Date of Award

Summer 8-31-2025

Document Type

Open Access Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Marine Sciences and Technology

First Advisor

Juanita Urban-Rich

Abstract

The bay scallop (Argopecten irradians), a commercially and ecologically significant bivalve along the Eastern coast of the United States, has faced severe population declines due to various anthropogenic impacts. At the same time, the proliferation of plastics, particularly in maritime industries, has introduced new threats to marine environments through both physical pollution and chemical leaching. This study aimed to assess the acute toxicological effects of leachates from two commonly used plastic products, polyethylene Netron and polypropylene rope, on A. irradians larvae. Experiments were conducted in June–July 2023 at the Nantucket Shellfish Hatchery. Leachates were prepared by incubating 0.5, 1.0, and 5.0 g of each material in seawater at ambient temperatures for 10 days. D-stage larvae (2–4 days old) were exposed to three leachate treatments (0.5 g/L, 1.0 g/L, 5.0 g/L), along with a control (0.0 g/L). Results revealed significant reductions in larval survival and size at higher leachate concentrations, with polypropylene rope exhibiting greater toxicity than polyethylene Netron. Survival in the 5.0 g/L polypropylene rope group declined sharply by the final time point, while size variability increased across treatments, suggesting potential physiological stress. These findings underscore the need for further research into the ecological effects of plastic leachates on marine organisms, particularly in aquaculture and fisheries-critical regions like New England.

Comments

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