7-18 Plastic Pollution

Session: Undergraduate Research, Part I (Posters)

Presenting Author:

Authors:

Abstract:

Plastic pollution is a growing concern in aquatic environments, yet relatively little is known about how it affects native freshwater mussels compared to marine species. Freshwater mussels act as ecologically important filter feeders and are increasingly vulnerable to microplastic contamination, making them ideal organisms for studying both the biological impacts of pollution and the potential for natural mitigation strategies. This project investigates interactions between freshwater mussels and microplastics, focusing on physiological stress responses, ecological implications for freshwater communities, and mussels’ emerging role as biofiltration tools and bioindicators. Fifteen peer-reviewed studies were reviewed to evaluate these relationships.

The study examines how microplastics influence oxidative stress, energy depletion, and reproductive disruption in freshwater mussels. Research on mussel cage trials and transplantation experiments, including those conducted by Klasios et al. (2021) and the Plymouth Marine Laboratory (2022), were assessed to determine whether mussels can aid in environmental monitoring or contribute to microplastic removal. While mussels effectively reflect patterns of microplastic pollution and show promise as low-cost biofilters, our current knowledge of their contribution to large-scale plastic removal remains limited, especially under natural river conditions.

This project also identifies several critical knowledge gaps, including limited data on plastic impacts on native Virginia mussel species, uncertainty about mussel filtration capacity outside laboratory settings, and a lack of long-term studies examining how microplastic ingestion affects population health. Because these interactions have not been thoroughly studied in Virginia, future research should focus on documenting microplastic exposure in regional mussel populations, evaluating physiological effects under local environmental conditions, and clarifying whether mussels could support evidence-based pollution monitoring or conservation strategies. Addressing these gaps will strengthen our understanding of freshwater plastic pollution and improve future decision-making related to mussel conservation.

© Copyright 2026 The Geological Society of America (GSA), all rights reserved.