Fibers on the Menu: Ingestion and Accumulation of Textile Microfibers in the Oyster Crassostrea gasar

Abstract

Oysters play a vital ecological role as filter feeders, but this function makes them prone to ingesting suspended particles, including textile microfibers from industrial and domestic sources. These fibers, whether synthetic or natural, remain in the environment and can accumulate in tissues, releasing contaminants and posing risks to the health of organisms and the food chain. This study investigated the ingestion of textile microfibers by Crassostrea gasar, analyzing gills, digestive glands, and other tissues after 7, 14, and 21 days of exposure to conventional cotton, organic cotton, polyester, and a mixed fiber type at two concentrations (0.11 and 1.00 mg·L⁻¹) using chemical digestion. Results indicated the highest accumulation in the digestive gland, mainly of polyester microfibers. These findings suggest that this organ is the main site of retention, highlighting potential risks to oyster health and implications for the food chain.