Environment & Shellfish farming : effects study of microplastics and pesticides on Pacific oyster, Crassostrea gigas, in Pertuis Charentais area

• Main Author: Bringer, Arno
• Other Authors: LIttoral ENvironnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), La Rochelle Université (ULR)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Environnements et Paléoenvironnements OCéaniques (EPOC), Observatoire aquitain des sciences de l'univers (OASU), Université Sciences et Technologies - Bordeaux 1 (UB)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Université Sciences et Technologies - Bordeaux 1 (UB)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-École Pratique des Hautes Études (EPHE), Université Paris Sciences et Lettres (PSL)-Université Paris Sciences et Lettres (PSL)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Université de La Rochelle, Jérôme Cachot, Hélène Thomas-Guyon
• Format: Doctoral or Postdoctoral Thesis
• Language: French
• Published: HAL CCSD 2021
• Subjects: Crassostrea gigas; Microplastics; Pesticides; Ecotoxicology; Early-life development; Oyster; Microplastiques; Écotoxicologie; Stades précoces; Huître creuse; [SDV.SA]Life Sciences [q-bio]/Agricultural sciences; Pacific oyster
• Online Access: https://theses.hal.science/tel-03623085; https://theses.hal.science/tel-03623085/document; https://theses.hal.science/tel-03623085/file/2021BRINGER170374.pdf

Microplastics (MPs) are widely distributed in coastal areas and oceans around the world. MPs are of environmental concern due to their potential impacts on a wide range of marine organisms, so assessing their impact on ecosystems has become an urgent research priority. In addition, the phytosanitary substances regularly used in agriculture flow into coastal environments by runoff. This thesis focused on (i) an exploratory study of a pilot site in Pertuis Charentais (PC) in order to assess the extent of plastic contamination in order to be able to perform toxicity tests on (ii) the early and (iii) late stages of development in the Pacific oyster, Crassostrea gigas. This work provides a first investigation of the plastic contamination state (macro and micro) of a coastline PC pilot study site, where the presence of aquaculture plastics as well as significant concentrations of MPs in beach sediments, have been identified. In addition, the experiments carried out under controlled laboratory conditions, inform us about the toxic effects of PE-MPs and pesticides on the early stages of development (embryotoxicity). Pesticides dosed in PC seawater have shown significant effects at concentrations close to the natural environment, while MPs are toxic at higher concentrations. Effects on development, growth, and swimming behaviour are to be noted. Additional experiments were carried out on later stages in particular oyster spat showed altered valve behaviour following a 25-day exposure to PE-MPs and chlortoluron, under laboratory conditions. Intergenerational effects have been observed with the use of environmental MPs (cocktail of PE, PP and PVC), aged near oyster farms. The quality and success of fertilization was modified as well as the development and behaviour of D-larvae from parents exposed for two months. These initial results will help strengthen the knowledge of the scientific community and inform shellfish industry professionals and stakeholders on the risks of emerging contaminants, such as MPs and pesticides. ...