiahua Zhang, Jie Wang, Xiaodong Wang, Shikun Liu, Liang Zhou & Xingguo Liu

  2. Key Laboratory of Aquaculture Facilities Engineering, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shanghai, China

    Jiahua Zhang, Jie Wang, Xiaodong Wang & Xingguo Liu

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  1. Jiahua Zhang
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  2. Jie Wang
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  3. Xiaodong Wang
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  4. Shikun Liu
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  5. Liang Zhou
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Contributions

Jiahua Zhang: conceptualization, methodology, writing—original draft. Jie Wang: data curation, formal analysis. Xiaodong Wang: formal analysis. Shikun Liu: visualization. Liang Zhou: visualization. Xingguo Liu: writing—reviewing and editing, validation.

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Correspondence to Xingguo Liu.

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This study was according to the animal experimentation regulations in the Fishery Machinery and Instrument Research Institute. No specific permission was required for the collection of clams.

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Zhang, J., Wang, J., Wang, X. et al. Evaluation of Microplastics and Microcystin-LR Effect for Asian Clams (Corbicula fluminea) by a Metabolomics Approach. Mar Biotechnol 25, 763–777 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10126-023-10238-z

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